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DEC 16

KILLER: Tina Brown Part 01 | Pensacola, Florida 2010

On March 24, 2010, nineteen-year-old Audreanna Zimmerman was ambushed by three women she knew from her Pensacola trailer park. What followed was one of the most brutal attacks in Florida criminal history. Beaten with a crowbar, shocked repeatedly with a stun gun, and doused in gasoline before being set ablaze, Audreanna somehow survived the initial attack. Despite burns covering sixty percent of her body, she managed to walk nearly a third of a mile to a nearby house for help. Before slipping into a medically induced coma, she gave authorities the names of her attackers. Sixteen days later, Audreanna died without ever regaining consciousness. She was a mother of two. Part 1 of 2: Before the crime comes the life. This first episode traces the devastating childhood of Tina Brown, the woman who would orchestrate Audreanna's murder and become one of Florida's only female death row inmates. VICTIM PROFILE: Audreanna Redawn Zimmerman was born on April 13, 1990, and was just nineteen years old when her life was taken. A young mother of two, she lived in a Detroit Avenue mobile home park in Escambia County, Florida. Despite the volatile environment of her neighborhood, Audreanna believed she had patched things up with the women who would ultimately kill her. She visited them as a friend on the day she died. THE CRIME: The murder of Audreanna Zimmerman stemmed from escalating disputes between trailer park neighbors. Accusations flew about slashed tires, broken windows, and reports to child protective services. The situation reached its breaking point over a romantic entanglement. On that March evening, Tina Brown, her sixteen-year-old daughter Britnee Miller, and neighbor Heather Lee lured Audreanna into a trap that would end with her burning in the Florida woods. THE INVESTIGATION: Audreanna's dying declaration proved crucial to the case. She identified all three attackers before losing consciousness. Physical evidence corroborated her account, including a bloodied crowbar and stun gun, a piece of hair weave, and DNA evidence recovered from Brown's vehicle. Authorities waited until Audreanna's death to arrest the suspects, ensuring murder charges that could not be plea-bargained down. CURRENT STATUS: Tina Brown was convicted of first-degree premeditated murder in 2012 and sentenced to death. She remains the only woman currently on Florida's death row at Lowell Correctional Institution. Her daughter Britnee Miller, who was sixteen at the time, received a life sentence. Heather Lee accepted a plea agreement and received twenty-five years, with a scheduled release in 2031. Brown's multiple appeals have been denied, most recently in May 2024. This episode examines how decades of trauma, addiction, and unresolved rage shaped the woman who would commit this unthinkable crime. Part two will cover the night of the attack in full detail. RESOURCES: Learn more about this case at https://www.mythsandmalice.com/show/obscura/ Support Obscura: https://www.patreon.com/obscuracrimepodcast/ Our Sponsors: * Check out Chime: https://chime.com/OBSCURA * Check out Kensington Publishing: https://www.kensingtonbooks.com * Check out Mind of a Monster: The Killer Nurse: https://podcasts.apple.com * Check out Mood and use my code OBSCURA for a great deal: https://mood.com * Check out Progressive: https://www.progressive.com Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/obscura-a-true-crime-podcast/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Dec 16

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56 min
DEC 9

MURDERED: Paula Thompson | Des Moines, Iowa 2020

On March 13, 2020, a long-simmering domestic conflict in Des Moines, Iowa, erupted into fatal violence. Paula Marie Thompson, a 50-year-old claims processor, was beaten to death with a crowbar by her adult son Christopher inside the home they shared on Pleasantview Drive. Her body would not be discovered until five days later. VICTIM PROFILE: Paula Thompson was 50 years old at the time of her death. She worked as a claims processor and was known among friends and coworkers as hardworking and responsible. Behind closed doors, however, Paula struggled with a volatile home situation. Her 32-year-old son Christopher still lived with her, financially dependent on her despite years of unemployment and sporadic work through temporary agencies. Paula had confided to friends that she was afraid of Christopher, tired of the drinking, and tired of supporting an adult who showed no progress toward independence. CASE SIGNIFICANCE: This case represents a devastating example of domestic violence that did not arrive suddenly. Paula Thompson spent months warning the people around her. She told friends she was afraid. She contacted her son's probation officer multiple times between December 2019 and March 2020, expressing growing fear. She even appeared in a Facebook video whispering to a friend that Christopher was "going to kill" her. Despite these warnings, Paula could not escape the danger living inside her own home. CONTENT WARNINGS: This episode contains descriptions of domestic violence, blunt force trauma, and animal cruelty. Listener discretion is advised. KEY CASE DETAILS: • Paula and Christopher argued on March 13, 2020, both having been drinking. Christopher retrieved a crowbar and struck his mother multiple times in the head. He remained in the home with her body for five days before confessing to a friend over the phone. • Christopher also killed Paula's cat with the same crowbar, later disposing of the animal's body in a trash can. He pleaded guilty to animal abuse in addition to the murder charge. • On March 18, 2020, Christopher walked into the Polk County Jail and confessed. He was subsequently found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. RESOURCES: This episode draws from court documents filed in Polk County, Iowa, including criminal complaints and the Iowa Supreme Court opinion in State v. Thompson. Additional sources include reporting from KCCI Des Moines, KCRG, and the Des Moines Register. For anyone experiencing domestic violence, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-799-7233. SUPPORT OBSCURA: For extended episodes, bonus content, and ad-free listening, join us on Patreon at patreon.com/obscuracrimepodcast. Visit mythsandmalice.com/show/obscura for episode resources, sources, and additional case information. Our Sponsors: * Check out Chime: https://chime.com/OBSCURA * Check out Kensington Publishing: https://www.kensingtonbooks.com * Check out Mind of a Monster: The Killer Nurse: https://podcasts.apple.com * Check out Mood and use my code OBSCURA for a great deal: https://mood.com * Check out Progressive: https://www.progressive.com Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/obscura-a-true-crime-podcast/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Dec 9

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27 min
13H AGO

KILLER: Tina Brown Part 02 | Pensacola, Florida 2010

Escambia County, FL. March 24, 2010. When Tina Brown invited twenty-year-old Audreanna Zimmerman to her trailer under the guise of reconciliation, the young mother had no idea she was walking into an ambush. What would unfold in the following hours represents one of the most horrific crimes in Florida history. Part 02 of 02. VICTIM PROFILE: Audreanna Zimmerman was just twenty years old, a young mother navigating the precarious landscape of poverty in rural Pensacola. She lived in close proximity to Tina Brown's family, sharing the forced intimacy of a mobile home park where everyone knew everyone's business. Despite the tensions that had developed between her and Brown—accusations of slashed tires, broken car windows, reports to child protective services—Zimmerman believed in the possibility of peace. When the invitation came to clear the air, she accepted it with the trust of someone who had not yet learned that reconciliation can be a weapon. THE CRIME: On the evening of March 24, 2010, Zimmerman entered Brown's trailer expecting conversation. Instead, she was ambushed with a stun gun. Tina Brown, her sixteen-year-old daughter Britnee Miller, and Heather Lee restrained Zimmerman, beat her, and forced her into the trunk of a car. They drove her to a remote clearing in the Florida woods, where the assault escalated to torture. Zimmerman was struck repeatedly with a crowbar, doused with gasoline, and set on fire. The women left her burning in the clearing, believing they had killed her. THE INVESTIGATION: Zimmerman did not die. A third of a mile away, witness Terrance Hendrick heard cries for help and found a figure so badly burned he could not determine her race or whether she wore clothing. Despite injuries that defied comprehension—her skin crackling as she walked, her jaw broken, burns covering the majority of her body—Zimmerman remained conscious. She identified her attackers by name. She told investigators everything that had been done to her. She survived for sixteen days before succumbing to thermal injuries at the University of South Alabama Burn Center. CURRENT STATUS: On June 21, 2012, a jury convicted Tina Brown of first-degree murder. On September 28, 2012, she was sentenced to death. The court found the murder was cold, calculated, and premeditated; heinous, atrocious, and cruel; and committed during the course of a kidnapping. Britnee Miller and Heather Lee were also prosecuted for their roles in the crime. Tina Brown remains on Florida's death row. Content warning: This episode contains extremely graphic descriptions of torture, burning, and prolonged violence against a young woman. Real medical and investigative details. Listener discretion strongly advised. Learn more about this case at: https://www.mythsandmalice.com/show/obscura/ Support Obscura: https://www.patreon.com/obscuracrimepodcast/ Our Sponsors: * Check out Chime: https://chime.com/OBSCURA * Check out Kensington Publishing: https://www.kensingtonbooks.com * Check out Mind of a Monster: The Killer Nurse: https://podcasts.apple.com * Check out Mood and use my code OBSCURA for a great deal: https://mood.com * Check out Progressive: https://www.progressive.com Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/obscura-a-true-crime-podcast/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

13h ago

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56 min
NOV 25

SERIAL KILLER: Paul Durousseau | Jacksonville, Florida 1997-2003 Part 01

On a humid September day in 1997, a man walking his dog discovered the nude body of 26-year-old Tracy Habersham in a ditch near Fort Benning, Georgia. She had been strangled. What investigators couldn't know then was that her death marked the beginning of a six-year killing spree. Part 1 of 2 VICTIM PROFILE: Paul Durousseau's victims shared heartbreaking commonalities. They were young African American women—many of them mothers—struggling to build better lives. Tyresa Mack was raising three small children. Nikia Kilpatrick was six months pregnant when she died; her two young sons, aged 11 months and 2 years, were found alive but malnourished beside her body two days later. Shawanda McCalister was also pregnant. These women trusted the wrong person, and that trust cost them everything. CASE SIGNIFICANCE: Between 1997 and 2003, Durousseau used his various jobs—security guard, taxi driver—to identify and gain access to vulnerable women. His method was consistent: gain trust, enter their homes, bind them, sexually assault them, then strangle them with whatever cord was available. A phone cord. A coaxial cable. An extension cord tied in a distinctive military-style slipknot. His victims included Tracy Habersham, Tyresa Mack, Nicole Williams, Nikia Kilpatrick, Shawanda McCalister, Jovanna Jefferson, and Surita Cohen. German authorities also suspect him in additional unsolved murders near U.S. military bases during his Army deployment. CONTENT WARNINGS: This episode contains detailed discussion of sexual assault, strangulation, domestic violence, and child endangerment. Listener discretion is strongly advised. KEY DETAILS: Durousseau was born in Beaumont, Texas in 1970 and experienced significant brain trauma in utero and as a toddler. He was later diagnosed with bipolar disorder.After graduating high school in 1989, he enlisted in the Army in 1992 and was stationed in Germany, where he married fellow soldier Natoca Spann.In 1997, while stationed at Fort Benning, he was arrested for kidnapping and rape but was acquitted. Less than a month later, Tracy Habersham was found murdered—DNA would eventually link Durousseau to her death.RESOURCES: For case documentation, sources, and additional information, visit: https://www.mythsandmalice.com/show/obscura/ If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. CREDITS: Research and narration by Justin Drown. Obscura is an independent true crime documentary podcast dedicated to telling the stories of forgotten victims with unflinching honesty and scholarly research. All information presented draws from court records, police reports, and verified news archives. SUPPORT OBSCURA: Join the Obscura community on Patreon for ad-free episodes, extended content, and exclusive behind-the-scenes access: https://www.patreon.com/obscuracrimepodcast/ Our Sponsors: * Check out Chime: https://chime.com/OBSCURA * Check out Kensington Publishing: https://www.kensingtonbooks.com * Check out Mind of a Monster: The Killer Nurse: https://podcasts.apple.com * Check out Mood and use my code OBSCURA for a great deal: https://mood.com * Check out Progressive: https://www.progressive.com Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/obscura-a-true-crime-podcast/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Nov 25

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48 min
DEC 16

Gay Head, Massachusetts: 103 Souls Lost Half a Mile from Shore

In the early hours of January 18, 1884, the passenger steamer City of Columbus struck the jagged underwater rocks of Devil's Bridge off Gay Head, Massachusetts—now called Aquinnah—sending 103 people to their deaths within sight of the shore they could see but never reach. This maritime catastrophe remains the deadliest shipwreck in New England history for the nineteenth century, a tragedy that exposed fatal gaps in passenger safety while simultaneously revealing the extraordinary heroism of a small Wampanoag community willing to row into deadly seas to save strangers. The City of Columbus had departed Boston the previous afternoon bound for Savannah, Georgia, carrying 80 first-class passengers, 22 in steerage, and a crew of 45 under Captain Schuyler E. Wright. Among the passengers were families seeking the warmer southern climate for health reasons—people newspapers of the era called "invalids"—along with women and children who made up roughly one-third of those aboard. What should have been a routine voyage through familiar waters became a nightmare when a combination of strong westward winds, lateral drift, and darkness conspired to push the iron-hulled steamer directly into the treacherous rock field that sailors had long feared. When the lookout spotted the Devil's Bridge buoy off the port bow instead of starboard, the crew had only seconds to react. The ship struck at full speed, tearing a massive hole in the hull. Within minutes, a giant wave swept every woman and child aboard into the freezing Atlantic. Those who survived the initial chaos climbed into the ship's rigging, where they clung for seven agonizing hours as temperatures remained below freezing and their companions froze to death around them—some with hands literally locked to the ropes even in death. Timeline of EventsJanuary 17, 1884, 3:00 PM — City of Columbus departs Boston for Savannah with 147 people aboard under Captain Schuyler E. Wright. January 18, 1884, 2:00 AM — Captain Wright goes below to his cabin after passing Nobska Point, leaving Second Mate Edward Harding in command. January 18, 1884, 3:45 AM — Ship strikes Devil's Bridge rocks at full speed. Massive wave sweeps passengers overboard. Every woman and child aboard perishes. January 18, 1884, Dawn — Lighthouse keeper Horatio Pease spots survivors clinging to the wreck's masts. January 18, 1884, Morning — Thomas Manning and other Wampanoag rescuers launch boats into dangerous seas, beginning rescue operations. January 18, 1884, 12:30 PM — Revenue Cutter Dexter arrives. Lieutenant John U. Rhodes makes multiple rescue attempts despite injury. January 18, 1884, Noon — Final count: 29 survivors rescued, 103 dead. Historical SignificanceThe City of Columbus disaster forced immediate and lasting changes to American maritime safety regulations. The most significant reform addressed a problem exposed by this tragedy: passenger manifests that went down with ships, leaving families with no way to know if their loved ones had survived. Within months of the disaster, Congress mandated that shipping companies maintain duplicate passenger lists—one aboard ship and copies kept on shore and filed with port authorities. This reform became standard practice across the transportation industry and remains in effect today for airlines, cruise ships, and ferries worldwide. The disaster also transformed how the Revenue Cutter Service—predecessor to the modern United States Coast Guard—coordinated with local communities during maritime emergencies. The rescue demonstrated that local knowledge and willingness to act often proved more effective than waiting for official vessels. The Wampanoag rescuers' heroism earned national recognition: Congress passed a joint resolution thanking them, and Lieutenant John U. Rhodes received gold medals from the Humane Society and the German-American Society of Wilmington, North Carolina. Public subscriptions raised thousands of dollars for the rescuers—over $3,500 for the Wampanoag lifesavers alone. The wreck of the City of Columbus still lies in approximately 40 feet of water off Aquinnah, visited occasionally by divers when conditions permit. The Martha's Vineyard Museum and Woods Hole Historical Museum display artifacts recovered from the wreck—pieces of the ship's distinctive white and gold china service, salvaged fittings, and personal items that connect visitors to the human cost of that January night. Sources & Further ReadingFor those interested in exploring this story further, the following resources provide excellent primary and secondary documentation: Vineyard Gazette Archives (January 25, 1884) — Contemporary newspaper coverage from Martha's Vineyard, including survivor testimony and detailed accounts of the rescue efforts. Available at vineyardgazette.com.Martha's Vineyard Museum — Houses the "Out of the Depths: Martha's Vineyard Shipwrecks" exhibit featuring artifacts from the City of Columbus including the ship's quarterboard, china, and salvaged materials. Located in Vineyard Haven.Woods Hole Historical Museum — Displays china and artifacts from the wreck with documentation of the tragedy's impact on Cape Cod communities.Wikipedia: SS City of Columbus — Comprehensive overview of the disaster with citations to primary sources and scholarly analysis.USCG Historian's Office — Documentation of the Revenue Cutter Dexter's role in the rescue and the commendations awarded to Lieutenant Rhodes and the crew. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/hometownhistory/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Dec 16

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26 min
DEC 2

SERIAL KILLER: Paul Durousseau | Jacksonville, Florida 1997-2003 Part 02

On a humid September day in 1997, a man walking his dog discovered the nude body of 26-year-old Tracy Habersham in a ditch near Fort Benning, Georgia. She had been strangled. What investigators couldn't know then was that her death marked the beginning of a six-year killing spree. Part 2 of 2 VICTIM PROFILE: Paul Durousseau's victims shared heartbreaking commonalities. They were young African American women—many of them mothers—struggling to build better lives. Tyresa Mack was raising three small children. Nikia Kilpatrick was six months pregnant when she died; her two young sons, aged 11 months and 2 years, were found alive but malnourished beside her body two days later. Shawanda McCalister was also pregnant. These women trusted the wrong person, and that trust cost them everything. CASE SIGNIFICANCE: Between 1997 and 2003, Durousseau used his various jobs—security guard, taxi driver—to identify and gain access to vulnerable women. His method was consistent: gain trust, enter their homes, bind them, sexually assault them, then strangle them with whatever cord was available. A phone cord. A coaxial cable. An extension cord tied in a distinctive military-style slipknot. His victims included Tracy Habersham, Tyresa Mack, Nicole Williams, Nikia Kilpatrick, Shawanda McCalister, Jovanna Jefferson, and Surita Cohen. German authorities also suspect him in additional unsolved murders near U.S. military bases during his Army deployment. CONTENT WARNINGS: This episode contains detailed discussion of sexual assault, strangulation, domestic violence, and child endangerment. Listener discretion is strongly advised. KEY DETAILS: Durousseau was born in Beaumont, Texas in 1970 and experienced significant brain trauma in utero and as a toddler. He was later diagnosed with bipolar disorder.After graduating high school in 1989, he enlisted in the Army in 1992 and was stationed in Germany, where he married fellow soldier Natoca Spann.In 1997, while stationed at Fort Benning, he was arrested for kidnapping and rape but was acquitted. Less than a month later, Tracy Habersham was found murdered—DNA would eventually link Durousseau to her death.RESOURCES: For case documentation, sources, and additional information, visit: https://www.mythsandmalice.com/show/obscura/ If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. CREDITS: Research and narration by Justin Drown. Obscura is an independent true crime documentary podcast dedicated to telling the stories of forgotten victims with unflinching honesty and scholarly research. All information presented draws from court records, police reports, and verified news archives. SUPPORT OBSCURA: Join the Obscura community on Patreon for ad-free episodes, extended content, and exclusive behind-the-scenes access: https://www.patreon.com/obscuracrimepodcast/ Our Sponsors: * Check out Chime: https://chime.com/OBSCURA * Check out Kensington Publishing: https://www.kensingtonbooks.com * Check out Mind of a Monster: The Killer Nurse: https://podcasts.apple.com * Check out Mood and use my code OBSCURA for a great deal: https://mood.com * Check out Progressive: https://www.progressive.com Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/obscura-a-true-crime-podcast/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Dec 2

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34 min
DEC 16

Netherlands: The Angel of Death's 27 Victims

In the fog-shrouded streets of 1880s Leiden, a woman everyone called "Good Mary" brought food to the sick, consoled the grieving, and prepared the dead for burial. For three years, she was the angel of her neighborhood—the trusted caregiver who helped when no one else would. No one suspected that the porridge she served was laced with arsenic. No one questioned why so many of her patients died. Until a doctor noticed something Maria Swanenburg's victims included 27 confirmed deaths among the most vulnerable members of Victorian Leiden's working-class community. Among them were her own parents—Johanna Dingjan and Clemens Swanenburg—murdered for whatever meager inheritance they might leave. Two young sisters died while Maria babysat them, followed by attempted poisonings of six mourners at their wake, including their pregnant mother. The Frankhuizen family lost three members: Maria Frankhuizen, her infant son, and her husband Hendrik, whose agonizing final days would ultimately expose the killer. Elderly neighbors who trusted Maria with their care, relatives who welcomed her help, and community members who saw her as Goeie Mie—"Good Mary"—all fell victim to her arsenic-laced kindness. Another 45 survivors lived with permanent health damage, many walking Leiden's streets on crutches for the rest of their lives. Between 1880 and 1883, Maria Swanenburg systematically poisoned at least 102 people in Leiden, Netherlands, killing 27 and permanently disabling dozens more. Operating in disease-ridden working-class neighborhoods where cholera deaths were common, she exploited the era's limited medical knowledge and the community's trust in her caregiving reputation. Maria purchased arsenic from multiple pharmacies across Leiden—ostensibly for pest control—accumulating lethal quantities without raising suspicion. She poisoned her victims through food and drink while nursing them, then collected on small life insurance policies she'd secretly taken out. When victims displayed symptoms of violent gastric distress, doctors assumed cholera or typhoid. When they died, Maria helped prepare their bodies for burial and consoled grieving families. Her downfall came in December 1883 when Dr. Wijnand Rutgers van der Loeff connected multiple patients with identical symptoms to one common factor: all had been under Maria Swanenburg's care. The Investigation: Dr. van der Loeff's suspicions led police to arrest Maria on December 15, 1883. When searched, she carried multiple insurance policies in her pockets—policies taken out on people currently under her care. Authorities exhumed thirteen bodies from Leiden cemeteries; all tested positive for arsenic. The Trial: Proceedings began April 23, 1885, drawing national attention. Medical experts explained how arsenic accumulated in victims' tissues. Family members testified about their loved ones' rapid deterioration under Maria's care. Throughout, she maintained an eerily calm demeanor, claiming she was being framed. The Verdict: On May 1, 1885, Maria Swanenburg was convicted of three murders from the Frankhuizen family case—though prosecutors had evidence for 27 deaths. She became the first woman in Dutch history to receive a life sentence. The Sentence: Maria was sent to Gorinchem Correctional Facility, where she died on April 11, 1915, at age 75, having served thirty years. Victorian Leiden provided the perfect hunting ground for a poisoner. The textile industry had drawn workers into overcrowded slums where families of ten lived in cramped cottages with earthen floors, no sanitation, and no ventilation. Cholera, typhoid, and tuberculosis killed regularly. Child mortality was staggeringly high. Doctors rarely visited poor districts because residents couldn't pay. In this environment, additional deaths barely registered. Arsenic was legally sold in pharmacies for pest control with minimal regulation—no questions asked, no records kept. The poison was tasteless, odorless, and produced symptoms indistinguishable from endemic diseases without expensive chemical analysis that the poor could never afford. Maria's role as a community caregiver—taking in elderly boarders, nursing the sick, preparing bodies for burial—gave her unlimited access to vulnerable victims and made suspicion seem impossible. She was Goeie Mie. Good Mary. The angel. Primary research for this episode draws from Dutch criminal archives and the work of historian Stefan Glasbergen, whose book on Maria Swanenburg provides crucial contemporary documentation including court testimony and neighborhood accounts. The case fundamentally changed Dutch law. Following Maria's conviction, the Netherlands implemented strict regulations on arsenic sales, requiring pharmacies to maintain detailed purchase records and verify legitimate need. Dutch law enforcement developed standardized protocols for investigating suspicious deaths and recognizing serial murder patterns. The Swanenburg case became a cornerstone study in criminal investigation training throughout Europe, demonstrating how serial killers exploit community trust and institutional blind spots to operate undetected for years. For those interested in exploring this case further: The Rijksmuseum van Oudheden in Leiden maintains records from the Victorian eraDutch National Archives hold original court documents from the 1885 trialAcademic studies on Victorian-era poisoning cases and forensic toxicology developmentMaria Swanenburg's victims trusted her completely. She was their neighbor, their caregiver, their friend. In the fog-shrouded slums of Victorian Leiden, the angel of the neighborhood was actually its deadliest predator—and the 45 survivors on crutches walked as permanent reminders of her betrayal. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/foul-play-crime-series/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Dec 16

•

33 min
1D AGO

E135 - Boys Will Be Boys: Zulfarhan Osman Zulkarnain

Episode one thirty five takes us to Malaysia, and we look into the cruel and vicious murder of a young man who had a goal of becoming a Marine cadet. Was this bullying gone too far? Or is it more intentional than that? And does the punishment fit the crime? To support this podcast, please visit: One-time donation: Pay Lei Yuan using PayPal.Me Facebook/Instagram: asianmadnesspod E-mail: asianmadnesspod@gmail.com Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-asian-madness-podcast7296/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

1d ago

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34 min
NOV 18

MURDERED: Jessica Lunsford | Homosassa, Florida 2005 Part 02

[Part 2 of 2] On February 24th, 2005, nine-year-old Jessica Lunsford vanished from her bedroom in Homosassa, Florida—taken through an unlocked door while her family slept. The girl who was afraid of the dark, who couldn't sleep without her stuffed purple dolphin, was about to become the center of one of the most heartbreaking cases in American true crime history. Jessica was a cheerful third-grader who loved singing, helping others, and spending time with her dachshund, Corky. She lived with her father Mark and grandparents Ruth and Archie in a small community where neighbors knew each other. The night she disappeared, she'd just returned from church, been tucked into bed by her grandmother, and fell asleep clutching her favorite toy. By morning, both Jessica and her dolphin were gone. This case matters because it exposed critical failures in sex offender monitoring and directly resulted in Jessica's Law—legislation that now protects children across the United States with mandatory minimum sentences and lifetime electronic monitoring for predators. Content Warning: This episode contains detailed discussion of child abduction, sexual assault, and murder. It includes graphic details about the victim's captivity and death. Listener discretion is strongly advised. In This Episode: The Investigation: How law enforcement conducted a massive three-week search involving hundreds of volunteers, bloodhounds, helicopters, and multiple agencies—while Jessica was hidden just 65 yards from her home the entire time.The Perpetrator: John Evander Couey, a registered sex offender with a history of violence who was living with his sister next door to Jessica, and how systemic failures allowed him to reoffend.The Aftermath: The heartbreaking discovery, Couey's confession, his death before execution, and how Jessica's death led to the creation of Jessica's Law and Jessie's Place Children's Advocacy Center—saving countless children through strengthened protections. Resources: If you or someone you know needs support, please contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) or visit www.missingkids.org. The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) provides 24/7 support at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). Jessie's Place in Citrus County continues Jessica's legacy by providing free services to abused and traumatized children—learn more about their vital work and how to support them. This episode was meticulously researched using court documents, police reports, forensic testimony, and news archives from the investigation and trial. All facts have been verified against primary sources. Support Obscura: Obscura is an independent production dedicated to uncovering forgotten cases with unflinching detail. Join our Black Label community on Patreon for bonus episodes, extended cuts, ad-free listening, and exclusive research materials at https://www.patreon.com/obscuracrimepodcast. Our Sponsors: * Check out Chime: https://chime.com/OBSCURA * Check out Kensington Publishing: https://www.kensingtonbooks.com * Check out Mind of a Monster: The Killer Nurse: https://podcasts.apple.com * Check out Mood and use my code OBSCURA for a great deal: https://mood.com * Check out Progressive: https://www.progressive.com Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/obscura-a-true-crime-podcast/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Nov 18

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29 min
NOV 11

MURDERED: Jessica Lunsford | Homosassa, Florida 2005 Part 01

On February 24th, 2005, nine-year-old Jessica Lunsford vanished from her bedroom in Homosassa, Florida—taken through an unlocked door while her family slept. The girl who was afraid of the dark, who couldn't sleep without her stuffed purple dolphin, was about to become the center of one of the most heartbreaking cases in American true crime history. Jessica was a cheerful third-grader who loved singing, helping others, and spending time with her dachshund, Corky. She lived with her father Mark and grandparents Ruth and Archie in a small community where neighbors knew each other. The night she disappeared, she'd just returned from church, been tucked into bed by her grandmother, and fell asleep clutching her favorite toy. By morning, both Jessica and her dolphin were gone. This case matters because it exposed critical failures in sex offender monitoring and directly resulted in Jessica's Law—legislation that now protects children across the United States with mandatory minimum sentences and lifetime electronic monitoring for predators. Content Warning: This episode contains detailed discussion of child abduction, sexual assault, and murder. It includes graphic details about the victim's captivity and death. Listener discretion is strongly advised. In This Episode: The Investigation: How law enforcement conducted a massive three-week search involving hundreds of volunteers, bloodhounds, helicopters, and multiple agencies—while Jessica was hidden just 65 yards from her home the entire time.The Perpetrator: John Evander Couey, a registered sex offender with a history of violence who was living with his sister next door to Jessica, and how systemic failures allowed him to reoffend.The Aftermath: The heartbreaking discovery, Couey's confession, his death before execution, and how Jessica's death led to the creation of Jessica's Law and Jessie's Place Children's Advocacy Center—saving countless children through strengthened protections. Resources: If you or someone you know needs support, please contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) or visit www.missingkids.org. The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) provides 24/7 support at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). Jessie's Place in Citrus County continues Jessica's legacy by providing free services to abused and traumatized children—learn more about their vital work and how to support them. This episode was meticulously researched using court documents, police reports, forensic testimony, and news archives from the investigation and trial. All facts have been verified against primary sources. Support Obscura: Obscura is an independent production dedicated to uncovering forgotten cases with unflinching detail. Join our Black Label community on Patreon for bonus episodes, extended cuts, ad-free listening, and exclusive research materials at https://www.patreon.com/obscuracrimepodcast. Our Sponsors: * Check out Chime: https://chime.com/OBSCURA * Check out Kensington Publishing: https://www.kensingtonbooks.com * Check out Mind of a Monster: The Killer Nurse: https://podcasts.apple.com * Check out Mood and use my code OBSCURA for a great deal: https://mood.com * Check out Progressive: https://www.progressive.com Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/obscura-a-true-crime-podcast/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Nov 11

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27 min

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