9 episodes
The Execution of Bonny Lee Bakley Wondery
-
- True Crime
-
-
4.0 • 79 Ratings
-
On May 4, 2001, Bonny Lee Bakley was found fatally shot in a car on a dark North Hollywood street. The prime suspect was her husband, famed actor Robert Blake. But Bonny, a longtime con artist, had plenty of enemies. She left behind a trail of men she’d scammed, and she had a volatile relationship with Christian Brando, the troubled son of movie star Marlon Brando.
Not since the O.J. Simpson case had the eyes of the nation been so fixated on a homicide. The search for Bonny’s killer took detectives on an eleven-month odyssey across the country and through Hollywood's underbelly of hustlers, drug addicts, and would-be hitmen. It would be the most expensive murder investigation in LAPD history to date.
This is the story of Robert and Bonny’s toxic relationship, her shocking murder, and his chaotic trial. Did actor Robert Blake kill his wife? Or was the murder someone else's vendetta?
From Wondery, and the team behind the hit series Hollywood & Crime (The Dating Game Killer, The Wonderland Murders, Death of Starlet) comes a six-part series about love, obsession and fame gone wrong. Co-hosted by Tracy Pattin and Josh Lucas.
-
United Singles Incorporated
Bonny Lee Bakely is found dead in a car in Studio City. When the press learns she is the wife of someone famous, all hell breaks loose. Detective Ron Ito and his team of Homicide Special detectives have their work cut out for them. Bonny Lee was a con artist who had fleeced hundreds of men out of money, but it’s her husband, Robert Blake, who is of primary interest.
Listen ad-free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad-free listening. Available in the Wondery App https://wondery.app.link/BonnyLee
Please support us by supporting our sponsors!
PARACHUTE HOME - Visit parachutehome.com/bonny
TALKSPACE - Use promo code BONNY during sign up to get $100 off your first month at talkspace.com
AUDIBLE - Visit audible.com/lacrime or text LA Crime to 500500 to try Audible free for 30 days
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. -
I’m Not Going Down
The Homicide Special squad finds the weapon that killed Bonny in a dumpster at the crime scene. They suspect her husband Robert Blake. But when they search Blake’s house they don’t find any evidence. Bonny’s sister Margerry reveals shocking details about Blake and Bonny’s relationship.
Listen ad-free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad-free listening. Available in the Wondery App https://wondery.app.link/BonnyLee
Please support us by supporting our sponsors!
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. -
Double Helix, Double Crossed
A pregnant Bonny tries to convince Robert Blake they belong together. Blake hires a private investigator to dig into Bonny's past and is stunned with what he learns. Detective Ito suspects someone close to the actor is hiding information about the murder. Meanwhile, Blake's lawyer and the LAPD clash over Bonny's image in the press. Is she a cold-blooded con artist or is Blake a cold-blooded killer?
Listen ad-free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad-free listening. Available in the Wondery App https://wondery.app.link/BonnyLee
AUDIBLE - Visit audible.com/lacrime or text LA Crime to 500500 to try Audible free for 30 days
PARACHUTE HOME - Visit parachutehome.com/bonny
Please support us by supporting our sponsors!
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. -
For Better, for Worse
A retired stuntman claims Blake tried to hire him to kill Bonny. Then another witness comes forward, saying a second retired stuntman was approached with the same offer. But when the Homicide Special Squad tries to get him to talk, he clams up. Meanwhile Bonny holds out hope she and Blake can work things out.
Listen ad-free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad-free listening. Available in the Wondery App https://wondery.app.link/BonnyLee
TALKSPACE - Use promo code BONNY during sign up to get $100 off your first month at talkspace.com
Please support us by supporting our sponsors!
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. -
The Stuntman Cometh
Bonny’s belated honeymoon with Robert Blake takes a strange turn. Meanwhile, detectives learn about a key piece of evidence that could lead to Blake’s arrest. But first they’ve got to find it. Ito gives an old stuntman an offer he can’t refuse.
Listen ad-free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad-free listening. Available in the Wondery App https://wondery.app.link/BonnyLee
PARACHUTE HOME - Visit parachutehome.com/bonny
AUDIBLE - Visit audible.com/lacrime or text LA Crime to 500500 to try Audible free for 30 days
TALKSPACE - Use promo code BONNY during sign up to get $100 off your first month at talkspace.com
Please support us by supporting our sponsors!
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. -
The Trial Begins
Almost a year after Bonny’s murder, Detective Ito finally arrests Robert Blake. Blake pulls off a surprise move to have his side of the story told. The defense discovers a potential bombshell witness. The prosecution begins their case by painting Blake as a cold blooded killer.
Listen ad-free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad-free listening. Available in the Wondery App https://wondery.app.link/BonnyLee
Please support us by supporting our sponsors!
AUDIBLE - Visit audible.com/lacrime or text LA Crime to 500500 to try Audible free for 30 days
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Customer Reviews
Hard to feel sorry for the main character
I really enjoy most of the wondery podcasts, this one is no exception. I like the way it’s made into a story, however I really struggle to feel sorry for the victim here. the way she’s portrayed is as a celebrity wannabe desperate to marry anyone famous, con artist and gold digger so it’s hard to then feel bad for her as they don’t become Saints in death!
Odd case definitely buy do like the storytelling in this
Interesting
Tragic story about the two main characters. Sad that he was minding his own business and gets conned with a desperate ending. Sad that a baby was used to close the con. I felt for Bonnie whom was clearly lost in life and I felt that it’s so sad that the killer or killers got away with it. Well produced as always by this company and well presented.
Nathan
A great true crime listen. Worth every minute.