Foul Play: Crime Series

4.5 (944)
TRUE CRIME
WEEKLY SERIES

Welcome to the riveting true crime podcast that takes you on a deep dive into the world's most gripping cases. Each season unravels a unique case—choose one that intrigues you and dive in.

EPISODE 14 • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

Hungary: Béla Kiss and the Lonely Hearts Murders

Episode 14 of 15 | Season 36: Serial Killers in History In a locked storage chamber in rural Hungary, seven sealed metal drums waited to reveal their terrible secrets—each containing the perfectly preserved body of a woman who had answered a marriage advertisement. The investigation into Hungary's most prolific lonely hearts killer reaches its chilling conclusion as we trace Béla Kiss's extraordinary escape from justice during the chaos of World War One. VICTIM PROFILE: Katherine Varga sold her dressmaking business for the promise of marriage. Margaret Toth trusted her mother's choice of a husband. These women weren't victims of circumstance—they were successful, independent, and looking for partnership in an era when marriage advertisements represented a respectable path to companionship. They responded to notices in Budapest newspapers, exchanged romantic letters with a successful tinsmith named Béla Kiss, and traveled alone to his home in Cinkota with their valuables and their hopes. The skills that had supported Katherine's independence—her precise needlework—would later identify her remains years after Kiss strangled her and sealed her body in an alcohol-filled drum. THE CRIME: This case changed how Hungarian law enforcement approached missing persons cases and marriage advertisement fraud. Kiss's crimes exposed the vulnerability of women seeking companionship in early twentieth-century society and demonstrated how a charismatic predator could weaponize social conventions for years without detection. The preserved bodies—so pristine that victims remained recognizable years after death—stand as haunting evidence of how ordinary systems can shield extraordinary evil. Béla Kiss remains one of criminology's greatest unsolved mysteries, his ability to disappear so completely ensuring his story continues to captivate researchers worldwide. Content Warning: This episode contains descriptions of violence against women and discussions of serial murder. Listener discretion advised. KEY CASE DETAILS: The investigation into Béla Kiss began in mid-1916 when landlord Márton Kresinszky and pharmacist Béla Takács discovered seven metal drums in Kiss's locked storage chamber. Each drum, professionally sealed with lead solder, contained a woman's body preserved in wood alcohol and strangled with a rope or garrotte. Investigators found seventeen more bodies throughout the property, bringing the total to twenty-four victims—all killed with the same methodical approach. Timeline: Kiss operated between 1912-1914, placing matrimonial advertisements in Budapest newspapers under the alias "Hofmann." Conscripted to the 40th Honvéd Infantry Brigade in 1914, he left his home in housekeeper Mrs. Jakubec's care. The discovery came nearly two years later during renovation preparations. Method: Kiss corresponded with 174 women, actively pursued 74, and lured victims by emphasizing his financial stability and respectable tinsmith business. He requested women travel alone and bring their valuables. After strangling them, he took their assets and preserved bodies in alcohol-filled drums—a technique that astounded medical examiners with its effectiveness. Escape: In October 1916, Detective Chief Charles Nagy traveled to a Serbian military hospital after reports Kiss was alive. He arrived to find a corpse in Kiss's bed—but the face was wrong. Kiss had switched identity documents with a dying soldier and walked out of the hospital into the chaos of war-torn Serbia. Aftermath: In 1932, New York City homicide detective Henry Oswald was certain he spotted Kiss emerging from the Times Square subway station. The sighting was never confirmed. Whether Kiss died in the trenches, lived out his days under an assumed identity, or met some other fate remains unknown. The mathematics of his notebook—174 contacts, 74 pursued, 24 found—leaves terrible questions about fifty unaccounted women.

23 min

See All Season 37 (1)

The darkest true crime cases are the ones you've never heard of. Obscura investigates murders written off as accidents, disappearances dismissed as runaways, and obscure cases buried in forgotten files. Host Justin Drown delivers unflinching investigations through real archival audio, court records, and graphic forensic detail. No comedy. No sanitized narratives. Only the complete truth. New episodes every Tuesday.

4.6 (2745)

TRUE CRIME
Discover forgotten stories from small-town America that never made it into history books. Hometown History is the podcast uncovering hidden American history—overlooked events, local mysteries, and untold tragedies from communities across the nation. Every week, meticulous research brings pre-2000 small-town stories to life in 20-minute episodes. From forgotten disasters to local legends, hidden chapters to pivotal moments, each episode explores a different town's overlooked history. Perfect for history enthusiasts seeking forgotten American stories, small-town history, and local history that shaped our nation. Respectful storytelling meets educational depth—history podcast content for curious minds who want to learn about America's hidden past without hour-long episodes.

4.5 (136)

HISTORY
Join Gemma Hoskins, the beloved advocate from Netflix's The Keepers, and veteran crime podcaster Shane Waters as they revisit the unsolved murder of Sister Cathy Cesnik, a young nun whose mysterious death in 1969 has haunted Baltimore for decades. Who Killed Sister Cathy? goes beyond the documentary, bringing you new interviews, fresh perspectives, and revelations that have never been heard before. Together, Gemma and Shane are relentless in their pursuit of the truth, unraveling secrets and untold stories that point to a conspiracy that shook a community to its core. This is not just a podcast—it's an ongoing investigation that seeks justice for Sister Cathy and comfort for those who loved her. Visit us online at itsfoulplay.com We also welcome you to Shane's main crime series podcast, with more than 34 series: Foul Play.

4.6 (10)

TRUE CRIME
Unlock the unknown with the gang on the Mystery Inc Podcast—your go-to source for real-life mysteries that defy explanation. Hop into our Mystery Machine Tesla as we hit the road, diving deep into the enigmas that leave even the skeptics questioning reality. From haunted hideaways to unsolved crimes, each episode is a riveting journey through the baffling and the bizarre. The mystery is out there; are you in?

4.2 (137)

TRUE CRIME
Embark on an unprecedented journey into the dark mind of America's most elusive serial killer. This definitive 24-episode series, complemented by 4 exclusive bonus episodes, offers the most exhaustive exploration of the Zodiac case ever created. We unravel every chilling detail—from cryptic ciphers and taunting letters to overlooked evidence and the profiles of potential suspects. All major theories are meticulously examined and presented in a captivating, easily digestible narrative. Stay with us as we continue to update future episodes with new discoveries, striving to shed light on a mystery that has baffled investigators for decades. If you're a true crime enthusiast seeking depth and clarity, this is the series you've been waiting for. If you have suggestions for this series contact me at Shane@blacklabelpodcasts.com

4.0 (8)

TRUE CRIME
The Redhead Murders unearths the chilling, true story of a forgotten series of killings that terrorized the highways of America in the 1980s. This season follows Shane Waters, a relentless investigator who has spent years tracking the twisted trail of an elusive serial killer targeting red-haired, vulnerable women—often overlooked, often nameless. These "Jane Does" were found discarded along remote stretches of road, their stories untold and justice elusive. Shane’s pursuit of truth sheds light on the shadowed corners of society and the lives of those left behind, blending raw storytelling with meticulous research to expose not just the mystery of their deaths, but the systemic neglect that allowed this predator to go unchecked. Join Shane as he reveals exclusive insights from case files, interviews, and his own investigations into this haunting case. As the season unfolds, listeners will dive into America’s dark underbelly, unraveling the harrowing details behind each victim's story and the chilling psyche of a killer who preyed on society’s most vulnerable. The Redhead Murders is more than a journey into the past—it's a call to remember, to uncover, and to bring justice to the forgotten. itsfoulplay.com

5.0 (3)

TRUE CRIME

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Gemma Hoskins

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Shane L. Waters

Host
Wendy Cee

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4.5

out of 5

944 Ratings

Foul Play: crime series

5d ago

Karinluke

The latest series is AWESOME! I love the way the historical story is told: clear and compelling.
😻

06/18/2024

1eyedear

superlative❣️
FLUFF FACTOR: 26% OOF.

02/28/2025

Bschora

/ Episode length: 23 min / Ads + Fluff ⭕️ ⬆️: 6 min / Avg time between ads: 8 min. / Based on episode: S36E1 ============================ /Extremely Obnoxious Ads.
Obnoxious casino commercials

02/23/2025

TildaJean

Cannot listen to

Welcome to the riveting true crime podcast that takes you on a deep dive into the world's most gripping cases. Each season unravels a unique case—choose one that intrigues you and dive in.