By the time Michael Peterson went to trial, the case had attracted national attention, particularly after details about his personal life came to light, particularly his numerous affairs with men. The case gained even more attention when it was learned that, in 1985, Michael Peterson’s friend Elizabeth Ratliff died under very similar circumstances to those of his wife. 

With significant evidence against him and no compelling argument for his innocence, Michael Peterson was found guilty of his wife’s murder in 2003. But, as it turned out, that was hardly the end of the story.

References

Associated Press. 2002. "Durham novelist insists wife's death caused by fall on stairs, not beating." Winston-Salem Journal, February 20: 6.

Cain, Brooke. 2022. A ‘Staircase’ timeline from Kathleen Peterson’s death to her husband’s trial and plea. May 10. Accessed July 16, 2026. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article260637047.html.

Curliss, J. Andrew, and Vicki Cheng. 2001. "Death of former candidate's wife under scrutiny." The News and Observer (Raleigh, NC), December 11: B1.

Dalesio, Emery P. 2003. "Prosecution: Death was no accident." Charlotte Observer, October 4: 26.

Griffin, Anna. 2003. "Durham writer found guilty of killing wife." Charlotte Observer, October 11: 1.

—. 2001. "High-profiler gets unwanted attention." Charlotte Observer, December 16: 23.

—. 2003. "Peterson murder case goes to jury." Charlotte Observer, October 7: B1.

Jarvis, Craig. 2002. "Peterson case takes a turn." The News and Observer (Raleigh, NC), May 11: 1.

Jarvis, Craig, and John Sullivan. 2001. "Peterson seen as vibrant, devoted." The News and Observer (Raleigh, NC), December 23: 1.

Johns, Michael. 2002. "Peterson's motive?" The News and Observer (Raleigh, NC), January 20: 28.

Jones, Aphrodite. 2013. A Perfect Husband. New York, NY: Pinnacle.

Kane, Dan. 1999. "Mayoral candidate's fake-wound disclosure splits backers." News and Observer (Raleigh, NC), September 23: 3B.

Lee, Demorris. 2003. "Agent's findings point to beating." The News and Observer (Raleigh, NC), August 15: 1.

—. 2002. "Durham DA seeks exhumation." The News and Observer (Raleigh, NC), October 19: 1.

—. 2003. "Sisters grant autopsy request." The News and Observer (Raleigh, NC), February 17: B1.

—. 2002. "Stepdaughter files suit against Peterson." The News and Observer (Raleigh, NC), October 30: B3.

Lee, Demorris, and Aisling Swift. 2001. "Peterson indicted in death." The News and Observer (Raleigh, NC), December 21: 1.

—. 2001. "Peterson to spend holiday in jail." The News and Observer (Raleigh, NC), December 22: B1.

Lee, Demorris, and Craig Jarvis. 2003. "Autopsy: Peterson friend slain." The News and Observer (Raleigh, NC), April 29: 1.

Modell, Josh. 2018. "The real killer in The Staircase might be -- an owl?" Vulture, June 14.

Murphy, Dennis. 2006. Death at the bottom of the stairs. November 25. Accessed July 16, 2026. https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna15894727.

Peterson, Michael. 2019. Behind the Staircase. Durham, NC: Independently published.

Press, Associated. 2001. "Special grand jury called in death of arts patron." Charlotte Observer, December 20: 23.

Rogers, Patrick, and Lori Rozsa. 2022. Revisit PEOPLE's 2002 Conversation with Michael Peterson, Whose Wife's Death Inspired HBO Max's 'The Staircase'. May 5. Accessed July 16, 2026. https://people.com/crime/people-magazine-2002-interview-with-michael-peterson-the-staircase/.

Saker, Anne. 2003. "Peterson Trial: Trial opens, rival lawyers offer weapon theory, accident scenario to jury." The News and Observer (Raleigh, NC), July 1: 1.

—. 2003. "Sexuality introduced into the trial." The News and Observer (Raleigh, NC), August 8: 1.

Sheehan, Ruth. 2002. "Is Peterson the wrong man, too?" The News and Observer (Raleigh, NC), February 21: 15.

—. 2002. "Win-win tactic for DA." The News and Observer (Raleigh, NC), October 28: 15.

State of North Carolina v. Michael Iver Peterson. 2007. 547A06 (Supreme Court of North Carolina, November 9).

Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)

Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)

Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley

Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally

Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When Kathleen Peterson died in December 2001, it was assumed her death had been the result of an accidental fall down the stairs after combining alcohol and Valium. However, within a few weeks, suspicion fell on Kathleen’s husband, Michael, after the medical examiner concluded that Kathleen’s injuries were consistent with assault, not an accidental fall.

By the time Michael Peterson went to trial, the case had attracted national attention, particularly after details about his personal life came to light. The case gained even more attention when it was learned that, in 1985, Michael Peterson’s friend Elizabeth Ratliff died under very similar circumstances to those of his wife. 

References

Associated Press. 2002. "Durham novelist insists wife's death caused by fall on stairs, not beating." Winston-Salem Journal, February 20: 6.

Cain, Brooke. 2022. A ‘Staircase’ timeline from Kathleen Peterson’s death to her husband’s trial and plea. May 10. Accessed July 16, 2026. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article260637047.html.

Curliss, J. Andrew, and Vicki Cheng. 2001. "Death of former candidate's wife under scrutiny." The News and Observer (Raleigh, NC), December 11: B1.

Dalesio, Emery P. 2003. "Prosecution: Death was no accident." Charlotte Observer, October 4: 26.

Griffin, Anna. 2003. "Durham writer found guilty of killing wife." Charlotte Observer, October 11: 1.

—. 2001. "High-profiler gets unwanted attention." Charlotte Observer, December 16: 23.

—. 2003. "Peterson murder case goes to jury." Charlotte Observer, October 7: B1.

Jarvis, Craig. 2002. "Peterson case takes a turn." The News and Observer (Raleigh, NC), May 11: 1.

Jarvis, Craig, and John Sullivan. 2001. "Peterson seen as vibrant, devoted." The News and Observer (Raleigh, NC), December 23: 1.

Johns, Michael. 2002. "Peterson's motive?" The News and Observer (Raleigh, NC), January 20: 28.

Jones, Aphrodite. 2013. A Perfect Husband. New York, NY: Pinnacle.

Kane, Dan. 1999. "Mayoral candidate's fake-wound disclosure splits backers." News and Observer (Raleigh, NC), September 23: 3B.

Lee, Demorris. 2003. "Agent's findings point to beating." The News and Observer (Raleigh, NC), August 15: 1.

—. 2002. "Durham DA seeks exhumation." The News and Observer (Raleigh, NC), October 19: 1.

—. 2003. "Sisters grant autopsy request." The News and Observer (Raleigh, NC), February 17: B1.

—. 2002. "Stepdaughter files suit against Peterson." The News and Observer (Raleigh, NC), October 30: B3.

Lee, Demorris, and Aisling Swift. 2001. "Peterson indicted in death." The News and Observer (Raleigh, NC), December 21: 1.

—. 2001. "Peterson to spend holiday in jail." The News and Observer (Raleigh, NC), December 22: B1.

Lee, Demorris, and Craig Jarvis. 2003. "Autopsy: Peterson friend slain." The News and Observer (Raleigh, NC), April 29: 1.

Modell, Josh. 2018. "The real killer in The Staircase might be -- an owl?" Vulture, June 14.

Murphy, Dennis. 2006. Death at the bottom of the stairs. November 25. Accessed July 16, 2026. https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna15894727.

Peterson, Michael. 2019. Behind the Staircase. Durham, NC: Independently published.

Press, Associated. 2001. "Special grand jury called in death of arts patron." Charlotte Observer, December 20: 23.

Rogers, Patrick, and Lori Rozsa. 2022. Revisit PEOPLE's 2002 Conversation with Michael Peterson, Whose Wife's Death Inspired HBO Max's 'The Staircase'. May 5. Accessed July 16, 2026. https://people.com/crime/people-magazine-2002-interview-with-michael-peterson-the-staircase/.

Saker, Anne. 2003. "Peterson Trial: Trial opens, rival lawyers offer weapon theory, accident scenario to jury." The News and Observer (Raleigh, NC), July 1: 1.

—. 2003. "Sexuality introduced into the trial." The News and Observer (Raleigh, NC), August 8: 1.

Sheehan, Ruth. 2002. "Is Peterson the wrong man, too?" The News and Observer (Raleigh, NC), February 21: 15.

—. 2002. "Win-win tactic for DA." The News and Observer (Raleigh, NC), October 28: 15.

State of North Carolina v. Michael Iver Peterson. 2007. 547A06 (Supreme Court of North Carolina, November 9).

Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)

Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)

Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley

Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally

Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When Tina Bowen and her sister, Karen, began hearing knocking in the walls of their home in Pepperell, Massachusetts, the girls believed it was their recently deceased mother trying to reach out to them from beyond the grave. In time, however, the knocking became more intrusive and aggressive, and it was soon accompanied by objects being moved around the house and frightening messages left on the walls. After months of torment, the Bowens discovered that it wasn’t a ghost haunting their home, but sixteen-year-old Daniel LaPlante, a boy Tina had briefly dated and who’d become obsessed with her.

Daniel LaPlante was arrested and charged with various crimes, for which he was convicted and served a sentence in a juvenile detention center. Unfortunately, the court’s decision to try LaPlante as an adult meant that he was granted bail and after just one year in detention, he was bailed out and allowed to live with his mother pending trial. It turned out that brief period of freedom was all the time LaPlante needed to find a new object of his obsession and by the time the police learned of his violent intentions, it was already too late.

References

Campbell, Jerome. 2019. Mass. High Court Rejects Early Parole Petition For Man Convicted Of Murder In 1987. June 6. Accessed July 9, 2026. https://www.wbur.org/news/2019/06/06/daniel-laplante-parole-denied.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. Daniel J. LaPlante. 1993. 416 Mass. 433 (Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, November 16).

Conteras, Cydney. 2023. Daniel LaPlante hid in walls before murdering pregnant woman and her children. July 28. Accessed July 7, 2026. https://www.oxygen.com/crime-news/daniel-laplante-murder-priscilla-gustafson-family.

Crimaldi, Laura. 2017. "Doctor doubts killer's remorse." Boston Globe, March 23: B1.

Cullen, Kevin, and Jim Gomez. 1987. "LaPlante ordered to undergo tests." Boston Globe, December 5: 1.

Cullen, Kevin, Diego Ribadeneira, and Doris Wong. 1987. "Suspect in slayings is captured." Boston Globe, December 4: 1.

Cullen, Kevin, Richard Kindleberger, Paul Langer, Diane Lewis, Diego Ribadeneira, and Doris Wong. 1987. "A youth who sowed fear." Boston Globe, December 4: 1.

Lagner, Paul. 1988. "4 more letters given to judge in LaPlante murder case." Boston Globe, September 16: 82.

Lane, Tom. 2021. The Elm Street Nightmare. July 8. Accessed July 7, 2026. https://www.celticssentinel.com/2021/07/the-elm-street-nightmare.html.

Langner, Paul. 1988. "LaPlante convicted, gets life in 3 killings." Boston Globe, October 26: 1.

Ribadeneira, Diego, and Doris Wong. 1987. "Police seeking 17-year-old suspect for slayings of three in Townsend." Boston Globe, December 3: 1.

Ribadeneira, Diego, and Jim Gomez. 1987. "Two families shaken by close calls as suspect in murders roamed free." Boston Globe, December 5: 10.

2015. Your Worst Nightmare. Directed by Pat Rogers. Performed by Pat Rogers.

Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)

Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)

Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley

Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally

Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

During the late 1960s and early 1970s, Stamford, Connecticut  was terrorized by a killer who was strangling women and leaving their bodies by the side of the parkway. After four years and five confirmed victims, police arrested a local self-proclaimed preacher named Benjamin Miller, bringing the murders to an end and closing the case on what the press had dubbed the Bra Murders—or so they thought.

From the moment Miller was arrested, there were some in the community who questioned whether the police had arrested the right man or if they’d simply chosen Miller as a scapegoat. Among other things, Miller had a long history of mental illness and, although he had initially confessed to the murders, he eventually recanted his confession and claimed that detectives had manipulated him into confessing. 

To this day, many Connecticut residents still wonder whether Benjamin Miller was really responsible for the Bra Murders, or if the real killer was allowed to walk free.

References

Arnold, Martin. 1972. "A 'minister' is seized in 5 Connecticut stranglings." New York Times, March 18: 64.

Associated Press. 1973. "Miller ordered to mental institution." Stamford Advocate, March 31: 3.

—. 1972. "Black citizens prodded investigation." The Journal (Meriden, CT), March 18: 5.

Buffa, Denise. 1989. "Ex-postal worker freed in 'Bra Murders'." Stamford Advocate, May 9: 1.

—. 1989. "Maintaining his innocence." Stamford Advocate, May 21: 1.

—. 1989. "State may not try suspect in '73 deaths." Stamford Advocate, April 4: 1.

Connecticut Post. 1972. "Mental patient accused of slaying five women." Connecticut Post, March 17: 1.

—. 1971. "Stamford eyes slaying's link to 'Bra Murders'." Connecticut Post, July 13: 2.

—. 1971. "Strangler's 5th victim found in parkway woods." Connecticut Post, August 23: 1.

—. 1969. "Troopers set skull identity." Connecticut Post, April 11: 1.

—. 1969. "Woman's skeleton found in 3rd parkway mystery." Connecticut Post, April 5: 1.

Gold, Julie Anne. 1982. "Figure in murders seeking his release." Stamford Advocate, December 17: 1.

Gombossy, George. 1989. "Doubt clouds 'solved'Stamford slayings." Hartfort Courant, May 28: 333.

Greenhouse, Linda. 1971. "Police seek clue to Stamford murders." New York Times, August 29: 38.

Neenan, Julia McNamee. 1983. "Defense: 'parkway bra murders' case to be appealed." Stamfor Advocate, November 5: 7.

—. 1983. "New trial denied in parkway slayings." Stamford Advocate, October 20: 1.

Peterson, Lisa Marie. 1988. "Ex-postal clerk may go free in 'Bra Murders' case." Stamford Advocate, May 25: 1.

Ressler, Marcy, and Frank Fedeli. 1981. "Police say body found near Merritt Parkway may be missing woman." Stamford Advocate, August 21: 1.

Ross, Don. 1973. "Bra killer insane, sent to instiution." Stamford Advocate, January 31: 1.

Seminoff, Nick. 1972. "Norwalk man charged on 5 counts in Merritt Parkway 'Bra' Murders." Stamford Advocate, March 17: 1.

Stamford Advocate. 1972. "Attempted murder charge follows parkway assault." Stamford Advocate, July 29: 1.

—. 1972. "Bra suspect is competent." Stamford Advocate, May 12: 1.

—. 1971. "'Concerned Black Citizens' urge intense murder probe." Stamford Advocate, August 27: 1.

—. 1971. "Mayor says police push murder probe." Stamford Advocate, August 30: 1.

—. 1972. "Murder suspect back in hospital." Stamford Advocate, March 20: 12.

—. 1971. "'Parkway Bra Murders' probe continues." Stamford Advocate, December 29: 17.

—. 1968. "Slaying victim was scheduled in court today." Stamford Advocate, May 6: 1.

—. 1971. "Stamford woman strangled." Stamford Advocate, August 23: 1.

Thompson, M. Cordell. 1972. "Police arrest white preacher in bizarre Conn. murder cases." Jet, April 6: 52.

Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)

Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)

Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley

Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally

Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

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Weirdos! For August's BONUS EPISODE we are focusing on an entity that has MANY faces and wears MANY hats: The bogeyman! For as long as people have been telling stories, these supernatural beings have been lurking in the woods, or in the dark alleys, or under the bed. They might look different depending on the culture they come from, or be called by another name, but their function in society is consistent: to invoke fear!

References

Briggs, Katharine. 1978. Encyclopedia of Fairies: Hobgoblins, Brownies, Bogies, & Other Supernatural Creatures. New York, NY: Pantheon.

Carbonell, Ana Maria. 1999. "From Llorona to Gritona: Coatlicue in Feminist Tales by Viramontes and Cisneros." MELUS 53-74.

Delsol, Christine. 2012. "Mexico’s legend of La Llorona continues to terrify." SF Gate, October 9.

Jones, Abigail. 2014. "The girls who tried to kill for Slender Man." Newsweek, August 22.

Leddy, Betty. 1988. "La Llorona in Southern Arizona." Perspectives in Mexican American Studies 9-16.

Newsroom. 2019. "Who was ‘Spring-heeled Jack’ who scared the women of Scotland?" The Scotsman, April 29.

Peck, Andrew. 2015. "Tall, Dark, and Loathsome: The Emergence of a Legend Cycle in the Digital Age." Journal of American Folklore 333-348.

Polidoro, Massimo. 2002. "Return of Spring-Heeled Jack." Skeptical Inquirer 22-24.

Simpson, Jacqueline, and Steve Roud. 2000. A Dictionary of English Folklore. Oxford, UK: Oxford UP.

Strebel, Erika. 2015. "Judge says keeping Slender Man case in adult court will prevent repeat of crime." Wisconsin Law Journal, August 10.

The Times. 1838. "Spring Heeled Jack - Outrage on a young lady." The Times, February 25: 7.

Times, The. 1838. "The late outrage at Old Ford." The Times, March 2: 7.

Vickery, Roy. 1983. "Lemna Minor and Jenny Greenteeth." Folklore 247-250.

Warner, Marina. 1999. No Go, the Bogeyman: Scaring, Lulling, and Making Mock. London, UK: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

Young, Simon. 2019. Folklore Pamphlet: The Sources for Jenny Greenteeth and Other English Freshwater Faries. Pamphlet, Simon Young.

Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)

Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)

Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley

Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally

Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

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Weirdos! Grab your PJ's, some Aqua Net, and your favorite blue eye shadow and get ready to burn the midnight oil with us! This time, Deb has found 90's tales that will ensure that you're not the first to fall asleep at the slumber party... OH! And these tales are BY you FOR  you and ALL ABOUT YOU juuuuust in case you were wondering! Don't forget to check out the YOUTUBE version is packed with extra Nicholas footage!

If you’ve got a listener tale please send it to Deb by emailing us at  [email protected] with “Listener Tales” somewhere in the subject line, and if you share pictures, please let us know if we can share them with fellow weirdos! :)

Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)

Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)

Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley

Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally

Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When Ellie Green left her house on the night of June 19, 2019, she thought she and her mother would continue their conversation the following day. However, Ellie says that she was shocked to discover that, just four days later, her father had her mother committed to a psychiatric hospital and she wouldn’t be allowed to see her. She was even more shocked when, a month later, she says that she was told that her mother had died from a stroke while in the hospital. Devastated by her mother's death, Ellie wanted an explanation of how someone so young could suddenly die, but each question was met with vague and confusion answers.

This was just the beginning of the mystery surrounding her mother's disappearance.

If anyone has any information about Angela Green’s disappearance, investigators urge them to call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS. Information can also be sent to Steve Ridge directly at (319) 573-0657 or [email protected].

References

Adler, Eric. 2023. "$25k reward offered for information on missing woman." Kansas City Star, March 4: 1.

—. 2020. "'Dateline NBC' to explore case of missing Johnson County mom." Kansas City Star, October 29: 4.

—. 2020. "Teen seeks truth of mom's mysterious disappearance." Kansas City Star, July 26: 1.

—. 2022. "Three-year search from missing Prairie Village woman heats up." Kansas City Star, May 4: 10.

2026. People Magazine Investigates. Directed by Bruno Bahunek.

Honeycutt, Sherae. 2020. Daughter of missing Prairie Village woman aching for answers as disappearance surpasses a year. February 26. Accessed August 18, 2026. https://fox4kc.com/news/exclusive-daughter-of-missing-prairie-village-woman-aching-for-answers-as-disappearance-surpasses-a-year/.

—. 2020. Recorded phone calls involving missing Prairie Village woman’s case raise more questions. October 29. Accessed August 19, 2026. https://fox4kc.com/news/recorded-phone-calls-involving-missing-prairie-village-womans-case-raise-more-questions/.

Pelisek, Christine. 2026. A Mom Went Missing in 2019 After Arguing with Daughter. Her Husband Stopped Talking to Investigators a Long Time Ago. February 21. Accessed August 21, 2026. https://people.com/mom-vanished-2019-angela-green-daughter-wants-answers-11911133.

Shriner, Zoe, and Betsy Weber. 2024. Five years since Prairie Village mom Angela Green disappeared without a trace. September 11. Accessed August 18, 2026. https://www.kctv5.com/2024/09/12/kc-unsolved-five-years-since-prairie-village-mom-angela-green-disappeared-without-trace/.

Webster, Betsy. 2026. Private investigator claims new lead on Prairie Village mom’s disappearance, police not yet informed. March 2. Accessed August 18, 2026. https://www.kctv5.com/2026/03/03/private-investigator-claims-new-lead-prairie-village-moms-disappearance-police-not-yet-informed/.

Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)

Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)

Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley

Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally

Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

After killing his family in the winter of 1971, John List went on the run, initiating a worldwide manhunt that would last nearly twenty years before he was finally apprehended. In that time, the List case would become one of the largest and most notorious investigations since the kidnapping of the Lindbergh baby.

References

Associated Press. 1972. "John List is still missing and local police are baffled." Courier-News (Bridgewater, NJ), February 22: 9.

—. 1972. "Highjack-slaying ties denied." Press of Atlantic City, January 15: 4.

Bailey, Bruce. 1972. "Worldwide hunt fails to find Wrstfield exec." The Star-Ledger (Newark, NJ), June 11: 1.

Balog, Kathy. 1990. "The confession to his pastor was the most damning of all." The Courier-News (Bridgewater, NJ), April 13: 1.

Benford, Timothy, and James Johnson. 1991. Righteous Carnage: The List Murders in Westfield. New York, NY: Scribner.

Bullock, Marilyn, and Bruce Bailey. 1971. "The Lists were a neighborhood mystery." The Star-Ledger (Newark, NJ), December 9: 11.

Chung, Connie. 2002. 1971 family killer breaks silence. February 20. Accessed August 1, 2026. https://abcnews.com/2020/story?id=132646&page=1.

Cohen, Robert. 1971. "'Daddy, you're all I have left...'." The Star-Ledger (Newark, NJ), December 12: 1.

—. 1971. "Husband hunted in mass slaying." The Star-Ledger (Newark, NJ), December 9: 1.

Douthat, Strat. 1989. "The fugitive." Los Angeles Times, June 18: 2.

Fiedler, Lore. 1973. "John List disappearance still unsolved." The Courier-News (Bridgewater, NJ), December 3: 11.

—. 1971. "Westfielder sought in slaying of 5." The Courier-News (Bridgewater, NJ), December 8: 1.

Hampton, Pat. 1980. "After 9 years, John List still a suspect-and still a mystery." The Courier-News (Bridgewater, NJ), December 6: 5.

Hann, Christopher. 1989. "For stunned neighbors, news of arrest hits home." The Courier-News (Bridgewater, NJ), June 2: 7.

LA Times Wire Service. 1989. "Suspect in family-slaying may be famed D.B. Cooper." Los Angeles Times, June 30.

McNeel, John M. 1976. "What ever happened to John List." The Courier-News (Bridgewater, NJ), October 15: 11.

Romano, Mary. 1989. "For the family, a chapter closes, a wound reopens." The Courier-News (Bridgewater, NJ), June 2: 1.

Stout, David. 2008. "John E. List, 82, killer of 5 family members." New York Times, March 25.

Sullivan, Joseph. 1990. "Slaying suspect saw 2 choices, doctor testifies." New York Times, April 7: 30.

—. 1990. "Suspect wrote about killing family in '71." New York Times, March 29.

Talmont, Tek, and Jill Vejnoska. 1990. "Attorney admits client is John List." The Courier-News (Bridgewater, NJ), February 15: 1.

The Courier-News. 1990. "Two specialists describe List." The Courier-News (Bridgewater, NJ), April 10: 1.

The Courier-Times. 1976. "Psychic gleaned varied impressions of List." The Courier-Times (Bridgewater, NJ), October 15: 11.

Thompson, Robert. 1972. "List case unsoved after seven months." The Courier-News (Bidgewater, NJ), June 28: 1.

Vejnoska, Jill. 1990. "Defense: List killed with love in his heart." The Courier-News (Bridgewater, NJ), April 3: 1.

—. 1990. "Doctor recounts List's getaway." The Courier-News (Bridgewater, NJ), April 11: 1.

—. 1990. "Doctor: Stressed List just snapped." The Courier-News (Bridgewater, NJ), April 7: 1.

—. 1989. "FBI nabs John List." The Courier-News (Bridgewater, NJ), June 2: 1.

—. 1990. "Letter: List shot family, prayed." The Courier-News (Bridgewater, NJ), March 29: 1.

—. 1990. "List 'didn't trust God' to help him." The Courier-News (Bridgewater, NJ), April 6: 1.

—. 1990. "List guilty." The Courier-News (Bridgewater, NJ), April 13: 1.

—. 1989. "Prime-time spotlight focuses on long-time fugitve John Lisr." The Courier-News (Bridgewater, NJ), May 22: 1.

—. 1989. "Westfield cops hope TV can help catch John List." The Courier-News (Bridgewater, NJ), April 14: 1.

Wirt, George. 1977. "5-Year hunt: Cops 'haven't forgotten' slaughter of famil." The Star-Ledger (Newark, NJ), May 30: 10.

Yates, Terry, and Robert Thompson. 1971. "'Nobody knew them too well'." The Courier-News (Bridgewater, NJ), December 8: 1.

Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)

Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)

Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley

Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally

Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

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In early December 1971, after a month of watching the lightbulbs in the List house slowly burn out one after another, neighbors finally became concerned about the List family and called the Westfield, NJ police to report their suspicions. Acting on the calls, officers arrived at house on the morning of December 7 to perform a wellbeing check, and when no one answered the door, they managed to gain access to the house through a basement window. 

When they reached the first floor, the officers found the bodies of the List family—including the couple’s three children—dead from gunshot wounds to the head they’d suffered a month earlier. Noticeably absent from the remains in the house were those of the family patriarch, John List. In his office, investigators discovered a letter List had written to the pastor of his local church, in which he claimed to have murdered his family in order to spare them the pain of living in a world he believed had become corrupt and morally bankrupt.

References

Associated Press. 1972. "John List is still missing and local police are baffled." Courier-News (Bridgewater, NJ), February 22: 9.

—. 1972. "Highjack-slaying ties denied." Press of Atlantic City, January 15: 4.

Bailey, Bruce. 1972. "Worldwide hunt fails to find Wrstfield exec." The Star-Ledger (Newark, NJ), June 11: 1.

Balog, Kathy. 1990. "The confession to his pastor was the most damning of all." The Courier-News (Bridgewater, NJ), April 13: 1.

Benford, Timothy, and James Johnson. 1991. Righteous Carnage: The List Murders in Westfield. New York, NY: Scribner.

Bullock, Marilyn, and Bruce Bailey. 1971. "The Lists were a neighborhood mystery." The Star-Ledger (Newark, NJ), December 9: 11.

Chung, Connie. 2002. 1971 family killer breaks silence. February 20. Accessed August 1, 2026. https://abcnews.com/2020/story?id=132646&page=1.

Cohen, Robert. 1971. "'Daddy, you're all I have left...'." The Star-Ledger (Newark, NJ), December 12: 1.

—. 1971. "Husband hunted in mass slaying." The Star-Ledger (Newark, NJ), December 9: 1.

Douthat, Strat. 1989. "The fugitive." Los Angeles Times, June 18: 2.

Fiedler, Lore. 1973. "John List disappearance still unsolved." The Courier-News (Bridgewater, NJ), December 3: 11.

—. 1971. "Westfielder sought in slaying of 5." The Courier-News (Bridgewater, NJ), December 8: 1.

Hampton, Pat. 1980. "After 9 years, John List still a suspect-and still a mystery." The Courier-News (Bridgewater, NJ), December 6: 5.

Hann, Christopher. 1989. "For stunned neighbors, news of arrest hits home." The Courier-News (Bridgewater, NJ), June 2: 7.

LA Times Wire Service. 1989. "Suspect in family-slaying may be famed D.B. Cooper." Los Angeles Times, June 30.

McNeel, John M. 1976. "What ever happened to John List." The Courier-News (Bridgewater, NJ), October 15: 11.

Romano, Mary. 1989. "For the family, a chapter closes, a wound reopens." The Courier-News (Bridgewater, NJ), June 2: 1.

Stout, David. 2008. "John E. List, 82, killer of 5 family members." New York Times, March 25.

Sullivan, Joseph. 1990. "Slaying suspect saw 2 choices, doctor testifies." New York Times, April 7: 30.

—. 1990. "Suspect wrote about killing family in '71." New York Times, March 29.

Talmont, Tek, and Jill Vejnoska. 1990. "Attorney admits client is John List." The Courier-News (Bridgewater, NJ), February 15: 1.

The Courier-News. 1990. "Two specialists describe List." The Courier-News (Bridgewater, NJ), April 10: 1.

The Courier-Times. 1976. "Psychic gleaned varied impressions of List." The Courier-Times (Bridgewater, NJ), October 15: 11.

Thompson, Robert. 1972. "List case unsoved after seven months." The Courier-News (Bidgewater, NJ), June 28: 1.

Vejnoska, Jill. 1990. "Defense: List killed with love in his heart." The Courier-News (Bridgewater, NJ), April 3: 1.

—. 1990. "Doctor recounts List's getaway." The Courier-News (Bridgewater, NJ), April 11: 1.

—. 1990. "Doctor: Stressed List just snapped." The Courier-News (Bridgewater, NJ), April 7: 1.

—. 1989. "FBI nabs John List." The Courier-News (Bridgewater, NJ), June 2: 1.

—. 1990. "Letter: List shot family, prayed." The Courier-News (Bridgewater, NJ), March 29: 1.

—. 1990. "List 'didn't trust God' to help him." The Courier-News (Bridgewater, NJ), April 6: 1.

—. 1990. "List guilty." The Courier-News (Bridgewater, NJ), April 13: 1.

—. 1989. "Prime-time spotlight focuses on long-time fugitve John Lisr." The Courier-News (Bridgewater, NJ), May 22: 1.

—. 1989. "Westfield cops hope TV can help catch John List." The Courier-News (Bridgewater, NJ), April 14: 1.

Wirt, George. 1977. "5-Year hunt: Cops 'haven't forgotten' slaughter of famil." The Star-Ledger (Newark, NJ), May 30: 10.

Yates, Terry, and Robert Thompson. 1971. "'Nobody knew them too well'." The Courier-News (Bridgewater, NJ), December 8: 1.

Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)

Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)

Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley

Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally

Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Tragic Case of Molly Bish 

Molly Bish was 16 years old and working as a lifeguard at Comins Pond in Warren. She’d only been working there about a week on June 27th, 2000 when her mother dropped her off for her 10:00 shift. Swimmers would be arriving any minute, but just minutes later when they started piling in for swim lessons, there was no lifeguard on duty. In a matter of minutes Molly vanished, but it would be three years before her partial remains would be discovered, and over twenty with no answers. This case remains unsolved to this day, although the investigation is very much active. **Anyone With information about the Molly Bish case should call the State Police tip line at 508-453-7575

Morbid Chats With Heather Bish

Before recording episode 214, The Tragic Case of Molly Bish, we reached out to Molly’s sister Heather who has been working tirelessly to get Molly’s case solved. Heather was kind enough to join us for an episode to give us an inside scoop on all the work she’s been doing to get Molly’s case solved, and just to let us in on who Molly was as a sister, a daughter and as a friend. Let’s all work together and get this case solved! 

TO HELP YOU CAN:

Call the MA state police with any tips regarding Molly’s case at 508-453-7575

Contact your regional State Legislator to ask them to support S1595, An act permitting familial searching and partial DNA matches in investigating certain unsolved crimes. (You can find their numbers and email here:

Molly Bish Foundation

Sources:

https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-2003-06-22-0306220015-story.html

https://www.telegram.com/article/20090128/NEWS/901280281

https://www.boston25news.com/news/molly-bish-rodney-stanger-may-have-crossed-paths-1/141310989/

https://www.bizjournals.com/boston/blog/mass_roundup/2013/09/molly-bish-remains-palmer-racetrack.html

https://storiesoftheunsolved.com/2019/04/10/the-murder-of-molly-bish/: 

https://www.masslive.com/news/2013/09/family_of_murdered_teenager_mo.html
 

Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)

Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)

Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley

Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally

Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Weirdos! We're revisiting Whitechapel in this MASSIVE episode which includes all 5 episodes of Alaina's Roman Empire, Jack the Ripper!

Alaina takes us to the streets of Whitechapel for part one of Jack The Ripper, and boy is it a stark picture she’s painting us. Whitechapel was dark, damp, dirty and downright desolate at the time Jack The Ripper was roaming the streets. People were living in all kinds of horrible conditions, butchers and slaughterhouse workers were walking around covered in blood and because things were like this, it made the perfect stomping ground for a vicious murderer. Mary Ann "Polly" Nichols was the Ripper’s first victim and the main person that we’ll go over in part one while Alaina also gives us a background on a couple of other potential early victims. Stay tuned for (we’re thinkin’) three more!

Jack the Ripper part two brings us the absolutely horrifying murder of Annie Chapman. Annie’s story, much like the rest of the women who were killed, is incredibly devastating. She was struggling with sobriety when she landed on the shady streets in Spitalfields in the East end and was having a terrible time trying to find work to just get by. Robert Anderson, the head of the criminal investigations department was still on vacation, Sir Charles Warren’s ego stepped on the scene and they were not even one step closer to uncovering the culprits identity.

Jack the Ripper Part three will cover what is known as, “the double event.” Both Elizabeth Stride and Catherine Eddowes were found killed on this September night. Both women shared a lot in common with the previous two victims. They’d struggled through pretty much their entire lives just to make ends meet and then were met with this as their end. In this part we’ll start to entertain the theory that Jack perhaps had some kind of medical background and you’ll see just why one might think so once you dive into the episode! Hold onto your butts!

Jack the Ripper part 4 is here weirdos! This installment will cover the horrific, and most brutal murder yet: the murder of Mary Jane Kelly. Mary Jane was the youngest victim at just twenty five years old and the only victim that was killed in her own room. When the police arrived on scene they were shocked, but still not any closer to uncovering the identity of the ripper. OH and also, Alaina has some HOT TAKES on the letters we went over in part 3.

YOU HAVE REACHED THE CONCLUSION!!!! Alaina’s final part of Jack the Ripper is here and we are talking all things suspects, confirmation bias, science, mitochondrial DNA and Patricia Cornwell. Do we know who Jack the Ripper is by now? No. Do we know who he isn’t? Sorta. Stay tuned for years to come because Alaina claims one day she will have our answers!!!

"SOMEDAY I WILL"- Alaina

Check out these great books on the case:

Jack the Ripper and The Case For Scotland Yard's Prime Suspect by Robert House

The Complete Jack the Ripper by Donald Rumbelow

The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper by Hallie Rubenhold

The Hidden Lives of Jack the Ripper's Victims by Robert Hume

The Ripper Code by Thomas Toughill

Jack the Ripper: Scotland Yard Investigates by Stewart Evans & Donald Rumbelow

Jack the Ripper: The definitive Casebook by Richard Whittington-Eagan

Portrait of a Killer: Jack the Ripper by Patricia Cornwell

Also check out these sites on the case:

JackTheRipper.org

Casebook: Jack The Ripper

Jack the Ripper Tour

History blog mentioned in the episode:

The History Girls

An even DEEPER dive into this case:

Season 3 of Unobscured with Aaron Mahnke

Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)

Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)

Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley

Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally

Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.