Once Upon A Crime | True Crime Esther Ludlow

In this first episode of season 9 I’ll share the harrowing story of family annihilator, Ronald Gene Simmons. Known for his obsessive need for control and order, Simmons carried out a meticulously planned series of murders in December 1987, ultimately killing 14 of his family members and two others. This episode captures the disturbing details of his life, his manipulative and abusive behavior, and his final act of violent retaliation that led to his arrest, trial, and eventual execution in 1990. 
 
00:00 Introduction to Family Annihilators
00:39 Case Overview: Ronald Gene Simmons
01:33 Early Life of Ronald Gene Simmons
07:16 Family Life and Military Career
22:09 Abuse and Control
38:32 Escalation and Mass Murder
44:05 Aftermath and Legal Proceedings
47:08 Conclusion
Sources: 
“Zero at the Bone,” authors Bryce Marshall and Paul Williams, Pocket Star Books, New York, NY, 1991. https://archive.org/details/zeroatbone00mars/page/n5/mode/2up?view=theater 
https://murderpedia.org/male.S/s1/simmons-ronald-gene.htm
https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/ronald-gene-simmons-3731/ 
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/362847782_Defending_Ronald_Gene_Simmons_A_Question_and_Answer_Session_with_Attorney_John_Harris
 
 
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Links:
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We kick off the ninth season of Once Upon a Crime with an episode that dives into the chilling case of Michael Cummins, a 25-year-old from Westmoreland, Tennessee, who committed one of the state's most horrific mass murders. Cummins, who had a history of mental health issues and violent behavior, murdered eight people, including six family members, in 2019.
00:00 Celebrating a Milestone: 8 Years of Once Upon a Crime
00:47 Start of Season 9: Family Annihilators
01:35 Case Overview: Michael Cummins
02:11 Cummins' Troubled History
02:48 Escalating Violent Behavior
03:34 Cumulative Legal Troubles
06:27 Mental Health Struggles
07:37 2017-2019: Increased Violence and Arrests
14:26 The Massacre
19:29 Investigation and Capture
20:29 Trial and Sentencing
22:40 Community and Family Reactions
25:18 Concluding Remarks 
 
Resources: 
https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/crime/2019/04/30/sumner-county-killings-micheal-cummins-family-victims/3622442002/
​​https://www.newschannel5.com/news/westmoreland-murder-suspect-armed-and-on-the-run
https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/crime/2019/04/29/sumner-county-killings-who-suspect-michael-lee-cummins-tennessee-homicide-mass-murder/3609438002/
https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/news/brain-scans-of-tennessee-man-who-admits-to-killing-eight-convince-prosecutors-to-drop-death-penalty
 
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Links: 
Once Upon a Crime on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponACrimePodcast

In the final episode of Season Eight of 'Once Upon A Crime,’ I delve into the case of Robert Durst, a wealthy New York real estate heir with a mysterious and criminal past. His involvement in several crimes, including the disappearance of his wife Kathie in 1982, the execution-style murder of his friend Susan Berman in 2000, and the murder and dismemberment of his neighbor Morris Black in Galveston, Texas in 2001, was famously told in the HBO documentary series “The Jinx,” in 2015. “The Jinx, Part 2” was just released as a follow-up series this month on HBO MAX and concludes this weekend. 

In this final “Best Of” episode, we revisit my episode on Robert Durst from Season 6, in which I focused on Robert Durst’s involvement in the murder of Morris Black and examined how he was able to get away with murder. 


00:00 Welcome to the Bonus Episode: A Season Finale Reflection
01:57 The Intriguing Case of Robert Durst: A True Crime Deep Dive
08:27 A More Casual Approach to Storytelling
10:15 The Bizarre and Gruesome Tale of Robert Durst in Galveston
18:36 Wrapping Up and Looking Ahead to Season Nine

Links: 
Season 6, Episode 213: Getting Away with Murder - Robert Durst, https://www.truecrimepodcast.com/videos/episode-213-getting-away-with-murder-robert-durst/

Season 6, Episode 214: Getting Away with Murder - Doris Duke, 
https://www.truecrimepodcast.com/s6-ep214-episode-214-getting-away-with-murder-doris-duke/

Season 6, Episode 215: Getting Away with Murder - Ted Kennedy and Chappaquiddick, 
https://www.truecrimepodcast.com/s6-ep215-episode-215-getting-away-with-murder-ted-kennedy-and-chappaquiddick/

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Use my discount code ONCE for 10% off your registration. 

This month in Once Upon a Crime’s “Best Of” series, we highlight significant episodes as the podcast rounds off its eighth year.

This week, I’ve chosen to revisit a story from 2018 about the serial murders of over 500 women in Juarez, Mexico, between 1993 and 2011. You’ll hear about the disturbing pattern of disappearances and murders of young women from that city. The episode also discusses the widespread negligence and victim-blaming by the police, the negative impacts of labeling women based on their employment and economic status, and the appalling cycle of violence that seemed permitted due to a lack of legal repercussions.


07:49 The Border City of Juarez
08:04 Impact of NAFTA on Juarez
10:06 Role of Women in Juarez
17:04 Victim Blaming and Police Negligence

Links: 

Season 2, Episode 87: Last Stop: The Murdered Women of Juarez - https://www.truecrimepodcast.com/s2-ep87-last-stop-diana-the-hunter-of-bus-drivers-and-the-murdered-women-of-juarez/

Let’s Taco ‘Bout True Crime: The Crime Junkie Plagiarism Scandal - https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/11008412

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CrimeCon 2024 in Nashville: https://www.crimecon.com/CC24

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Criminal Coffee - www.criminalcoffeeco.com - Use my discount code UPONACRIME10 for 10% off your order.  A portion of every bag or box of coffee sold is donated to help solve crime! 

This Best Of episode of Once Upon a Crime revisits the mysterious disappearance of Jeanine Sanchez Harms from Campbell, California, in 2001. This case is unique for a number of reasons, including its proximity to my hometown and studio and the shocking, unforeseeable conclusion.  It also stands out due to its 'no body murder' status and complex detective work.

Jeanine, recently divorced, goes missing after a night out involving a somewhat reluctant date and interaction with several individuals, including two men, Alex Wilson and Maurice Nasmeh. The community's efforts to keep the case in the public eye led to critical breakthroughs years later and ended in a shocking conclusion no one could have predicted. 

This episode is presented in a more personal, casual narration style, inviting listeners to delve into the intriguing, tragic mystery surrounding Janine Sanchez Harms.

05:49 The Disappearance of Janine Sanchez Harms: A Detailed Account
10:45 The Investigation Unfolds: Clues and Suspects
15:22 A Break in the Case: The Persian Rug Clue
16:01 Conclusion and Invitation to Explore More


Links: 
Season 6, Episode 227: Murder in My Hometown: Jeanine Sanchez Harms - https://www.truecrimepodcast.com/s6-ep227-murder-in-my-hometown-jeanine-sanchez-harms/

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This episode of 'Once Upon a Crime' revisits a popular series from Season 1 titled 'The Day the Music Died,' focusing on the tragic endings of musical icons, including Selena Quintanilla Perez. 
The episode explores Selena's rise to fame as a star in Tejano music, her groundbreaking achievements, and her untimely death at 23. Additionally, it delves into Selena's early life and career, her family's influence, the formation of Selena y Los Dinos, and her significant impact on Tejano and pop music. The episode also covers her troubled relationship with Yolanda Saldivar, who was convicted of embezzling from Selena’s businesses and ultimately responsible for her tragic death.