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Once Upon A Crime

Esther Ludlow

Step into the darker side of history with Once Upon A Crime, a true-crime podcast that delves deep into some of the world’s most gripping cases. Hosted by an expert storyteller, Esther Ludlow, each episode unravels the mysteries behind notorious crimes, exploring the lives of victims, perpetrators, and the intricate details of the investigations that followed. With carefully researched narratives, thematic series, and thoughtful insights, Once Upon A Crime offers listeners a captivating blend of suspense, history, and human psychology. Whether you're a seasoned true-crime fan or just curious about the stories that shaped headlines, Once Upon A Crime promises to keep you on the edge of your seat.

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#385
Yesterday · 37 min
Taylor Parker — Deadly Deception
Taylor Parker presented herself as a hardworking Texas country girl, a devoted girlfriend, an heiress to a family fortune—and soon, an excited mother-to-be. There was just one problem. Much of it wasn't true. Taylor wasn't an heiress. The millions she promised her boyfriend didn't exist. And despite the ultrasound photos, maternity pictures, growing belly, gender reveal, and nursery, Taylor wasn't pregnant—and couldn't become pregnant. But as her supposed due date came and went, Taylor was running out of ways to keep the deception alive. On October 9, 2020, 21-year-old Reagan Simmons-Hancock—35 weeks pregnant with her second daughter—was murdered inside her New Boston, Texas, home. Taylor then attempted to pass Reagan's baby off as her own. In this episode of Once Upon a Crime, we examine the years of deception that preceded the murder and ask a larger question: What happens when maintaining the person you've invented becomes more important than admitting the truth? We'll explore Taylor Parker's history of fabricating illnesses, wealth, crises, and relationships; the extraordinary lengths she went to in order to convince boyfriend Wade Griffin that she was pregnant; and the prosecution's contention that the fake pregnancy was part of Taylor's desperate effort to keep him from leaving her. We'll also look beyond the Netflix documentary Maternal Instinct to examine Taylor's background and family relationships, as well as the conflicting psychological and neurological testimony presented during the penalty phase of her trial. As Wade Griffin would later say of Taylor: "She painted a pretty picture." But when that picture began to fall apart, Reagan Simmons-Hancock and her daughter, Braxlynn, would pay an unimaginable price. Content Warning: This episode discusses the murder of a pregnant woman, fetal abduction, pregnancy loss, and violence. Some listeners may find the subject matter particularly distressing. Sources & Further Reading Texas Court of Criminal Appeals — Parker v. State of Texas (2025) The court's opinion affirming Taylor Parker's capital murder conviction and death sentence. This is an especially valuable source for the trial evidence, prosecution theory, testimony concerning Parker's deceptions, and issues raised on appeal. Read the court opinion via Justia Netflix — Maternal Instinct Jessica Dimmock's 2026 documentary examines the Taylor Parker case through interviews, law-enforcement footage, and people directly affected by Parker's deceptions and crimes. Maternal Instinct — Netflix Tudum Netflix Tudum — Maternal Instinct Director Interview Director Jessica Dimmock discusses the case, fetal abduction, and questions surrounding Parker's psychological evaluation. Read the director interview KTAL/NBC 6 — Taylor Parker Trial Coverage Extensive local reporting from Parker's capital murder trial, including testimony from former boyfriend Wade Griffin and other witnesses. https://www.ktalnews.com/news/crime/taylor-parker-trial/ex-boyfriend-takes-stand-in-taylor-parker-capital-murder-trial/ KTLA/Nexstar — Red Flags Revealed During Taylor Parker Trial Reporting on testimony concerning Parker's false pregnancy and the suspicions raised by people close to her and Griffin. https://ktla.com/news/nexstar-media-wire/red-flags-revealed-in-trial-of-woman-accused-of-killing-woman-unborn-child/ TIME — The True Story Behind Maternal Instinct Background reporting published in connection with the release of the Netflix documentary. https://time.com/article/2026/06/12/maternal-instinct-true-story-netflix/ Yahoo — Taylor Parker Family Guide Additional background concerning Parker's family, relationships, and personal history. https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/taylor-parker-family-guide-everything-181259347.html The Tab — Taylor Parker's Childhood and Family Background Supplemental reporting about Parker's upbringing and testimony concerning her family history. https://thetab.com/2026/06/18/details-about-taylor-parkers-childhood-and-trauma-you-should-know-after-maternal-instinct The Tab — Taylor Parker Hospital Interrogation Additional reporting concerning Parker's statements and behavior at the hospital following the crime. https://thetab.com/2026/06/17/full-video-of-taylor-parkers-hospital-interrogation-is-worse-than-what-was-in-maternal-instinct Additional Background Wikipedia — Murder of Reagan Simmons-Hancock https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Reagan_Simmons-Hancock Support Once Upon a Crime on Patreon: patreon.com/onceuponacrime Patreon members get access to monthly bonus episodes, behind-the-scenes content, videos, ad-free episodes, blooper reels, and more—starting at just $5 per month. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#384
September 21 · 41 min
Mackenzie Shirilla: Behind the Image — The True Story Behind Netflix’s “The Crash”
In July 2022, 17-year-old Mackenzie Shirilla was behind the wheel of a car that slammed into a brick building in Strongsville, Ohio, at nearly 100 miles per hour. Her boyfriend, 20-year-old Dominic “Dom” Russo, and their friend, 19-year-old Davion Flanagan, were killed. Mackenzie survived. What initially appeared to be a horrific accident soon became a double-murder investigation. Mackenzie maintained that she couldn't remember the moments before the crash, and her defense raised the possibility that a medical condition caused her to black out. But investigators pointed to surveillance footage, vehicle data showing full acceleration and no braking in the final seconds, and troubling evidence from Mackenzie's relationship with Dom. She was ultimately convicted of murder and sentenced to 15 years to life in prison. The 2026 Netflix documentary The Crash introduced the case—and Mackenzie herself—to a much wider audience. But in this episode of Once Upon a Crime, we look beyond the question of accident or murder to examine the contrasting images of Mackenzie Shirilla. There was the Mackenzie she presented on social media: a fashion-loving, rebellious would-be influencer seemingly devoted to her longtime boyfriend. There was the Mackenzie investigators and prosecutors said existed behind the screen: a volatile and controlling girlfriend whose private messages and recorded interactions with Dom told a much darker story. And then there is the Mackenzie the public sees today—the convicted murderer whose old TikToks, behavior after the crash, and first prison interview have been dissected by millions of strangers searching for evidence of guilt, innocence, or remorse. Who was the real Mackenzie Shirilla? And how much can social media—or even a documentary—really tell us about the person behind the image? **** truecrimepodcast.com - For links to all our social media channels and Patreon. Support the show by visiting our sponsors! Vinted - Ready to clean out your closet and make some extra money? Download the Vinted app for free and start listing! Talkiatry - Go to talkiatry.com/ONCE to complete a short assessment and get matched with an in-network psychiatrist in just a few minutes. Jones Road - Head to jonesroadbeauty.com and use code ONCE at checkout to receive a free full-sized mascara with your first purchase. Resources Netflix — The Crash The 2026 documentary examines the crash, investigation, trial, and competing accounts of what happened, and includes Mackenzie Shirilla's first public interview from prison. https://www.netflix.com/title/81941710 Netflix Tudum — The Crash: The Case and Documentary Background on Dominic Russo and Davion Flanagan, the investigation, surveillance and vehicle evidence, trial, and interviews featured in the documentary. https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/the-crash-release-date-news Netflix Tudum — Mackenzie Shirilla Speaks from Prison More about Mackenzie's interview for The Crash, her claim that the collision was not intentional, the POTS defense, and the role her social-media history played in perceptions of the case. https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/the-crash-where-is-mackenzie-shirilla-now Netflix Tudum — Mackenzie and Dom's Text Messages The filmmakers discuss thousands of text messages and recorded calls released by Strongsville police and what they reveal about the relationship between Mackenzie and Dom. https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/the-crash-mackenzie-shirilla-text-messages Ohio Court of Appeals — State v. Shirilla, 2026-Ohio-830 The March 2026 appellate decision affirming the dismissal of Shirilla's petition for post-conviction relief. https://law.justia.com/cases/ohio/eighth-district-court-of-appeals/2026/115101.html Time Magazine - “The Harrowing True Story Behind ‘The Crash’” https://time.com/article/2026/05/15/the-crash-true-story/ People - “Mackenzie Shirilla Loses Last Chance to Appeal Murder Conviction at State Level” https://people.com/mackenzie-shirilla-loses-last-chance-to-appeal-murder-conviction-state-level-12094674 Criminally Obsessed - “Mackenzie Shirilla ‘Loves Being Hated”: Forensic Psychologist Reacts to Netflix’s ‘The Crash’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPoybP5gE8Y If you or someone you know is experiencing dating abuse: National Domestic Violence Hotline https://www.thehotline.org Call 800-799-SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788. Sources and additional reading: Netflix/Tudum, Ohio Eighth District Court of Appeals, court records and materials cited in the episode. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
September 18 · 1 hr
BONUS: Why Did They Stay? Inside the Sedona Sweat Lodge Tragedy: A Discussion with Author Annette McGivney
In this bonus episode, Esther shares the complete interview with journalist Annette McGivney, author of Plastic Shaman: The True Story of a Deadly Self-Help Retreat and America’s Misguided Quest for Wellness, expanding on the 2009 Sedona sweat lodge tragedy and self-help guru James Arthur Ray. McGivney details Ray’s rise from 1990s business motivational speaking to fame via The Secret and Oprah, his blending of secular “prosperity gospel” with spirituality, and prior warning incidents of heat illness before 2009. They discuss why attendees stayed in the dangerously hot lodge (cost, credibility, coercion, impaired thinking), staff dynamics, and profiles of victims Kirby Brown, Liz Newman, and James Shore. The conversation also covers commercialization and appropriation of Indigenous ceremonies, the term “plastic shaman,” Ray’s post-prison comeback and lack of regulation, his 2025 death, McGivney’s personal wellness journey, red flags, and the Seek Safely resource See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#383
September 14 · 32 min
The Sedona Sweat Lodge Tragedy
In 2009, self-help superstar James Arthur Ray invited dozens of followers to a six-day retreat near Sedona, Arizona, promising a life-changing journey of spiritual transformation. Instead, his Spiritual Warrior program ended in tragedy when three participants—Kirby Brown, James Shore, and Liz Neuman—died following an extreme sweat lodge ceremony. Once Upon a Crime first covered the case in 2019 as part of our Deadly Therapy series. Now, Esther revisits the story with new insight from journalist and author Annette McGivney, whose new book, Plastic Shaman: The True Story of a Deadly Self-Help Retreat and America’s Misguided Quest for Wellness, takes a deeper look at the tragedy and the culture that allowed it. Throughout the episode, Annette discusses her years of research into the case, the warning signs that preceded the deaths, the psychological pressure that kept participants pushing past their physical limits, and Ray’s appropriation of Indigenous spiritual traditions. The case also raises a question that remains relevant today: When does the pursuit of self-improvement cross the line into exploitation—and how do we recognize a dangerous guru before it’s too late? Patreon Bonus: You’ll hear excerpts from Esther’s conversation with Annette throughout this episode. Once Upon a Crime Patreon members can hear the complete, uncut interview with Annette McGivney, where she shares more about her investigation, the people at the center of the tragedy, and what the Sedona case can teach us about today’s self-help and wellness industry. Become a member starting at just $5 per month at patreon.com/onceuponacrime. Featured Book: Plastic Shaman: The True Story of a Deadly Self-Help Retreat and America’s Misguided Quest for Wellness by Annette McGivney https://www.torreyhouse.org/plastic-shaman https://azdailysun.com/flaglive/annette-mcgivney-dives-into-impacts-of-self-help-schemes-with-new-book-plastic-shaman/article_42b52fe1-5d6d-4c40-9693-dd2dd468307e.html Support the show by visiting our sponsors! Vinted - Ready to clean out your closet and make some extra money? Download the Vinted app for free and start listing! Talkiatry - Go to talkiatry.com/ONCE to complete a short assessment and get matched with an in-network psychiatrist in just a few minutes. Jones Road - Head to jonesroadbeauty.com and use code ONCE at checkout to receive a free full-sized mascara with your first purchase. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
August 31 · 32 min
Copycat Killers - Did Scott Peterson Inspire Other Murders?
In this bonus episode of Once Upon a Crime, we ask a disturbing question: did the Scott Peterson case inspire other men to murder their wives? We examine the cases of Lori Hacking, Jennifer Corbin, and Teresa Lane, three women whose murders shared striking similarities with the Peterson case. In some instances, the connection went beyond coincidence. One killer reportedly followed Peterson’s trial closely, while another allegedly referenced Peterson directly before murdering his wife. We also turn the question around: could Scott Peterson himself have been influenced by earlier disappearances and murders that occurred while he was a college student in San Luis Obispo? From staged accidents and disappearances to the dangerous myth of “no body, no crime,” this bonus episode explores how high-profile murder cases can become cautionary tales... or, in the wrong hands, criminal blueprints. Sources: Erased: Missing Women, Murdered Wives, Marilee Strong, Jossey-Bass Publishers, 2008. “Death and the Dentist,” Rob Stafford for NBC News, October 18, 2006 https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna15253153 “Thomas Lane, convicted of wife’s murder, sentenced to death,” Jared Boyd, AL.com, June 7, 2016. https://www.al.com/news/mobile/2016/06/mobile_man_accused_of_killing_3.html Thomas Robert Lane v. State of Alabama, Feb. 5, 2010, accessed on Findlaw.com. https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/al-court-of-criminal-appeals/1507261.html See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#382
August 24 · 1 hr 3 min
Scott Peterson Revisited - Part Two: Esther & Yolanda Reopen the Case
In Part Two of Scott Peterson Revisited, Esther is joined by her sister Yolanda to take a closer look at the claims now being made on behalf of convicted murderer Scott Peterson. In 2024, the Los Angeles Innocence Project announced that it was investigating Peterson’s claims of actual innocence. The following year, his attorneys filed a habeas corpus petition arguing that new evidence and scientific analysis undermined key elements of the prosecution’s case. A judge rejected those claims in April 2026, but the LA Innocence Project has said it plans to appeal. Now Esther and Yolanda reopen the case for themselves. Together, they examine the major arguments being presented as evidence of Peterson’s innocence: the burglary across the street from the Peterson home, witnesses who claimed they saw Laci walking her dog after Scott left that morning, new theories about where Laci and Conner entered San Francisco Bay, evidence suggesting Laci may have known about Scott’s fishing boat, and questions surrounding when Conner died. They also revisit allegations that investigators developed tunnel vision and ignored evidence that didn’t fit their theory of the crime. What actually caused detectives to focus their attention on Scott? Were other leads adequately investigated? And does the so-called “new evidence” meaningfully change the circumstantial case that led a jury to convict him? More than two decades after Laci and Conner Peterson were murdered, Esther and Yolanda separate what’s new from what has been argued before, challenge each other’s assumptions, and ask the question at the heart of Scott Peterson’s latest bid for freedom: Is there truly new evidence of innocence — or simply a new way of presenting an old defense? Content warning This episode discusses the murder of a pregnant woman and the death of an unborn child. Links to our original episodes: This episode revisits research originally presented in Episodes 71 and 72 of Once Upon a Crime in 2017, along with subsequent court rulings and the claims presented by the Los Angeles Innocence Project in Scott Peterson: The New Evidence. https://www.truecrimepodcast.com/s2-ep71-the-12-crimes-of-christmas-laci-peterson-part-1/ https://www.truecrimepodcast.com/s2-ep72-the-12-crimes-of-christmas-laci-peterson-part-2/ Other resources: People Magazine article (with photos of van, “Laci note” with handwriting comparison, etc.) https://people.com/pieces-forensic-evidence-could-lead-scott-peterson-freedom-exclusive-12014816?hid=bc2984855ed727914fef22dff40e20764d844358&did=24648672-20260713&utm_source=ppl&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ppl-true-crime_newsletter&utm_content=071326&lctg=bc2984855ed727914fef22dff40e20764d844358&lr_input=f39d77450fcf063cdc7d94fda7ecdf5efd39306fc49121111e7af41f018cc829&campaign=18955543 For Laci: A Mother’s Story of Love, Loss, and Justice, Sharon Rocha, Crown Publishers, 2006. YouTube: Crime & Justice, “Scott Peterson Case: Lead Detective Dismantles “New Evidence” Claims https://youtu.be/a5qvh_KVvW0?si=hSlZWEh6DcvzcgY_ YouTube: East Idaho News, “Homicide Detective Jon Buehler and legal analyst Beth Karas on the truth about Scott Peterson” https://youtu.be/U8OlJsSdWxM?si=t7mRvJluYIhjv8LB https://www.stanislaus-da.org/pdf/news/2026/press-release-05-12-2026-SPeterson.pdf?fbclid=IwY2xjawTJwBZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR573on0mjwU15IxHrPF2s_dROtgKY4mxWsO_FbqPJzGzGd_qwChWikSZPIFiw_aem_UvmC6ZEk7nqxD9jDoOFt7A Los Angeles Innocence Project Court Filings: Notice of Motion for DNA Testing, Jan 17, 2024 https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ev6pivmu5f34w0f4fsj4c/1405-DNA-Motion.pdf?rlkey=3a2im5v5osa1b6jxjb739b3hj&e=1&dl=0 Notice of Motion for Post-Conviction Discovery, Jan 17, 2024 https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/wa5itop6v4mxgx5bdojqc/1054.9-Discovery-Motion_Redacted.pdf?rlkey=api1iepe8sw96utwe2aiy3j1x&e=1&dl=0 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
August 17 · 37 min
Bonus: Unmasking Scott Peterson
In this bonus episode of Scott Peterson Revisited, we look beyond the evidence to examine the man at the center of the case. Was Scott Peterson capable of murdering his pregnant wife, Laci, and their unborn son, Conner? We explore Scott’s family history, childhood, relationships, repeated infidelities, and carefully cultivated image as the family’s “Golden Boy” and “Mr. Perfect.” We also consider the patterns of deception and compartmentalization that emerged throughout his life and ask whether they offer clues to how he could commit such a devastating crime—and continue to deny responsibility more than two decades later. Unmasking Scott Peterson examines the man behind the carefully constructed image and asks: What happens when maintaining the mask becomes more important than confronting reality? Content warning This episode discusses the murder of a pregnant woman and the death of an unborn child. Sources and further listening Inside the Mind of Scott Peterson, Keigh Ablow, M.D., St. Martin’s Press, 2005. Till Death Do Us Part: Love, Marriage, and the Mind of the Killer Spouse, Dr. Robi Ludwig and Matt Birkbeck, Atria Books, 2006. When the Husband is the Suspect, F. Lee Bailey with Jean Rabe, A Forge Book, 2008. Witness for the Prosecution of Scott Peterson, Amber Frey, Regan Books, 2005. For Laci: A Mother’s Story of Love, Loss, and Justice, Sharon Rocha, Crown Publishers, 2006. Blood Brother: 33 Reasons My Brother Scott Peterson is Guilty, Anne Bird, Regan Books, 2005. “Fun and unpredictable, that was the real Laci,” Diana Walsh for The San Francisco Chronicle, May 30, 2004. “William “Kent” Gains - December 8, 1972 - August 21, 2021, Epilogg.com. Links to our original episodes: This episode revisits research originally presented in Episodes 71 and 72 of Once Upon a Crime in 2017. https://www.truecrimepodcast.com/s2-ep71-the-12-crimes-of-christmas-laci-peterson-part-1/ https://www.truecrimepodcast.com/s2-ep72-the-12-crimes-of-christmas-laci-peterson-part-2/ Sponsors: See a list of our sponsors and discount codes on our website: https://www.truecrimepodcast.com/sponsors/ Links: Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime Our Website - www.truecrimepodcast.com OUAC Merchandise Shop - https://onceuponacrime.dashery.com YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponACrimePodcast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#381
August 10 · 53 min
Scott Peterson Revisited: Part One - Separating Fact from Fiction
Twenty-three years after the murders of Laci Peterson and her unborn son, Conner, the case against Scott Peterson is once again under scrutiny. In January 2024, the Los Angeles Innocence Project announced that it was representing Peterson and investigating his claims of actual innocence. Since then, his attorneys have filed new challenges to his conviction, arguing that previously overlooked evidence and new scientific analysis undermine the prosecution’s case. In July 2026, A&E aired the two-part documentary Scott Peterson: The New Evidence, produced by the Los Angeles Innocence Project, bringing many of these claims back into the national conversation. In Part One of this two-part series, we’ll revisit the case from the beginning and examine the evidence that originally led investigators to focus on Scott Peterson. We review the timeline surrounding Laci’s disappearance on Christmas Eve 2002, Scott’s secret relationship with Amber Frey, the investigation that followed, and the discovery of Laci and Conner’s remains months later near the area where Scott said he had been fishing. We’ll also look at the legal history of the case after Scott’s conviction, including the California Supreme Court’s decision to overturn his death sentence, his resentencing to life without parole, and the more recent efforts by the Los Angeles Innocence Project to reopen the case. Content warning This episode discusses the murder of a pregnant woman and the death of an unborn child. Sources and further listening This episode revisits research originally presented in Episodes 71 and 72 of Once Upon a Crime in 2017, along with subsequent court rulings and the claims presented by the Los Angeles Innocence Project in Scott Peterson: The New Evidence. Links to our original episodes: https://www.truecrimepodcast.com/s2-ep71-the-12-crimes-of-christmas-laci-peterson-part-1/ https://www.truecrimepodcast.com/s2-ep72-the-12-crimes-of-christmas-laci-peterson-part-2/ Coming next In Part 2, Esther and her sister, Yolanda, evaluate the new innocence claims one by one and discuss whether any of them materially change the evidence against Scott Peterson. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
August 3 · 12 min
Scott Peterson: The Case, the Claims, and the Controversy
More than twenty years after Laci Peterson's murder captivated the nation, one of America's most infamous true crime cases is back in the spotlight. In this upcoming special two-part series, Once Upon a Crime host Esther Ludlow revisits the case with fan-favorite co-host Yolanda, taking a fresh look at the investigation, the evidence, and the questions that continue to divide the public. Originally covered by the podcast in 2016, this updated series examines what's changed, and why so many people are debating Scott Peterson's guilt once again. The disappearance of eight-months-pregnant Laci Peterson on Christmas Eve 2002 sparked a media frenzy unlike anything seen before. As investigators uncovered Scott Peterson's affair with Amber Frey and his shocking lies about his marriage, public opinion quickly turned. Months later, the bodies of Laci and her unborn son, Conner, were discovered along the shores of the San Francisco Bay, leading to Scott's arrest, conviction, and death sentence. But the story didn't end there. With new legal challenges from Scott Peterson's defense team, renewed attention from the Los Angeles Innocence Project, and recent documentaries reigniting debate, the case has become the subject of fresh scrutiny. Could key evidence have been misunderstood? Were important leads overlooked? Or does the original investigation still point to the same conclusion? Subscribe to Once Upon A Crime so you don't miss this upcoming series. Next episode drops Monday August 10, 2026 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#380
July 20 · 44 min
Before Bali: The Untold Story of Sheila von Wiese-Mack
In this episode of Once Upon a Crime, we revisits the murder of Sheila von Wiese Mack through the new book When Lambs Become Wolves by retired Sergeant Rasul T. Freelain, who knew Sheila and her daughter Heather years before the Bali killing. Freelain recounts how a 2010 theft report led to repeated police contact, revealing escalating child-to-parent violence: Heather’s manipulation, financial fraud, and assaults that included breaking Sheila’s arm and later a brutal attack. Despite diversion programs, mentoring, probation, and numerous calls for service, Sheila often refused to press charges, focused on saving her family, and ultimately told Freelain, “She’s going to kill me.” When Lambs Become Wolves. https://www.amazon.com/dp/0809339943?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback Resorting to Murder: The Body in the Suitcase: https://art19.com/shows/once-upon-a-crime/episodes/eef34649-e83a-47cb-a960-5403629b2295 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#379
July 13 · 35 min
The House on New York Street: The Sylvia Likens Case, Part Two
Part 2 of the Sylvia Likens case examines the heartbreaking final hours of Sylvia Likens, one of the most horrific child abuse and murder cases in American history. On October 26, 1965, after months of unimaginable torture inside a home in Indianapolis, Indiana, 16-year-old Sylvia was carried upstairs for a bath before she was discovered unresponsive. As Gertrude Baniszewski scrambled to cover up the abuse with a fabricated confession letter, investigators immediately recognized the devastating evidence of prolonged torture. Including severe burns, starvation, countless injuries, a fatal subdural hematoma, and the chilling message carved into Sylvia's abdomen. The investigation took a dramatic turn when Sylvia's younger sister, Jenny, courageously told police, "Get me out of here, and I'll tell you everything." Her testimony unraveled Gertrude Baniszewski's lies and led to the arrests of Gertrude, several of her children, and neighborhood teenagers who participated in or witnessed the abuse. Sources: https://www.indianapolismonthly.com/longform/likens-looking-back-indianas-infamous-crime-50-years-later https://www.indystar.com/story/news/history/retroindy/2013/10/24/sylvia-likens/3178393/ House of Evil: The Indiana Torture Slaying - John Dean Torture Mom: A Chilling True Story of Confinement, Mutilation, and Murder - Ryan Green, 2018. The House from Hell: The True Story of Gertrude Baniszewski, Genoveva Ortiz, Sea Vision Publishing, 2024. https://www.history101.com/sylvia-likens-the-family-she-left-behind/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Sylvia_Likens#Gertrude_Baniszewski https://murderpedia.org/female.B/b/baniszewski.htm https://www.history101.com/sylvia-likens-the-family-she-left-behind/ https://www.theindianalawyer.com/articles/35446-lawyers-book-retraces-indys-infamous-sylvia-likens-murder-case Sponsors: See a list of our sponsors and discount codes on our website: https://www.truecrimepodcast.com/sponsors/ Links: Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime Our Website - www.truecrimepodcast.com OUAC Merchandise Shop - https://onceuponacrime.dashery.com YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponACrimePodcast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
July 11 · 1 min
TRAILER: The House on New York Street, Part 2
Police arrived at the New York Street house and quickly realized the story didn’t add up. Within hours, Gertrude Baniszewski, her children, and neighborhood teens were arrested in the torture of 16-year-old Sylvia Likens. In court, everyone pointed fingers—mother against children, children against mother. Leaving one question: who was lying? Subscribe and listen to Once Upon a Crime for part two. Episode drops Monday July 13, 2026. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#378
July 6 · 57 min
The House on New York Street - The Sylvia Likens Case, Part One
Some crimes are so shocking that they force us to ask a question that seems impossible to answer. Not 'Who did it?' We know who did it. Not even 'Why?' Though we'll spend this series trying to understand that. The question is this: How did an entire neighborhood watch a teenage girl disappear in plain sight? Over three months in the fall of 1965, dozens of people entered a small house on East New York Street in Indianapolis. Children played there. Teenagers gathered there. Neighbors stopped by. A minister visited. Police responded to the home. A public health nurse knocked on the door. Yet sixteen-year-old Sylvia Likens remained trapped inside…starved and tortured. By the time anyone finally listened, it was too late. Sources: https://www.indianapolismonthly.com/longform/likens-looking-back-indianas-infamous-crime-50-years-later https://www.indystar.com/story/news/history/retroindy/2013/10/24/sylvia-likens/3178393/ House of Evil: The Indiana Torture Slaying - John Dean Torture Mom: A Chilling True Story of Confinement, Mutilation, and Murder - Ryan Green, 2018. The House from Hell: The True Story of Gertrude Baniszewski, Genoveva Ortiz, Sea Vision Publishing, 2024. https://www.history101.com/sylvia-likens-the-family-she-left-behind/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Sylvia_Likens#Gertrude_Baniszewski https://murderpedia.org/female.B/b/baniszewski.htm https://www.history101.com/sylvia-likens-the-family-she-left-behind/ https://www.theindianalawyer.com/articles/35446-lawyers-book-retraces-indys-infamous-sylvia-likens-murder-case Sponsors: See a list of our sponsors and discount codes on our website: https://www.truecrimepodcast.com/sponsors/ Links: Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime Our Website - www.truecrimepodcast.com OUAC Merchandise Shop - https://onceuponacrime.dashery.com YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponACrimePodcast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
July 5 · 1 min
TRAILER: The House on New York Street: The Sylvia Likens Case
How does an ordinary home become the scene of extraordinary evil, and how does a community fail to save a sixteen-year-old girl? This week on Once Upon a Crime, we begin a two-part series on the murder of Sylvia Likens, examining the heartbreaking facts of the case and the psychological forces that turned one Indianapolis home into an innocent girl’s torture chamber, drawing seemingly ordinary children into unimaginable cruelty. Follow Once Upon a Crime, new episodes drop every Monday See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
July 3 · 1 min
The Tragedy of Sylvia Likens: A Two-Part Series Preview
In the summer of 1965, 16-year-old Sylvia Likens was left in the care of a mother of seven while her parents traveled for work. What should have been a temporary arrangement turned into one of the most horrifying child abuse and torture cases in American history. As the abuse escalated behind closed doors, an entire neighborhood witnessed signs of cruelty, manipulation, and neglect. Yet Sylvia’s suffering continued in plain sight. Next week, Once Upon a Crime takes a deep dive into one of the most infamous true crime cases of the 20th century. A story of abuse, torture, manipulation, and the tragic death of Sylvia Likens that continues to haunt America decades later. Subscribe to Once Upon A Crime so you don't miss this gripping two-part series. New episodes drop every Monday See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
June 29 · 1 min
Marie Hilley: The Poisoner Who Fooled Everyone
A black widow. A poisoner. A con artist. A master manipulator. This week on Once Upon a Crime, Esther dives into the unbelievable case of Marie Hilley. A woman accused of murdering her husband, nearly killing her own daughter, disappearing while out on bail, and creating entirely new identities to stay one step ahead of the truth. As investigators closed in, Marie spun outrageous stories and convinced friends, family, and complete strangers to believe them. The deeper this case goes, the stranger it gets. One of the most bizarre and fascinating true crime stories Esther has ever researched is now live wherever you get your podcasts. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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June 29 · 51 min
Marie Hilley: The Woman Who Became Her Own Twin
She poisoned her husband. She nearly killed her own daughter. She vanished while out on bail. Then she reinvented herself with a brand-new identity… and somehow convinced people she was her own twin sister. This week on Once Upon a Crime, we unravel the unbelievable case of Marie Hilley. One of the most notorious Black Widows in American true crime history. What began as the life of a seemingly ordinary wife and mother spiraled into a shocking saga of poisoning, manipulation, fraud, and deception that stretched across multiple states and identities. As investigators closed in, Marie stayed one step ahead by crafting elaborate lies, faking illnesses, and ultimately attempting one of the strangest identity swaps ever seen in a criminal case. From arsenic poisoning to forged documents and a fugitive run worthy of a movie script, this case is as bizarre as it is disturbing. If you think you’ve heard every wild true crime story, think again. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
June 28 · 1 min
Marie Hilley: Black Widow and Master Manipulator
She could become whoever people needed her to be. A devoted wife. A loving mother. A trusted friend. A helpless victim. But behind the carefully crafted image was one of the most manipulative and deceptive women in true crime history. In this chilling new episode of Once Upon a Crime, Esther dives into the shocking case of Marie Hilley. A woman whose lies, manipulation, and alleged poisoning crimes left devastation everywhere she went. When Marie’s husband died unexpectedly, no one suspected murder. Later, as her daughter became gravely ill, doctors struggled to explain the mysterious symptoms consuming her body. From poisoning and fraud to psychological manipulation and identity deception, the story of Marie Hilley is stranger than fiction and packed with twists that seem impossible to believe. “Marie Hilley: Black Widow and Master Manipulator” drops Monday, June 29 wherever you get your podcasts. Get episodes early and ad-free by joining Patreon at patreon.com/onceuponacrime. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
June 27 · 1 min
Marie Hilley: The Woman Who Became Her Own Twin
What happens when a killer reinvents herself so completely that even the people closest to her believe the lie? In this shocking new episode of Once Upon a Crime, Esther explores the bizarre and twisted case of Marie Hilley. A woman accused of poisoning her husband to death, later poisoning her own daughter, escaping justice, and creating an entirely new identity to avoid capture. But Marie’s deception didn’t stop there.... The deeper this case goes, the stranger it becomes. From poisoning and fraud to identity theft and psychological manipulation, “Marie Hilley: The Woman Who Became Her Own Twin” is one of the most unbelievable true crime stories you’ve probably never heard. The episode drops Monday, June 29, wherever you get your podcasts. Want early access and ad-free episodes? Join Patreon at patreon.com/onceuponacrime. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
June 22 · 8 min
Once Upon a Crime – Season 11 Announcement
After the explosive Bundy For the Defense series, Once Upon a Crime took its first extended hiatus in the podcast’s ten-year history. But behind the scenes, the team has been busier than ever. What’s been happening during the break? Appearances at the Beyond the Crime Convention in Albuquerque and Crime Con in Las Vegas, being featured on Impact x Nightline’s “Terror on the Trail” exploring the Trailside Killer case, as well as interviews for two upcoming History Channel episodes. As Once Upon a Crime celebrates its tenth anniversary on June 9th, the podcast is entering an entirely new era. Season 11 will feature more immersive storytelling across both the podcast and YouTube, updates on fan-favorite true crime cases, listener Q&As, expert guests, deep dives, and a brand-new long-form serial killer investigation. For the first time ever, Esther will also share their own personal story and reveal the experience that shaped her fascination with true crime, justice, and criminal psychology. After ten years, Once Upon a Crime is evolving into something bigger, more personal, and more immersive than ever before. Subscribe now so you don’t miss the start of Season 11. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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