The History of Murder

Clare O’Donohue and Margaret Smith

Some murders changed history. Some happened because of it.  The History of Murder puts crimes in context - using interviews with historians, actors reading the actual words of those involved, and narration that brings it together for a compelling story in each episode. 

  1. Ireland's Cause, America's Crime: The Story of Patrick Henry Cronin

    MAR 17

    Ireland's Cause, America's Crime: The Story of Patrick Henry Cronin

    Let us know what you think about the episode A local doctor, known to help anyone who asked, disappeared. The rumors started. Had he run away with a married woman? Gone back to his native Ireland? Or was he a British spy? It soon became public knowledge that he was a member of a secret organization to help bring about Irish independence, and it became clear that there had been some trouble connected to the group. Was he the cause, or was he a victim? #ireland #irish #chicago #stpatricksday More about the show: 🌐 https://thehistoryofmurder.com Team & Contributors Executive Producer- Clare O'Donohue https://clareodonohue.com Executive Producer - Margaret Smith Senior Editor – Steph Kelly https://stephkellyedits.com Social Media Manager & Design - Mikayla Bogus https://mikayladesign.cargo.site IT Manager - Conor Sweeney The History of Murder Logo - Bernadette Carr https://www.bcarrdesign.com Theme Song “My Carnal Life I Will Lay Down” - Rob Brereton https://robertbrereton.com   Voice of Alexander Sullivan: Mitchell Bisschop Interview: Gillian O'Brien, author of Blood Runs Green: The Murder that Transfixed Gilded Age Chicago This was truly a team effort, and we’re grateful to everyone who played a part. Help keep us around by …. Buying Merch https://buy.thehistoryofmurder.com Joining Our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/thehistoryofmurder And Supporting Us Directly https://buymeacoffee.com/thehistoryofmurder

    39 min
  2. First Amendment Murder: The Story of Elijah Lovejoy

    MAR 3

    First Amendment Murder: The Story of Elijah Lovejoy

    Let us know what you think about the episode He used his words to persuade, and he died because of them. In 1837, Elijah Lovejoy became a martyr to the first amendment, specifically freedom of the press, because as a newspaper editor, he believed in speaking out on the biggest injustice of his day. But after he was murdered, was there any justice for him? More about the show: 🌐 https://thehistoryofmurder.com Team & Contributors Executive Producer- Clare O'Donohue https://clareodonohue.com Executive Producer - Margaret Smith Writer: Kara Amis Thomas https://karaamis.substack.com Editor – Jessica Stokey Social Media Manager & Design - Mikayla Bogus https://mikayladesign.cargo.site IT Manager - Conor Sweeney The History of Murder Logo - Bernadette Carr https://www.bcarrdesign.com Theme Song “My Carnal Life I Will Lay Down” - Rob Brereton https://robertbrereton.com Voice of Elijah Lovejoy: Joe Janes www.joejanes.net Voice of Abraham Lincoln: Randy Duncan This was truly a team effort, and we’re grateful to everyone who played a part. Help keep us around by …. Buying Merch https://buy.thehistoryofmurder.com Joining Our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/thehistoryofmurder And Supporting Us Directly https://buymeacoffee.com/thehistoryofmurder

    35 min
  3. Hand of Death: The Story of Myrtle Bennett

    FEB 17

    Hand of Death: The Story of Myrtle Bennett

    Let us know what you think about the episode Bridge was a national obsession in 1929, and it was the personal obsession of an upper middle-class woman in Kansas City, Missouri. Myrtle Bennett poured over books about how to improve her game. She played whenever she had the chance. Her husband Jack was her frequent partner, but one night during a game, Myrtle and Jack got into a fight that led to a murder. As tragic as it was, it was the reaction from other bridge players that remains shocking.   More about the show: 🌐 https://thehistoryofmurder.com Team & Contributors Executive Producer- Clare O'Donohue  https://clareodonohue.com Executive Producer - Margaret Smith Editor – Steph Kelly https://stephkellyedits.com Social Media Manager & Design - Mikayla Bogus https://mikayladesign.cargo.site IT Manager - Conor Sweeney The History of Murder Logo - Bernadette Carr https://www.bcarrdesign.com Theme Song “My Carnal Life I Will Lay Down” - Rob Brereton https://robertbrereton.com   Voice of Myrtle Bennett: Megan Grano Instagram: @meganegrano Voice of James Page: Joe Janes www.joejanes.net Voice of James Reed: Randy Duncan This was truly a team effort, and we’re grateful to everyone who played a part. Help keep us around by ….  Buying Merch  https://buy.thehistoryofmurder.com Joining Our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/thehistoryofmurder  And Supporting Us Directly https://buymeacoffee.com/thehistoryofmurder

    31 min
  4. St. Valentine's Day Massacre: The Story of Prohibition's Deadliest Day

    FEB 3

    St. Valentine's Day Massacre: The Story of Prohibition's Deadliest Day

    Let us know what you think about the episode The most famous event of Prohibition happened in a garage on Chicago’s North Side. We all know that Al Capone tried to kill Bugs Moran but instead killed a bunch of his guys. Except, maybe that isn’t what happened. There are lots of theories about who and why but not as many answers. What we do know is that February 14, 1929, changed everything for Capone, Moran and Prohibition itself. More about the show: 🌐 https://thehistoryofmurder.com Team & Contributors Executive Producer- Clare O'Donohue  https://clareodonohue.com Executive Producer - Margaret Smith Senior Editor – Steph Kelly https://stephkellyedits.com Social Media Manager & Design - Mikayla Bogus https://mikayladesign.cargo.site IT Manager - Conor Sweeney The History of Murder Logo - Bernadette Carr https://www.bcarrdesign.com Theme Song “My Carnal Life I Will Lay Down” - Rob Brereton https://robertbrereton.com   Voice of William Russell - Mike Sweeney This was truly a team effort, and we’re grateful to everyone who played a part. Help keep us around by ….  Buying Merch  https://buy.thehistoryofmurder.com Joining Our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/thehistoryofmurder  And Supporting Us Directly https://buymeacoffee.com/thehistoryofmurder

    29 min
  5. The Rise of the Chicago's Underworld: The Story of the Early Mob

    JAN 20

    The Rise of the Chicago's Underworld: The Story of the Early Mob

    Let us know what you think about the episode Prohibition became law in the U.S. in January 1920. But in Chicago, it was more of a suggestion. It turned ordinary people into criminals, and criminals into superstars. Explore where true crime meets commerce in a documentary about a time when Chicago’s underworld became household names.  More about the show: 🌐 https://thehistoryofmurder.com Team & Contributors Executive Producer- Clare O'Donohue https://clareodonohue.com Executive Producer - Margaret Smith Editor – Jessica Stokey Social Media Manager & Design - Mikayla Bogus https://mikayladesign.cargo.site IT Manager - Conor Sweeney The History of Murder Logo - Bernadette Carr https://www.bcarrdesign.com Theme Song “My Carnal Life I Will Lay Down” - Rob Brereton https://robertbrereton.com Voice of Dean O'Banion - Nnamdi Ngwe Insta: https://www.instagram.com/nngwe17 Interview - Paul Durica, Chicago History Museum https://www.chicagohistory.org/ This was truly a team effort, and we’re grateful to everyone who played a part. Help keep us around by …. Buying Merch https://buy.thehistoryofmurder.com Joining Our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/thehistoryofmurder And Supporting Us Directly https://buymeacoffee.com/thehistoryofmurder

    32 min
  6. Dead at Dawn: The Story of Meriwether Lewis

    JAN 6

    Dead at Dawn: The Story of Meriwether Lewis

    Let us know what you think about the episode Meriwether Lewis is known for being half of Lewis and Clark, who in 1804 led an extraordinary expedition into the lands of the Louisiana Purchase. But having survived that harrowing journey, just five years later, Lewis was found shot to death in a remote cabin in Tennessee. Is this a true crime? The question of what happened to him has plagued historians for centuries. More about the show: 🌐 https://thehistoryofmurder.com Team & Contributors Executive Producer- Clare O'Donohue https://clareodonohue.com Executive Producer - Margaret Smith Writer: Kara Amis Thomas https://karaamis.substack.com/ Senior Editor – Steph Kelly                                                                 https://stephkellyedits.com Social Media Manager & Design - Mikayla Bogus https://mikayladesign.cargo.site IT Manager - Conor Sweeney The History of Murder Logo - Bernadette Carr https://www.bcarrdesign.com Theme Song “My Carnal Life I Will Lay Down” - Rob Brereton https://robertbrereton.com Interview: Ben Winn, Lewis & Clark State Historic Site https://campdubois.com/ Voice of Meriwether Lewis: Nnamdi Ngwe Insta: https://www.instagram.com/nngwe17 This was truly a team effort, and we’re grateful to everyone who played a part. Help keep us around by …. Buying Merch https://buy.thehistoryofmurder.com Joining Our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/thehistoryofmurder And Supporting Us Directly https://buymeacoffee.com/thehistoryofmurder

    31 min
  7. Death of the Defense: The Story of Clement Vallandigham

    12/23/2025

    Death of the Defense: The Story of Clement Vallandigham

    Let us know what you think about the episode His death is often cited on lists called, “Stupid Ways People Have Died” … and it was stupid. But the life of attorney and politician Clement Vallandigham was complicated. During the Civil War he was a free speech advocate and a convicted traitor. He was beloved by some in Ohio, hated by others and, ultimately, laughed about by most. The true crime is a shooting in a bar room brawl on Christmas Eve, but this is a documentary about the lawyer who defended that case with his life. More about the show: 🌐 https://thehistoryofmurder.com Team & Contributors Executive Producer- Clare O'Donohue  https://clareodonohue.com Executive Producer - Margaret Smith Editor – Jessica Stokey Social Media Manager & Design - Mikayla Bogus https://mikayladesign.cargo.site IT Manager - Conor Sweeney The History of Murder Logo - Bernadette Carr https://www.bcarrdesign.com Theme Song “My Carnal Life I Will Lay Down” - Rob Brereton https://robertbrereton.com   Voice of Clement Vallandigham: Joe Janes Voice of Abraham Lincoln: Randy Duncan Voice of Thomas McGehan: Nick Rowley Voice of James Vallandigham: Sean Sheehan This was truly a team effort, and we’re grateful to everyone who played a part. Help keep us around by ….  Buying Merch  https://buy.thehistoryofmurder.com Joining Our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/thehistoryofmurder  And Supporting Us Directly https://buymeacoffee.com/thehistoryofmurder

    32 min
  8. Fire on the Prairie: The Story of the Lawrence Massacre

    12/09/2025

    Fire on the Prairie: The Story of the Lawrence Massacre

    Let us know what you think about the episode On August 21, 1863, the residents of Lawrence, Kansas woke up to chaos.  The Civil War was raging, and this Midwestern town, far from the front lines, was at the center. 500 men rode into town, killing men and boys, burning down the homes and businesses. They said they were fighting for the Confederacy but were they really just criminals looking to steal and kill? In this true crime documentary, we explore the question of whether this was mass murder or an act of war. More about the show: 🌐 https://thehistoryofmurder.com Team & Contributors Executive Producer- Clare O'Donohue https://clareodonohue.com Executive Producer - Margaret Smith Editor – Steph Kelly Social Media Manager & Design - Mikayla Bogus https://mikayladesign.cargo.site IT Manager - Conor Sweeney The History of Murder Logo - Bernadette Carr https://www.bcarrdesign.com Theme Song “My Carnal Life I Will Lay Down” - Rob Brereton https://robertbrereton.com   Voice of William Quantill - Nick Rowley Voice of Bill Anderson - Joe Janes Voice of Elizabeth - Kelly Haran Voice of Rev. Cartright - Sean Sheehan This was truly a team effort, and we’re grateful to everyone who played a part. Help keep us around by …. Buying Merch https://buy.thehistoryofmurder.com Joining Our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/thehistoryofmurder And Supporting Us Directly https://buymeacoffee.com/thehistoryofmurder

    38 min
See All (17)

Trailer

5
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

Some murders changed history. Some happened because of it.  The History of Murder puts crimes in context - using interviews with historians, actors reading the actual words of those involved, and narration that brings it together for a compelling story in each episode. 

Information

  • Creator
    Clare O’Donohue and Margaret Smith
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The History of Murder
  • Show Website
    The History of Murder

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