The History of Murder

Clare O’Donohue and Margaret Smith
  • 5.0 (14)
  • TRUE CRIME

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

    4D AGO

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

    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
  2. 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

    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
  3. Dead at Dawn: The Story of Meriwether Lewis

    JAN 6

    Dead at Dawn: The Story of Meriwether Lewis

    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
  4. Death of the Defense: The Story of Clement Vallandigham

    12/23/2025

    Death of the Defense: The Story of Clement Vallandigham

    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
  5. Fire on the Prairie: The Story of the Lawrence Massacre

    12/09/2025

    Fire on the Prairie: The Story of the Lawrence Massacre

    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
  6. When Lincoln Defended A Killer: The Story of Peachy Quinn Harrison

    11/25/2025

    When Lincoln Defended A Killer: The Story of Peachy Quinn Harrison

    The stakes were high – and not just for the young man on trial for murder. But also for his defense attorney, Abraham Lincoln. Not only did he know both the victim and the killer, but the case marked the only time the full trial would be written down and published for everyone to see. One major slip could lead to the gallows for his client and end his hopes for the presidency.  Listen to the true crime documentary that featured a future president. 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   Interview: Brian "Fox" Ellis  https://www.facebook.com/brian.f.ellis.5 Voice of Abraham Lincoln: Randy Duncan Email: no_malice03@yahoo.com Voice of Peachy Quinn: Ryan Hultman Instagram: @rhults11 Voice of Greek Crafton: Mike Canale 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

    40 min
  7. When Protesters Met Bayonets: The Story of the Bonus Army

    11/11/2025

    When Protesters Met Bayonets: The Story of the Bonus Army

    Is it true crime or military might? The President of the United States ordered the army to remove peaceful protestors from Washington DC. The army used tear gas, torches, bayonets, and tanks to get the job done. Three people died. The year was 1932. The president was Herbert Hoover. And the actions taken changed the United States to this day.  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 Herbert Hoover: Rob Janas @thatrobjanas http://www.robjanas.com/ Voice of Joe Angelo: Mike Canale 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
  8. The Night of Horrors: The Story of the Chinese Massacre

    10/28/2025

    The Night of Horrors: The Story of the Chinese Massacre

    In October of 1871, a mob in Los Angeles descended upon a poor neighborhood and hunted down every Chinese man they could find. The killing spree would last four hours. There were several trials, but many of the witnesses stayed away – and one group, the surviving Chinese, were kept from testifying. Then the entire event was buried so deep in the history books that even the descendants of the survivors didn’t know it happened.   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 David Louie. LA Historian  Chinese American Museum, Los Angeles    Voice of Yo Hing - Mike Zhao Voice of Joseph Mesmer - Kevin Smith Voice of Horace Bell - Brian Fox Ellis Voice Adolpho Celis  - Ryan Hultman Instagram: @rhults11 Voice of Reporter - Jeff Stampka https://cooolmedia.com/ 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

    27 min
See All (14)

Trailer

5
out of 5
14 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
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The History of Murder
  • Show Website
    The History of Murder

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