Criminal, Interrupted

Sophie Imogen
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Criminal, Interrupted is a true crime podcast that dives into cases where something doesn’t add up. As the host of Criminal, Interrupted, I studied psychological science and criminology, and being a level of understanding of human behaviour and storytelling to the podcast. Once a week, I share a case that lingers in my mind and I invite listeners to explore the stories with me.

  1. World's Worst Mother: Diane Downs (Part One)

    MAR 27

    World's Worst Mother: Diane Downs (Part One)

    In May 1983, a young mother named Diane Downs rushed into an Oregon hospital with a story that seemed like a parent's worst nightmare. She claimed a stranger had stopped her on a rural road and opened fire on her three kids. By the time they reached the ER, one child was gone, and the other two were fighting for every breath. This episode will be in two parts due to the length of information. If you enjoy these episodes, I encourage you to follow or subscribe to Criminal, Interrupted on your favourite podcast app. As I’ve mentioned before, I'm currently focusing on this podcast full-time due to a heart condition, so every follow and review makes a huge difference. Thank you for listening, and for your incredible support. Diane Downs: Her Children Got in the Way of Her Love by Joseph Geringer World's Most Evil Killers - Diane Downs Inside Edition - The True Story of Diane Downs: How a Mother Shot Her 3 Kids for Her Lover Youtube Dreading - When a Mother Kills Her Children: The Case of Diane Downs

    49 min
  2. A Monster Killing Another Monster: The Death of Ian Huntley

    MAR 22

    A Monster Killing Another Monster: The Death of Ian Huntley

    This episode examines the fatal 2026 attack on Ian Huntley inside HMP Frankland and the identification of Anthony Russell as the inmate charged with his murder. I outline the events leading to Huntley’s death, Russell’s criminal history, and the public reaction that followed. Note: This isn’t a long episode as there isn’t much information out there regarding Anthony Russell. Content Warning: This episode contains factual discussion of murder, child abuse, sexual violence, and assaults on vulnerable individuals. References: ​Wikipedia: Anthony Russell​Wikipedia: Soham Murders​Youtube: Truly Criminal - Anthony Russell: The Killer of Ian Huntley​The Independent: Inmate appears in court charged with murder of Soham killer Ian Huntley​ITV News: Timeline into Anthony Russell's seven days of murders in Coventry and Leamington​Podcast: Criminal, Interrupted - The Soham Murders: Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman

    15 min
  3. Behind the Façade: The Hart Family Case

    FEB 20

    Behind the Façade: The Hart Family Case

    On March 26th, 2018, a family SUV was found at the base of a cliff on California’s Highway 1. At first it looked like a tragic accident , a road trip gone wrong. But investigators quickly realized there were no skid marks, no signs of braking, and all six Hart children were missing. What followed was the unraveling of a carefully crafted public image, revealing years of overlooked warning signs, systemic failures, and a deliberate act that shocked the nation. Content Warning: This episode includes descriptions of child abuse, neglect, and the deaths of minors.

    22 min
  4. William MacDonald: The Sydney Mutilator

    JAN 19

    William MacDonald: The Sydney Mutilator

    In the early 1960s, Sydney was a vibrant city, unaware that a predator was moving quietly through its streets. Between 1961 and 1962, five men would fall victim to a killer whose brutality shocked Australia and left investigators scrambling for answers. His name was William Macdonald, an English migrant who blended into the city by day and hunted its most vulnerable by night. Known later as “The Mutilator", Macdonald became one of Australia’s earliest recognised serial killers, targeting men he lured with alcohol before attacking them with sudden, frenzied violence. His crimes unfolded across familiar Sydney locations, Darlinghurst, Moore Park, the Domain, turning ordinary public spaces into scenes of horror. In today’s episode, we explore the life and crimes of William Macdonald, a killer whose brutality left a lasting mark on Australia. Australia’s Most Feared Serial Killer William MacDonaldCORONERS COURT OF NEW SOUTH WALES - William MacDonaldMurders Most Foul - William MacDonald “The Mutilator,” Sydney’s Most Disturbed Serial Killer.The Daily Telegraph - The Mutilator dead at 90: William MacDonald, who cut off victims’ genitalia, was NSW’s longest-serving prisonerThe Serial Killer Podcast - William MacDonald | William The Mutilator MacDonald - Part 1 & 2

    30 min
  5. Mick Philpott: Derbys Worst Father

    JAN 11

    Mick Philpott: Derbys Worst Father

    On 11 May 2012, a house fire on Victory Road in Derby, England, resulted in the deaths of six children from the same family: Duwayne, Jade, John, Jack, Jesse, and Jayden Philpott. The incident initially appeared to be a tragic accident, but within days, the investigation shifted focus to the children’s parents, Mick and Mairead Philpott. R v Philpott, Philpott and Mosley Sentencing RemarksThe Guardian - Mick and Mairead Philpott convicted of manslaughter over Derby house fireYahoo News - Killer dad Mick Philpott 'in a bad way' after being 'attacked in prison'BBC.news - https://www.bbc.com/news/special/panels/13/apr/philpott/inc/half_wide/panel.inc?utm_source=copilot.com

    42 min
  6. The Watts Family Murders: Christopher Watts' Selfish Decision

    JAN 5

    The Watts Family Murders: Christopher Watts' Selfish Decision

    In August 2018, the disappearance of Shanann Watts and her two young daughters captured the attention of the world. What began as a missing‑persons case in a quiet Colorado suburb quickly unraveled into one of the most shocking family tragedies in recent history. Content Warning: This episode contains detailed discussion of homicide, child harm, and emotionally distressing material. Listener discretion is strongly advised. References: Burden of Proof Podcast: Chris Watts Deep DiveCrime Vault Youtube: Chris Watts Interview Dreading (crime and psychology) Youtube: Chris Watts SeriesABC11: Shannon Watts' mother speaks at sentencing Wikipedia: Watts Family MurdersPeople.com - Where Is Chris Watts Now? Inside His Life in Prison 7 Years After Murdering His Wife and KidsNetflix - American murder: The Family Next Door

    1h 10m
  7. The Arkansas Christmas Murders: Ronald Gene Simmons

    12/24/2025

    The Arkansas Christmas Murders: Ronald Gene Simmons

    In the winter of 1987, in the quiet rural stretch of Pope County, Arkansas, a man named Ronald Gene Simmons committed one of the most devastating crimes in American history. Over the course of three days, he murdered sixteen people, fourteen of them his own family. It was a crime so calculated, so intimate, and so incomprehensible that even today, decades later, investigators, psychologists, and surviving relatives still struggle with the same question: Why? Content Warning: This episodes discusses murder of children, gun violence and suicide. Listener discretion is advised. References: Wikipedia: Ronald Gene SimmonsThe Devil of Pope County: America's Worst Family Massacre (Podcast Series)True Crime All The Time Podcast - Ronald Gene SimmonsNew York Times, Mass Slayer Abused Wife, Got Daughter Pregnant, In-Laws SayTHE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES - 88-7146, 01-10-1990Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts (.gov) https://www.tncourts.gov › sites › default › filesSimmons v. State, No. CR 89-45.Franz v. State, No. CR 88-76.Ronald Gene Simmons (1940–1990), Encyclopedia of Arkansas

    1h 27m
  8. Katherine Knight: The Australian Butcher

    12/16/2025

    Katherine Knight: The Australian Butcher

    In February 2000, the quiet town of Aberdeen, New South Wales, became the centre of one of Australia’s most shocking criminal cases. Katherine Knight , a former abattoir worker with a long history of violence in her relationships , murdered her partner, 44‑year‑old John Price, stabbing him at least 37 times during a final escalation of domestic conflict. What followed stunned even seasoned investigators: Knight mutilated Price after his death, actions that would ultimately make her the first woman in Australian history to receive a life sentence with no possibility of parole. Content Warning: This episode contains descriptions of extreme domestic violence, psychological abuse, and graphic criminal acts. Please take care of yourself, and feel free to step away at any time. References: Wikipedia - Katherine KnightCase File Podcast - Katherine KnightThe Casual Criminalist Podcast - Katherine Knight: Australia's Hannibal LecterCrimes that Shook Australia - Katherine Mary KnightMurderpedia - Katherine Knight

    40 min
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About

Criminal, Interrupted is a true crime podcast that dives into cases where something doesn’t add up. As the host of Criminal, Interrupted, I studied psychological science and criminology, and being a level of understanding of human behaviour and storytelling to the podcast. Once a week, I share a case that lingers in my mind and I invite listeners to explore the stories with me.

Information

  • Creator
    Sophie Imogen
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    36
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Sophie Imogen
  • Show Website
    Criminal, Interrupted

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