Bloody Angola: A Podcast by Jim Chapman

Envision Podcast Productions
  • 4.8 (703)
  • Documentary
  • Updated Weekly

Bloody Angola features the complete history of Louisiana's most notorious prison. Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola and beyond.

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  1. 2d ago

    50 Shades of Evil: Minnesota - Michael John Anderson

    “The Craigslist Killer” In October 2007, 24-year-old Katherine Ann Olson, a bright theater and Hispanic studies graduate from St. Olaf College, responded to what seemed like a straightforward babysitting job posting on Craigslist. She arrived at a home in Savage, Minnesota, expecting to care for a child. Instead, she walked into a nightmare. This episode dives deep into the chilling case of Michael John Anderson, the 19-year-old who posed as "Amy" online to lure his victim. What started as a seemingly random ad quickly unraveled into a premeditated murder driven by a disturbing desire to know what it felt like to kill. Anderson shot Katherine in his parents' home, leaving behind a trail of evidence that would lead to his swift arrest and conviction. Jim explores Anderson's background, the investigation that exposed the deception, the dramatic trial where he was found guilty of first-degree premeditated murder (among other charges), and his life sentence without parole. This case marked one of the earliest high-profile "Craigslist Killer" stories, highlighting the hidden dangers of early online classifieds in an era before widespread awareness of internet safety. Timestamps 03:18 Catherine Olson’s Childhood 06:56 Michael Anderson’s Early Years 10:09 College Dreams and Warning Signs 13:45 The Fake Babysitting Ad 17:45 Missing Person Leads Police 23:53 Detective Closes In 25:56 The Car and Body Found 28:39 Anderson’s Interview Unravels 30:41 Trial and Verdict 34:05 Sentencing and Aftermath Join Bloody Angola on Patreon for Commercial Free Early Releases and more here: www.patreon.com/bloodyangolapodcast

    50 Shades of Evil: Minnesota - Michael John Anderson

  2. 3d ago • The Chase Team Only

    50 Shades of Evil: Minnesota - Michael John Anderson (AD Free)

    “The Craigslist Killer” In October 2007, 24-year-old Katherine Ann Olson, a bright theater and Hispanic studies graduate from St. Olaf College, responded to what seemed like a straightforward babysitting job posting on Craigslist. She arrived at a home in Savage, Minnesota, expecting to care for a child. Instead, she walked into a nightmare. This episode dives deep into the chilling case of Michael John Anderson, the 19-year-old who posed as "Amy" online to lure his victim. What started as a seemingly random ad quickly unraveled into a premeditated murder driven by a disturbing desire to know what it felt like to kill. Anderson shot Katherine in his parents' home, leaving behind a trail of evidence that would lead to his swift arrest and conviction. Jim explores Anderson's background, the investigation that exposed the deception, the dramatic trial where he was found guilty of first-degree premeditated murder (among other charges), and his life sentence without parole. This case marked one of the earliest high-profile "Craigslist Killer" stories, highlighting the hidden dangers of early online classifieds in an era before widespread awareness of internet safety.

    50 Shades of Evil: Minnesota - Michael John Anderson (AD Free)

  3. Jul 9

    50 Shades of Evil: Iowa - Cristhian Bahena Rivera

    Mollie Tibbetts, a 20-year-old University of Iowa student was home for the summer, working, running regularly, and spending time with family and her boyfriend when she disappeared on the evening of July 18, 2018, triggering a large search by family, volunteers, and law enforcement. The  evidence  led investigators to Cristhian Bahena Rivera, including surveillance video of his vehicle following Molly and his eventual statements to police. He led investigators to her body in a cornfield, and the autopsy ruled her death a homicide caused by multiple sharp force injuries. Join Bloody Angola on Patreon for Commercial Free Early Releases and more here: www.patreon.com/bloodyangolapodcast Cozy Earth: Get 30% off on Bamboo sheet sets, pajama sets, pillows, comforters and so much more! Use the code EXPOSED at checkout. www.CozyEarth.com

    50 Shades of Evil: Iowa - Cristhian Bahena Rivera

  4. Jul 7 • The Chase Team Only

    50 Shades of Evil: Iowa - Cristhian Rivera (AD Free)

    Mollie Tibbetts, a 20-year-old University of Iowa student was home for the summer, working, running regularly, and spending time with family and her boyfriend when she disappeared on the evening of July 18, 2018, triggering a large search by family, volunteers, and law enforcement. The evidence led investigators to Cristhian Bahena Rivera, including surveillance video of his vehicle following Molly and his eventual statements to police. He led investigators to her body in a cornfield, and the autopsy ruled her death a homicide caused by multiple sharp force injuries.

    50 Shades of Evil: Iowa - Cristhian Rivera (AD Free)

  5. Jun 30

    50 Shades of Evil: Virginia - Christopher Bryan Speight

    In the quiet rural community of Appomattox, Virginia, a horrifying family dispute erupted into one of the deadliest mass shootings in the state's history. On January 19, 2010, 40-year-old Christopher Bryan Speight went on a brutal rampage, methodically gunning down eight people—including his own sister, her husband, their two young children, and several neighbors—before fleeing into the surrounding woods. What started as a conflict over the family home quickly spiraled into unthinkable violence. Speight not only slaughtered his relatives but also shot at a Virginia State Police helicopter during a massive manhunt, forcing it to make an emergency landing. After an overnight standoff, he eventually surrendered to authorities.  In this gripping solo episode, Jim dives deep into the timeline of the Appomattox massacre, the chilling details of Speight's confession, his claims that an Egyptian goddess named Jennifer ordered him to kill because his family was "possessed by demons," and the mental health evaluations that ultimately spared him from the death penalty. Chapters 03:04 Rural Virginia Beginnings 08:16 Loss and Fracture 11:12 House Dispute Turns Deadly 18:04 Delusions and Arrest 22:40 Guilty Plea and Sentencing 29:35 No Closure, Only Memory Join Bloody Angola on Patreon for Commercial Free Early Releases and more here: www.patreon.com/bloodyangolapodcast

    50 Shades of Evil: Virginia - Christopher Bryan Speight

  6. Jun 29 • The Chase Team Only

    50 Shades of Evil: Virginia - Christopher Bryan Speight (AD Free)

    In the quiet rural community of Appomattox, Virginia, a horrifying family dispute erupted into one of the deadliest mass shootings in the state's history. On January 19, 2010, 40-year-old Christopher Bryan Speight went on a brutal rampage, methodically gunning down eight people—including his own sister, her husband, their two young children, and several neighbors—before fleeing into the surrounding woods. What started as a conflict over the family home quickly spiraled into unthinkable violence. Speight not only slaughtered his relatives but also shot at a Virginia State Police helicopter during a massive manhunt, forcing it to make an emergency landing. After an overnight standoff, he eventually surrendered to authorities. In this gripping solo episode, Jim dives deep into the timeline of the Appomattox massacre, the chilling details of Speight's confession, his claims that an Egyptian goddess named Jennifer ordered him to kill because his family was "possessed by demons," and the mental health evaluations that ultimately spared him from the death penalty.

    50 Shades of Evil: Virginia - Christopher Bryan Speight (AD Free)

  7. Jun 25

    50 Shades of Evil: Montana - Michael Spell

    In the early morning hours of January 7, 2012, beloved Sidney High School math teacher Sherry Arnold laced up her running shoes for a routine jog through her quiet Montana neighborhood. She never came home. What began as a desperate search for a missing wife, mother, and pillar of the community quickly spiraled into one of the most shocking crimes in northeast Montana’s history. Two men from Colorado — Lester Waters and a young Michael Spell — had driven to the region chasing oilfield work during the height of the Bakken boom. High on crack cocaine and looking for trouble, they spotted Arnold running alone in the dark and made a split-second, horrific decision. In this episode of 50 Shades of Evil, Jim Chapman breaks down the full story of Michael Spell’s Montana crimes: the random abduction, the violent struggle inside their Ford Explorer that ended Sherry Arnold’s life, the desperate attempt to hide her body across the state line in North Dakota, and the intense investigation that followed. We explore Spell’s troubling background, his significant intellectual disabilities, the lengthy competency battle that delayed justice, and his eventual guilty plea to deliberate homicide. Jim examines the broader impact on the once-sleepy oil boom town of Sidney and the lingering questions about culpability, manipulation, and evil when drugs and damaged minds collide. Later, while serving his 100-year sentence inside Montana State Prison, Spell faced new criminal charges — including allegations tied to violence against another inmate and a 2024 incident involving a female corrections officer. Chapters  07:12 Fatherhood and Addiction 09:10 Early Criminal Trouble  16:22 Sherry Arnold's Final Jog  22:17 Competency Battles  29:21 Prison Violence Continues  35:44 Spell's Grim Present Michael Spell, Sherry Arnold murder, Sidney Montana, Bakken oil boom crime, Montana true crime, teacher abduction, crack cocaine murder, deliberate homicide

    50 Shades of Evil: Montana - Michael Spell

  8. Jun 23 • The Chase Team Only

    50 Shades of Evil: Montana - Michael Spell (AD Free)

    In the early morning hours of January 7, 2012, beloved Sidney High School math teacher Sherry Arnold laced up her running shoes for a routine jog through her quiet Montana neighborhood. She never came home. What began as a desperate search for a missing wife, mother, and pillar of the community quickly spiraled into one of the most shocking crimes in northeast Montana’s history. Two men from Colorado — Lester Waters and a young Michael Spell — had driven to the region chasing oilfield work during the height of the Bakken boom. High on crack cocaine and looking for trouble, they spotted Arnold running alone in the dark and made a split-second, horrific decision. In this episode of 50 Shades of Evil, Jim Chapman breaks down the full story of Michael Spell’s Montana crimes: the random abduction, the violent struggle inside their Ford Explorer that ended Sherry Arnold’s life, the desperate attempt to hide her body across the state line in North Dakota, and the intense investigation that followed. We explore Spell’s troubling background, his significant intellectual disabilities, the lengthy competency battle that delayed justice, and his eventual guilty plea to deliberate homicide. Jim examines the broader impact on the once-sleepy oil boom town of Sidney and the lingering questions about culpability, manipulation, and evil when drugs and damaged minds collide. Later, while serving his 100-year sentence inside Montana State Prison, Spell faced new criminal charges — including allegations tied to violence against another inmate and a 2024 incident involving a female corrections officer.

    50 Shades of Evil: Montana - Michael Spell (AD Free)
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Bloody Angola features the complete history of Louisiana's most notorious prison. Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola and beyond.

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