Firecracker: The Murder of Carol Ryan

4.2 (122)
TRUE CRIME
SERIES

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When police saw what was left of Carol Ryan’s body, dumped in the driveway of a suburban compost site, they wondered what weapon could cause that level of devastation. The truth was grislier than anyone imagined, and the unsolved mystery of Carol’s murder has haunted Central New York for 27 years. Carol’s only son blames police. After hundreds of interviews, investigators couldn’t make any leads stick. Three cops believe they know the man who killed Carol. He’s still out there. But they haven’t been able to prove it. The lead detective calls it the greatest regret of his career. This six-part podcast from syracuse.com explores the death and life of Carol Ryan and the chilling effect her unsolved murder had on a community. Reporter Katrina Tulloch spent over a year digging into the case, interviewing 25 people including law enforcement, medical professionals, industry experts, witnesses and people who knew Carol. The podcast outlines how Carol spent the hours leading up to her murder, how first responders bungled the crime scene, the challenges police have faced in trying to find her killer, and how DNA technology could break open the case any day.

TRAILER

Introducing Firecracker: The Murder of Carol Ryan

When police saw what was left of Carol Ryan’s body, dumped in the driveway of a suburban compost site in September of 1996, they wondered what weapon could cause that level of devastation. The truth was grislier than anyone imagined, and the unsolved mystery of Carol’s murder has haunted Central New York for decades. “Firecracker” is available exclusively and ad-free on Wondery+ beginning Nov. 13. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

11/10/2023

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2 min

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4.5 (91680)

TRUE CRIME
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4.3 (1267)

DOCUMENTARY
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4.6 (66363)

COMEDY
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4.8 (15347)

SPORTS
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4.9 (25478)

TRUE CRIME
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4.4 (227)

HISTORY

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Katrina Tulloch

Host

4.2

out of 5

122 Ratings

Bit underwhelming

Mar 30

RiliRoad

The crime itself is dramatic and unusual and empathize with the desire to try and keep Carol Ryan’s memory and case alive. However there really didn’t seem to be enough information available to warrant a multi-episode series. A lot of witnesses have died or cannot communicate anymore and the police can’t comment on much. A lot of interviewees were only slightly related to the case (second wife of a deceased suspect, husband of deceased sister, etc.) This case went ice cold fast and stayed that way.
Oooof

Nov 26

Mydarlingone

This could’ve been a really gripping story. The title alone is just so gross. I do hope someone with more tact covers it with compassion and the killer is caught.
I don’t get the hate

Nov 13

yveselise

I grew up in the area and didn’t even know about this (I was a kid when it happened). I found this to be informative and thought it was well done. Km grateful for getting to learn more. I pray someday Carol gets justice.
Insensitive

Jun 11

My name is Boo

The title of this podcast is insensitive considering what it’s covering. It’s disturbing sensationalism.

When police saw what was left of Carol Ryan’s body, dumped in the driveway of a suburban compost site, they wondered what weapon could cause that level of devastation. The truth was grislier than anyone imagined, and the unsolved mystery of Carol’s murder has haunted Central New York for 27 years. Carol’s only son blames police. After hundreds of interviews, investigators couldn’t make any leads stick. Three cops believe they know the man who killed Carol. He’s still out there. But they haven’t been able to prove it. The lead detective calls it the greatest regret of his career. This six-part podcast from syracuse.com explores the death and life of Carol Ryan and the chilling effect her unsolved murder had on a community. Reporter Katrina Tulloch spent over a year digging into the case, interviewing 25 people including law enforcement, medical professionals, industry experts, witnesses and people who knew Carol. The podcast outlines how Carol spent the hours leading up to her murder, how first responders bungled the crime scene, the challenges police have faced in trying to find her killer, and how DNA technology could break open the case any day.