Once Upon A Crime

Esther Ludlow
  • 4.6 (4.7K)
  • True Crime
  • Updated Weekly

Step into the darker side of history with Once Upon A Crime, a true-crime podcast that delves deep into some of the world’s most gripping cases. Hosted by an expert storyteller, Esther Ludlow, each episode unravels the mysteries behind notorious crimes, exploring the lives of victims, perpetrators, and the intricate details of the investigations that followed. With carefully researched narratives, thematic series, and thoughtful insights, Once Upon A Crime offers listeners a captivating blend of suspense, history, and human psychology. Whether you're a seasoned true-crime fan or just curious about the stories that shaped headlines, Once Upon A Crime promises to keep you on the edge of your seat.

  1. 8h ago

    Before Bali: The Untold Story of Sheila von Wiese-Mack

    In this episode of Once Upon a Crime, we revisits the murder of Sheila von Wiese Mack through the new book When Lambs Become Wolves by retired Sergeant Rasul T. Freelon, who knew Sheila and her daughter Heather years before the Bali killing.  Freelon recounts how a 2010 theft report led to repeated police contact, revealing escalating child-to-parent violence: Heather’s manipulation, financial fraud, and assaults that included breaking Sheila’s arm and later a brutal attack.  Despite diversion programs, mentoring, probation, and numerous calls for service, Sheila often refused to press charges, focused on saving her family, and ultimately told Freelon, “She’s going to kill me.”  When Lambs Become Wolfs. https://www.amazon.com/dp/0809339943?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback Resorting to Murder: The Body in the Suitcase: https://art19.com/shows/once-upon-a-crime/episodes/eef34649-e83a-47cb-a960-5403629b2295 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Before Bali: The Untold Story of Sheila von Wiese-Mack

  2. Jul 13

    The House on New York Street: The Sylvia Likens Case, Part Two

    Part 2 of the Sylvia Likens case examines the heartbreaking final hours of Sylvia Likens, one of the most horrific child abuse and murder cases in American history. On October 26, 1965, after months of unimaginable torture inside a home in Indianapolis, Indiana, 16-year-old Sylvia was carried upstairs for a bath before she was discovered unresponsive. As Gertrude Baniszewski scrambled to cover up the abuse with a fabricated confession letter, investigators immediately recognized the devastating evidence of prolonged torture. Including severe burns, starvation, countless injuries, a fatal subdural hematoma, and the chilling message carved into Sylvia's abdomen. The investigation took a dramatic turn when Sylvia's younger sister, Jenny, courageously told police, "Get me out of here, and I'll tell you everything." Her testimony unraveled Gertrude Baniszewski's lies and led to the arrests of Gertrude, several of her children, and neighborhood teenagers who participated in or witnessed the abuse. Sources: https://www.indianapolismonthly.com/longform/likens-looking-back-indianas-infamous-crime-50-years-later https://www.indystar.com/story/news/history/retroindy/2013/10/24/sylvia-likens/3178393/ House of Evil: The Indiana Torture Slaying - John Dean Torture Mom: A Chilling True Story of Confinement, Mutilation, and Murder - Ryan Green, 2018. The House from Hell: The True Story of Gertrude Baniszewski, Genoveva Ortiz, Sea Vision Publishing, 2024.  https://www.history101.com/sylvia-likens-the-family-she-left-behind/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Sylvia_Likens#Gertrude_Baniszewski https://murderpedia.org/female.B/b/baniszewski.htm https://www.history101.com/sylvia-likens-the-family-she-left-behind/ https://www.theindianalawyer.com/articles/35446-lawyers-book-retraces-indys-infamous-sylvia-likens-murder-case Sponsors:  See a list of our sponsors and discount codes on our website: https://www.truecrimepodcast.com/sponsors/ Links:  Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime  Our Website - www.truecrimepodcast.com  OUAC Merchandise Shop - https://onceuponacrime.dashery.com YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponACrimePodcast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    The House on New York Street: The Sylvia Likens Case, Part Two

  3. Jul 11

    TRAILER: The House on New York Street, Part 2

    Police arrived at the New York Street house and quickly realized the story didn’t add up. Within hours, Gertrude Baniszewski, her children, and neighborhood teens were arrested in the torture of 16-year-old Sylvia Likens. In court, everyone pointed fingers—mother against children, children against mother. Leaving one question: who was lying? Subscribe and listen to Once Upon a Crime for part two. Episode drops Monday July 13, 2026. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  4. Jul 6

    The House on New York Street - The Sylvia Likens Case, Part One

    Some crimes are so shocking that they force us to ask a question that seems impossible to answer. Not 'Who did it?' We know who did it. Not even 'Why?' Though we'll spend this series trying to understand that. The question is this: How did an entire neighborhood watch a teenage girl disappear in plain sight? Over three months in the fall of 1965, dozens of people entered a small house on East New York Street in Indianapolis. Children played there. Teenagers gathered there. Neighbors stopped by. A minister visited. Police responded to the home. A public health nurse knocked on the door. Yet sixteen-year-old Sylvia Likens remained trapped inside…starved and tortured.  By the time anyone finally listened, it was too late. Sources: https://www.indianapolismonthly.com/longform/likens-looking-back-indianas-infamous-crime-50-years-later https://www.indystar.com/story/news/history/retroindy/2013/10/24/sylvia-likens/3178393/ House of Evil: The Indiana Torture Slaying - John Dean Torture Mom: A Chilling True Story of Confinement, Mutilation, and Murder - Ryan Green, 2018. The House from Hell: The True Story of Gertrude Baniszewski, Genoveva Ortiz, Sea Vision Publishing, 2024.  https://www.history101.com/sylvia-likens-the-family-she-left-behind/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Sylvia_Likens#Gertrude_Baniszewski https://murderpedia.org/female.B/b/baniszewski.htm https://www.history101.com/sylvia-likens-the-family-she-left-behind/ https://www.theindianalawyer.com/articles/35446-lawyers-book-retraces-indys-infamous-sylvia-likens-murder-case Sponsors:  See a list of our sponsors and discount codes on our website: https://www.truecrimepodcast.com/sponsors/ Links:  Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime  Our Website - www.truecrimepodcast.com  OUAC Merchandise Shop - https://onceuponacrime.dashery.com YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponACrimePodcast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    The House on New York Street - The Sylvia Likens Case, Part One

  5. Jul 5

    TRAILER: The House on New York Street: The Sylvia Likens Case

    How does an ordinary home become the scene of extraordinary evil, and how does a community fail to save a sixteen-year-old girl? This week on Once Upon a Crime, we begin a two-part series on the murder of Sylvia Likens, examining the heartbreaking facts of the case and the psychological forces that turned one Indianapolis home into an innocent girl’s torture chamber, drawing seemingly ordinary children into unimaginable cruelty. Follow Once Upon a Crime, new episodes drop every Monday See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  6. Jul 3

    The Tragedy of Sylvia Likens: A Two-Part Series Preview

    In the summer of 1965, 16-year-old Sylvia Likens was left in the care of a mother of seven while her parents traveled for work. What should have been a temporary arrangement turned into one of the most horrifying child abuse and torture cases in American history. As the abuse escalated behind closed doors, an entire neighborhood witnessed signs of cruelty, manipulation, and neglect. Yet Sylvia’s suffering continued in plain sight. Next week, Once Upon a Crime takes a deep dive into one of the most infamous true crime cases of the 20th century. A story of abuse, torture, manipulation, and the tragic death of Sylvia Likens that continues to haunt America decades later. Subscribe to Once Upon A Crime so you don't miss this gripping two-part series. New episodes drop every Monday See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  7. Jun 29

    Marie Hilley: The Poisoner Who Fooled Everyone

    A black widow. A poisoner. A con artist. A master manipulator. This week on Once Upon a Crime, Esther dives into the unbelievable case of Marie Hilley. A woman accused of murdering her husband, nearly killing her own daughter, disappearing while out on bail, and creating entirely new identities to stay one step ahead of the truth. As investigators closed in, Marie spun outrageous stories and convinced friends, family, and complete strangers to believe them. The deeper this case goes, the stranger it gets. One of the most bizarre and fascinating true crime stories Esther has ever researched is now live wherever you get your podcasts. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  8. Jun 29

    Marie Hilley: The Woman Who Became Her Own Twin

    She poisoned her husband. She nearly killed her own daughter. She vanished while out on bail. Then she reinvented herself with a brand-new identity… and somehow convinced people she was her own twin sister. This week on Once Upon a Crime, we unravel the unbelievable case of Marie Hilley. One of the most notorious Black Widows in American true crime history. What began as the life of a seemingly ordinary wife and mother spiraled into a shocking saga of poisoning, manipulation, fraud, and deception that stretched across multiple states and identities. As investigators closed in, Marie stayed one step ahead by crafting elaborate lies, faking illnesses, and ultimately attempting one of the strangest identity swaps ever seen in a criminal case. From arsenic poisoning to forged documents and a fugitive run worthy of a movie script, this case is as bizarre as it is disturbing. If you think you’ve heard every wild true crime story, think again. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Marie Hilley: The Woman Who Became Her Own Twin
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4.6
out of 5
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About

Step into the darker side of history with Once Upon A Crime, a true-crime podcast that delves deep into some of the world’s most gripping cases. Hosted by an expert storyteller, Esther Ludlow, each episode unravels the mysteries behind notorious crimes, exploring the lives of victims, perpetrators, and the intricate details of the investigations that followed. With carefully researched narratives, thematic series, and thoughtful insights, Once Upon A Crime offers listeners a captivating blend of suspense, history, and human psychology. Whether you're a seasoned true-crime fan or just curious about the stories that shaped headlines, Once Upon A Crime promises to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Information

  • Creator
    Esther Ludlow
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    421
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Once Upon A Crime Podcast. INC 2016
  • Show Website
    Once Upon A Crime

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