Devil Town

4.3 (60)
TRUE CRIME
WEEKLY SERIES

Premium Narrative Series. Ad-free & Early Access.

$5.49/mo or $43.99/yr after trial

Fear and hysteria grip the small town of Gilmer, Texas, when the search for missing teenager Kelly Wilson takes a series of bizarre and shocking turns. Thirty years later, journalist Wes Ferguson returns home to uncover what really happened to Kelly, who has never been found, in this wild, 11-episode true crime podcast. "A thorough examination of the circumstances surrounding Wilson's disappearance and the ensuring hysteria that engulfed Gilmer" - Longview News-Journal Devil Town is a production of Imperative Entertainment. It was written and created by Wes Ferguson. Executive Producer is Jason Hoch. Audio Engineering and editing by Shaine Freeman and Jason Hoch. Original score is by Robert Ellis. Recorded by Austin Sisler at Eastside Studios.

See All Season 1 (12)

TRAILER

Teaser: Devil Town - Series Premieres October 17

Fear and hysteria grip the small town of Gilmer, Texas, when the search for missing teenager Kelly Wilson takes a series of bizarre and shocking turns. Thirty years later, journalist Wes Ferguson returns home to uncover what really happened to Kelly, who has never been found, in this wild, 10-episode true crime podcast. Subscribe now to be ready for the series premiere on October 17. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

S1

•

5 min

In a rugged corner of West Texas, billionaire wildcatters and roughnecks are fueling an oil boom so big it’s reshaping our climate, our economy, and our geopolitics. This modern-day gold rush has sent both big oil companies and scrappy start-ups scrambling to secure a piece of the action. Texas Monthly’s Christian Wallace follows characters along every rung of the oil field ladder, from the executive cutting billion-dollar deals to the itinerant pipeline worker risking life and limb, and from the traveling exotic dancer following the trail of money to those who worry that our planet is on a path to destruction. Meet the people cashing in and those just trying to get by as the world around them is turned upside down. "A beautiful ride filled with levity, even as it delivers troubling forecasts for the future" - The Atlantic 2021 Webby Award Honoree, Podcast Documentary

4.7 (187)

DOCUMENTARY
Buried deep in the past of a quiet southern town lies the legend of Billy Sunday Birt, the most dangerous man in Georgia history. A chance meeting one spring day unravels the truth behind the notorious figure and uncovers new secrets along the way. "A wild tale of moonshine, murder, and mayhem" - Vulture 2021 Webby Award Honoree, Podcast Limited Series

4.7 (234)

TRUE CRIME
The murder of 18-year-old Rhonda Sue Coleman in 1990 has been a thorn in the side of the small community of Hazlehurst, GA for over 30 years. No arrests, no answers, and no justice. The family, friends and townspeople have never let go of the hope of finally getting the answers they so desperately seek. Fox Hunter is a 10-episode series with new episodes publishing Tuesday mornings.

4.7 (119)

TRUE CRIME
Sean Kipe tells the story of former Georgia police officer Michael Chapel, convicted of the 1993 robbery and brutal murder of Emogene Thompson and sentenced to life in prison. However, with the recent surfacing of new information, Chapel’s story may have taken a dramatic turn – one that could potentially prove his innocence. Kipe takes a deep dive into Chapel’s past to find the unbelievable truth behind a story that involves corrupt police officers, crime rings, drug trafficking, steroids, and murder. In the Land of Lies is written, created and hosted by Sean Kipe. Original music from Sean Kipe. Executive Producers are Jason Hoch and Gino Falsetto. Story Editing by Jason Hoch. Audio Engineering by Shaine Freeman. Cover Art and Design by Jeana Sullivan. Consulting Producer is Henry Ball.

4.3 (51)

TRUE CRIME
2022 Webby Award Honoree, Podcast Documentary Limited Series and Specials. The Agent is the remarkable true story of Jack Barsky, the longest-surviving known member of the KGB illegals program operated during the height of the Cold War. Barsky hid in plain sight in America for 10 years, all the while leading dual lives on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. On one fateful day, he was confronted with an impossible choice. The Agent is a production of Imperative Entertainment in association with Windjoy and is created, written, produced and edited by Jason Hoch. Narration by Alden Ehrenreich. Executive Producers are Jason Hoch, Jack Barsky and Alden Ehrenreich. Original score by Jasha Klebe. Sound engineering and additional editing by Shaine Freeman.

4.5 (129)

DOCUMENTARY
"Best Podcasts of 2022" - Financial Times On a January night in 1978, a white light burned through the sub-Arctic sky. It was Cosmos 954, a nuclear-powered Soviet espionage satellite that had malfunctioned and fallen to earth. As the satellite disintegrated, it scattered dangerously radioactive debris across the vast traditional lands of the Dene, Métis, and Inuit in the Northwest Territories of Canada. Operation Morning Light tells the story of the Cosmos 954 disaster, its impact on the land, and the resilience of the communities in the debris field. Operation Morning Light is hosted by Dëneze Nakehk'o, a Denesuline and Dehcho Dene father from Denendeh. It is produced by Aliya Pabani, and written by Michael LaPointe and Dëneze Nakehk'o. Cover art and design by Jeana Sullivan. The story editor is Matt Willis, and Thomas Curry is the managing producer. Scoring and sound-design by Alice Boyd. For Imperative Entertainment, the executive producer is Jason Hoch, and for Vespucci, the executive producers are Daniel Turcan, Johnny Galvin, and Michael LaPointe.

5.0 (32)

HISTORY
Between 1987 and 2001, one American crossed over 1000 migrants from Mexico into the United States, using a variety of wild, comical and harrowing schemes to outwit authorities on both sides of the border. This is the story of a legendary man and unlikely hero, Elden Kidd, who supported his family of five as a Coyoté and gave countless others a chance at a better life.

4.6 (35)

DOCUMENTARY
The first-ever series that defines and exposes the true nature of the underworld: a second economy of dirty money, born from the intersection of organized crime and intelligence operations. They are twin heads of this realm, and they have never been separated. This is the world of MOBSTERS & SPIES.

4.8 (63)

SOCIETY & CULTURE
Over the last 25 years, thousands of women have been viciously murdered or disappeared along the border in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. The investigation into these crimes has revealed a systemic web of corruption, drug violence, sex trafficking, and unchecked globalization that authorities have tried desperately to hide. Hosted by famed investigative journalist Lydia Cacho and produced by a Mexico-based creative team, The Red Note examines the story of the Juarez femicides through the voices of investigators who tried to solve the mystery of these crimes, and the families of the victims, whose lives have been reshaped by tragedy.

5.0 (19)

TRUE CRIME
Billionaire Zappos founder and tech CEO Tony Hsieh was obsessed with happiness and helping people achieve it. After running “the world’s happiest company” for two decades, Hsieh created his experimental community — The Downtown Project — dedicated to pursuing happiness. But what do Tony's life and death reveal about Silicon Valley’s obsession with re-imagining how society functions? "A gripping tale" - The Guardian The Cost Of Happiness is reported and hosted by Nastaran Tavakoli-Far. It is produced by Charlie Towler. Cover art and design by Jeana Sullivan. The story editor is Meara Sharma, and Thomas Curry is the managing producer. Scoring and sound-design by Charlie Brandon-King. For Imperative Entertainment, the executive producer is Jason Hoch, and for Vespucci, the executive producers are Daniel Turcan, Johnny Galvin, and Matt Willis.

4.8 (5)

DOCUMENTARY
Over two decades, Dr. Fredric Brandt went from a small dermatology practice in Miami to being Madonna's personal skincare consultant and the go-to for public figures desperate to stave off aging. His clients loved him. Fashion magazines profiled him. But as Brandt continued to build his empire—a best-selling product line, pristine homes in New York and Miami, and an absurd modern art collection—he was slowly becoming addicted to his own product. Popular speculation has it that it was Martin Short's scathing portrayal of a clearly-based-on-Brandt character in the 'Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt' that pushed him to his death, but the truth is far more complicated. From Justine Harman and the team behind 'Broken Harts.'

4.0 (135)

DOCUMENTARY
Mike Thevis was the son of Greek immigrants, living the American Dream in 1970s Atlanta. He was married and had five kids. He owned one of the largest homes in Atlanta, full of fine art and exquisite furnishings. He built a highly successful business empire. But Thevis made many enemies along the way. This is the story of Mike Thevis, family man, and one of the most notorious criminals you’ve never heard of.

3.6 (54)

TRUE CRIME
In a world where “influence” equals follower counts and likes, there was one woman who, over the course of her career and half a century before, defined the meaning of influence and transformed its power. She went the distance by living a remarkable life beyond the dazzle - breaking ground as the first true influencer. Her name? Elizabeth Taylor. Narrated by Katy Perry, Elizabeth the First is a 10-episode podcast series exploring the life of Elizabeth Taylor as Hollywood icon, mother, wife, entrepreneur, advocate… and influencer. "Sumptuously produced" - The Toronto Star Elizabeth the First is produced by Imperative Entertainment in association with House of Taylor and Kitty Purry Productions. Executive producers are Katy Perry, Jason Hoch, and Stephanie Koff. Elizabeth the First is narrated by Katy Perry, produced by Jason Hoch, and written by Stephanie Koff. Sound Engineering and audio editing by Shaine Freeman and Jason Hoch. House of Taylor Trustees are Quinn Tivey, Tim Mendelson, and Barbara Berkowitz, and its Brand Strategy Consultant is Erin Dawkins. Marshall Eskowitz and Carey Schwartz of Sunset Blvd serve as Producing Partners and represent House of Taylor for Elizabeth Taylor licensing and content opportunities. Jasha Klebe wrote and composed the original score. Additional music provided by Rhys Tivey. Photo Credit: Elizabeth Taylor, ©BertSternTrust photographed by Bert Stern. Cover art and design by Jeana Sullivan. If you’d like to support The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, visit http://elizabethtayloraidsfoundation.org. And, if you’d like to go deeper into the world of Elizabeth Taylor, keep an eye out for the first authorized biography about her life. Elizabeth Taylor: the Grit & Glamour of an Icon by #1 New York Times bestselling author Kate Andersen Brower will be out on December 6.

3.6 (21)

DOCUMENTARY
Between the years of 1967 and 1972 over 300 commercial airplanes were hijacked worldwide, with over 130 of those happening in the United States alone. This period would become known as "The Golden Age of Hijacking." American Skyjacker is the tale of a small-time crook named Martin 'Mac' McNally, who dreamed of the ultimate mile-high score: hijacking a plane and getting away with $500,000 in cash; but Mac's hijacking is just the beginning of a truly epic and incredibly wild true-crime saga.American Skyjacker: The Final Flight of Martin McNally is a ten-episode series.

4.7 (56)

TRUE CRIME
Standoff follows Fred Gómez Carrasco, a drug cartel kingpin and orchestrator of the 1974 Huntsville, Texas, prison siege. The siege was one of the most infamous hostage crises in American history and played out in dramatic fashion over eleven days, all in front of a terrified national audience. One hundred hours of audio containing the actual hostage negotiations and the deadly shoot-out tell the story like never before. "Journalist Wes Ferguson... weaves a fascinating yarn using new interviews as well as unearthed tapes of Carrasco’s hostage-negotiation calls. What emerges is a big bold look at a little-known crime story." - Vulture Standoff is a production of Imperative Entertainment and is written, created and hosted by Wes Ferguson. Executive Producer and Story Editor is Jason Hoch. Audio editing and sound engineering by Shaine Freeman and Jason Hoch. Original music is by Max Baca with Flaco Jiménez on accordion and Tony Gonzalez is the music engineer for the original score. The main theme 'Huntsville' is performed by Ray Benson and is from the 1971 Merle Haggard and the Strangers Album, 'Someday We'll Look Back'.

4.5 (2)

TRUE CRIME

View Subscription FAQs

Wes Ferguson

Host

4.3

out of 5

60 Ratings

So good I’d listen again & I hardly do that

2023-04-02

Wsb13

Wild ride of a heartbreaking story! Starts off one way and takes you on a crazy story you won’t even believe could be true but it is.
Great Listen

2023-01-31

Karla in Canada

Very well done !! Have loved every minute and waiting on more !!
Excellent!

2023-01-16

TinkO'Bell

Very well put together podcast. Much appreciated. I hope for many more future episodes! :)
Unexpectedly wild af

2022-11-14

Hanna Brielle

Don’t be swayed by the review below me that says it not worth listening to - I almost didn’t listen after reading that, but this is truly one of the most gripping, winding, heartbreaking stories I’ve ever listened to. Kelly going missing is the literal tip of the iceberg… unfortunately. Just finished episode 5. Unimaginable. My heart goes out to these folks. 💔🙏
Highest rating possible because only a portion of the episodes are available

2022-11-24

leelee_see

The highest rating I can give is 3-stars as the story does not have an ending on Apple Podcast. It ends at episode 5. Forced cliffhanger. Then you get redirected to a different venue for a subscription. Not a fan of these types of setups.
Meh

2022-11-21

tammennya

It’s a compelling story. The podcast itself is what’s lacking. Takes too long to add next episode and I can’t access episode 5&6. Not worth the monthly fee.
Not great

2022-10-24

Justinc27

The narrators tone comes off so scripted, and almost happy. Doesn’t match the content matter at all. Also, in the first 5 minutes you’re told of everything going on, and whether the victim is alive or dead lol, what’s the point in listening now? Really disappointed.