True Murder: The Most Shocking Killers

Dan Zupansky

Every week host Dan Zupansky will interview the true crime authors that have written about the most shocking killers of all time.

  1. HACE 4 DÍAS

    25 FROZEN, 1 THAWED—Bob Cyphers

    25 Frozen, 1 Thawed: Murder and Mayhem in the Midwest takes readers deep into the heart of unsolved mysteries and chilling crimes that have haunted communities across the Midwest. From small towns shattered by sudden disappearances to cities rocked by violent acts, each chapter brings a different story—twenty-five cases left frozen in time, still waiting for justice. The book explores murders that stunned neighborhoods, kidnappings that tore families apart, and mysteries that investigators chased for years. In these pages, the quiet streets of Missouri, Illinois, and beyond become the backdrop for secrets, heartbreak, and unanswered questions. But not every case remains locked in ice. One story breaks free—the “thawed” case—where persistence and detail uncovered the truth and shows that even the coldest mysteries can sometimes find resolution. With a journalist’s eye for fact and a storyteller’s gift for detail, Cyphers presents the lives lost, the families still searching for answers, and the investigators who refused to give up. Rather than sensationalizing tragedy, the book restores humanity to the victims while revealing the lasting impact of crime on entire communities. 25 Frozen, 1 Thawed is a testament to memory, resilience, and the hope that justice may yet be found—even decades later. 25 FROZEN, 1 THAWED: Murder and Mayhem in the Midwest—Bob Cyphers

    1 h y 8 min

  2. 22 SEP

    GREG SCARPA, LEGENDARY EVIL—Jonathan Dyer

    Goodfellow, capo, killer, thief. A man so diabolically evil that he ordered his eldest son to murder his closest associate, and his youngest son to murder his best friend. When Greg Scarpa was in his early twenties he became a goodfellow in the Profaci family by swearing a blood oath to the Mafia, at the time the country’s largest organized-crime syndicate. And for 25 years he betrayed that oath and the men closest to him by acting as a paid informant for the FBI. He fed America’s premier law enforcement agency a steady stream of self-serving information accusing the men who trusted him with their lives of every crime he was himself committing. During those 25 years of treachery, Scarpa was a one-man crime wave who spent only 30 days behind bars thanks to his status as the FBI’s ultimate Mafia insider. His standing as a prized informant freed him to engage in mayhem and murder knowing he had a virtual license to kill with reckless abandon. Greg Scarpa, Legendary Evil is a deep dive that provides fresh insight into Scarpa’s malignant personality. Dyer peels back the layers of myth and misdirection to paint as complete and accurate a picture as possible of a man who murdered his enemies and betrayed his friends, of a bigamist who loved only money, of a feared and reviled man whose destructive appetites knew no bounds. GREG SCARPA, LEGENDARY EVIL: The Many Faces of a Mafia Killer—Jonathan Dyer

    1 h y 14 min

  3. 15 SEP

    THE MURDER OF DEBBIE GAMA—Justin Dombrowski

    The murder that still haunts a Pennsylvania city. On the morning of August 8, 1975, sixteen-year-old Debbie Gama disappeared after leaving her home in Erie, only to be found raped and strangled days later in a creek nearly thirty miles from her home. What followed was an investigation that lacked suspects or even evidence pointing to a viable suspect. That is, until a private investigator named Dan Barber uncovered evidence leading directly to her killer: her English teacher, Raymond Payne. After Payne’s arrest, Debbie’s mother, Betty Ferguson, embarked on her own quest for justice, which unexpectedly led her on an incredible journey of forgiveness. Utilizing newspaper articles, court documents and investigative files never before revealed, Justin Dombrowski presents a gripping narrative of one investigator’s pursuit of justice and a mother’s search for the truth. THE MURDER OF DEBBIE GAMA: Justice and Abolition in Erie—Justin Dumbrowski

    1 h y 12 min

  4. 8 SEP

    31 MURDERS-—Alvin A.J. Esau

    Many decades before Ted Bundy roamed the country there was serial killer Earle Nelson. During the 1920s, this geographically mobile killer went from city to city. His modus operandi involved getting into a house by pretending to be a person looking for a room to rent or inspecting a house that was for sale, and then strangling the landlady, often followed by having sex with the dead body. Robbery was frequently a secondary motive. After Nelson was captured in Canada in 1927, it was commonly reported that he had killed 21 women and a baby during the 1926-27 period. But were these the only cases linked to him? The author examines an additional nine unsolved murders of landladies, two of which have never been dealt with in previous literature. Based on decades of archival research, the author examines all 31 murders, relying on primary sources when available and a wide variety of secondary sources. For each murder, the book provides biographical sketches of the victim, outlines the police investigation and the various suspects, and covers any subsequent attempts to link Nelson to the crime by identification evidence of witnesses or by fingerprints. 31 MURDERS: Following the Trail of Serial Sex Killer Earle Nelson-Alvin A.J. Esau ReplyForward Add reaction

    1 h y 1 min

  5. 1 SEP

    EXPERT WITNESS—Ann Burgess

    From the author of the critically-acclaimed true crime account, A Killer By Design (the inspiration behind Hulu's original docuseries, Mastermind), a groundbreaking look into the crucial role played by expert witnesses in the most high-profile criminal cases, based on Dr. Ann Burgess’ personal experiences within the criminal justice system. Written through Burgess’ singular lens of compassion and lived experience, Expert Witness pulls back the curtain on some of the biggest cases in the last thirty years—from Bill Cosby to the Menendez brothers to Larry Nassar—to reveal the deeply human stories behind the trials that have captivated a nation. The book explores the role of expert witnesses in high stakes court cases, offering first-hand accounts and never-before-seen interviews with attorneys, victims, and offenders.Expert Witness places listeners inside the mind of the nation’s most prominent courtroom expert, following Burgess as she takes on one seismic case after the next. Throughout the narrative, each case deepens the listener’s understanding of the art and science of expert testimony, taking listeners from the women’s movement of the 1970s to the #MeToo movement of today—one of the largest social reckonings in recent history. At its core, Expert Witness is a story of empowerment. It’s a story of compassion and the ever-increasing need for individuals to stand up and speak truth to power or to popular opinion. And it's ultimately a story of how revolutionary one voice can be. EXPERT WITNESS: The Weight of our Testimony when Justice Hangs in the Balance—Ann Burgess

    58 min

  6. 25 AGO

    THE SERIAL KILLER TRAVEL GUIDE ACROSS AMERICA—Johnny Trevisani

    The Serial Killer Travel Guide Across America isn’t your typical road trip companion. This darkly fascinating guide is quirky and unconventional and takes readers on a dark journey through the United States, exploring notorious locations linked to infamous and not-so infamous serial killers. From the shadowy forests of the Pacific Northwest to the sun-bleached basements of suburbia, each stop offers true crime devotees an unsettling glimpse into the macabre. Designed like a 1960s-style travel guide, this book offers a coast-to-coast tour, showcasing select spots and delving into the twisted histories of the perpetrators. Blending history, psychology, and a hint of gallows humor, this book is part travel guide and part true crime encyclopedia. Whether you’re planning a dark tourism pilgrimage or just indulging your morbid curiosity from the safety of your home, The Serial Killer Travel Guide Across America will take you closer to the truth—and the horror—than you ever thought possible. THE SERIAL KILLER TRAVEL GUIDE ACROSS AMERICA: Your Coast-To-Coast Tour of Terror-Johnny Trevisani

    51 min

  7. 18 AGO

    MADMAN—M.F. Gross

    A Crime That Shattered Paradise... A Chase That Became Legend. Crystal Beach, Florida—1949. A peaceful seaside haven where crime was unheard of. Until one early morning, a brutal act of violence changed everything. John Calvin "Rastus" Russell, a drifter, thug, and small-time car thief, committed an unthinkable crime—the torture and murder of Norman Y. Browne and the near-fatal assault on his wife, Anne. The savage attack sent shockwaves through the tight-knit community, turning everyday citizens into armed vigilantes determined to bring a killer to justice. But this was no ordinary murder case. Russell's dramatic capture the next day was just the beginning of a story far stranger than fiction. As investigators pursued justice, shocking secrets unraveled—about the victims, their pasts, and a tangled web of deceit that no one saw coming. With a desperate escape, a relentless manhunt, and a hurricane crashing into the chaos, the pursuit of Rastus Russell became a deadly game of cat and mouse, pushing the limits of 1940s rural law enforcement. For nearly a month, terror gripped Crystal Beach and West Central Florida. The case became national news, a chilling tale whispered for generations. But nothing will prepare readers for the explosive and controversial ending—one that left residents and police stunned.  "Just like the movies," one headline declared. But this was real. And now, for the first time, the full story of Rastus Russell is told—a tale of crime, deception, and justice that will haunt you long after the last page. MADMAN: The Incredible True Story of John Calvin Russell, the Heinous Crime, and Sensational Manhunt that Terrified Central Florida in 1949—M.F. Gross

    1 h y 33 min

  8. 11 AGO

    A MONSTER IN MOUNT PLEASANT—CJ Williams

    In the quiet town of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, the idyllic calm of 1978 was shattered by a series of brutal murders. Karol Beavers, a vivacious high school junior, and her mother, Clementine, became the unsuspecting victims of a heinous act of violence that left the community reeling. For six months, the case went cold, fear gripping a town unaccustomed to locking its doors. Then, another shocking murder occurred, tying the threads of horror together. A Monster in Mount Pleasant delves into the unraveling of this dark chapter. Drawing from years of meticulous research, the story reveals not just the pursuit of justice, but the profound emotional scars left behind. From the shattered dreams of a bright young girl to the lifelong grief of families torn apart, this book captures the deep humanity behind the headlines. This compelling narrative is told through the eyes of a classmate of Karol—and the murderer. Now a federal judge, the author unearthed the societal cracks that shaped both the victims and the perpetrator. It’s a haunting journey into a community forever changed by tragedy, where resilience and the quest for truth stand as testaments to those lost too soon. A MONSTER IN MOUNT PLEASANT: A Story of Murders and Justice-CJ Williams

    1 h
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Every week host Dan Zupansky will interview the true crime authors that have written about the most shocking killers of all time.

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