Vanessa Richardson
Appearances
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
we have an exciting update. Mind of a Serial Killer is now Killer Minds, expanding beyond serial killers to cover cult leaders, crimes of passion, spree killers, and more.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
Well, it seems like Charles dealt with the disappointment by refocusing on his Helter Skelter prophecy. As the summer of 1969 began, the 34-year-old pushed his family even harder to prepare for the upcoming apocalypse. Their creepy crawling expeditions turned to outright thievery, and his LSD-fueled sermons focused primarily on death.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
Before long, Charles started asking his followers if they'd die for him. They assured him they would. But as the days crept by with no sign of a society-ending race war, the family started to get antsy. Charles knew he had to do something. If the apocalypse didn't happen, then his followers might lose their faith in him.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
That's when Charles realized, if the apocalypse wasn't going to happen on its own, maybe he needed to start it himself.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
As the summer of 1969 began, 34-year-old Charles Manson decided he wanted to kickstart the helter-skelter apocalypse himself. Inspired by a track from the Beatles' White Album, he was certain that an impending race war would drive the world into chaos. But so far, it had failed to materialize, and Charles was going to do something about it.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
And sometimes the mind drives us to do something truly unspeakable. This is Killer Minds, formerly known as Mind of a Serial Killer, a Crime House original. Every Monday and Thursday, we'll be taking deep dives into the minds of history's most notorious serial killers and murderers. The show is still the same, the name just changed.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
Could this desire of his to fulfill a prophecy like that himself be an indication that he never really believed in it in the first place?
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
He'd promised his followers that they'd escape to an underground city of gold in the middle of Death Valley. But if they were going to survive in the desert long enough to find the city, they needed money, and their drug-dealing operation wasn't cutting it. To get the funds they needed, they'd have to steal it.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
After cycling through a few options, Charles landed on Gary Hinman, a music teacher and drug dealer he'd met when the family first moved to LA. Charles believed Gary was flush with cash. He had a couple of cars, and Charles knew he had a big vacation to Japan coming up. Plus, one of Charles' best friends, a guy named Bobby Beausoleil, had it out for Gary.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
He apparently sold Bobby a bad batch of a hallucinogen called mescaline, and Bobby was happy to help Charles shake Gary down. On the night of July 25th, 1969, Bobby and three of Charles' most loyal followers went over to Gary's house.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
The group included Charles' first recruit, Mary Brunner, the first male family member, Bruce Davis, and Susan Atkins, who joined the family in that first summer in the Bay Area. When they showed up at Gary's door, he didn't suspect a thing. He invited them right in. But Bobby didn't waste any time. He demanded Gary pay him back for the bad drugs.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
Gary swore he didn't have any money to give them, and that made Bobby angry. But even after he beat Gary to a pulp, he swore he didn't have the kind of money they were after. When Charles found out, he told the group to keep working on Gary until he gave everything up. For almost three days, Bobby Beausoleil beat Gary within an inch of his life. Eventually, Charles told Bobby to kill him.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
And if you're interested in more true crime stories from This Week in History, check out CrimeHouse The Show. Every episode covers multiple cases, unified by the same theme, so every week you get something a little different. At Crime House, we want to express our gratitude to you, our community, for making this possible.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
However Charles felt at that moment, by killing Gary, he realized they had an opportunity to get more than money out of the situation. It was the perfect moment to begin helter-skelter. Remember, Charles was convinced the apocalypse would start with a massive race war. After Gary Hinman was dead, he had Bobby draw a paw print on the wall with Gary's blood, along with the words, Political Piggy.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
It was the symbol of the Black Panthers. Charles hoped it would seem like the Black Panthers viciously murdered an innocent white man, and then the uprising would start. Gary's body was discovered three days later on July 31st. But the race war didn't materialize. Charles' plan was falling apart. A few days later, Bobby was pulled over while driving Gary Hinman's stolen car.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
The police searched it and found a bloody knife in the wheel well. And Bobby matched a fingerprint they'd pulled from the crime scene. He tried to make some excuses, but the cops weren't buying it. Bobby was arrested and charged with murder. When Charles found out, he knew time was of the essence.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
Bobby wasn't a patient guy, and if Charles couldn't get him out of trouble, there was a good chance he would talk. To get the heat off of Bobby, Charles decided they would do some copycat killings to make it seem like the real killer was still out there. And Charles had the perfect target in mind. Terry Melcher's old house on Cielo Drive.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
Now, there's some disagreement over why Charles chose Cielo Drive as the target. Some people think it was a way to get back at Terry Melcher for refusing to give him a record deal. But others have pointed out that Charles likely knew Terry wasn't living there by that point. So maybe he chose it just because it was a house he knew.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
It was secure, hidden behind a gate, so there was little chance of getting caught in the act or anyone escaping. Either way, whoever was in that house would have a lot of money for them to take to Death Valley. For Charles, that was as good of a reason as any. On August 9, 1969, Charles put a follower named Tex Watson in charge of the operation.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
He was joined by Susan Atkins, who'd been a part of the Gary Hinman murder, along with Patricia Krenwinkel and Linda Kasabian. All were fiercely loyal to Charles, and willing to kill in his name.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
Please support us by rating, reviewing, and following Killer Minds wherever you get your podcasts. Your feedback truly matters. And to enhance your Killer Minds listening experience, subscribe to Crime House Plus on Apple Podcasts.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
The details from the murders at Cielo Drive are well-documented, so there's no need to go over all the grisly details here. For those who are interested in more specifics, check out The Life and Times of Charles Manson by Jeff Gwynn. But just like the Gary Hinman murder, the crimes at Cielo Drive were violent and bloody, and by the end of it, five innocent people were dead.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
Jay Sebring, Wojciech Frykowski, Abigail Folger, Stephen Parent, and most famously, the house's current resident, actress Sharon Tate, who was pregnant. Even though Charles didn't get any money out of it, he did get something else he wanted. Publicity. After the bodies were discovered the next morning, it was all over the news. The sheer violence of it was staggering.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
And there was the celebrity aspect. Along with being a famous actress, Sharon Tate was married to the director, Roman Polanski. But there was one thing missing. Even though they left the Black Panther symbol, nobody picked up on the attempt to link the murders to the Black Panthers, which meant Bobby Beausoleil would stay in jail and the race war wouldn't start.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
You'll get every episode ad-free, and instead of having to wait for each episode of a two-part series, you'll get access to both at once, plus exciting Crime House bonus content. I'm Vanessa Richardson.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
Charles decided they needed to try again, immediately. He sent the group out again the following night, and this time, Charles went with them. In order to trigger his race war, Charles wanted to keep going after wealthy white people, so he decided to head to the upper-middle class neighborhood of Los Feliz. Charles had partied at a house there a few times, so that's where the group went.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
When they got there, Charles noticed the place next door. It was pretty nice, and Charles spotted an older man sleeping inside on his couch. His name was Lino LaBianca. Charles had his followers break in. Then they killed Lino and his wife, Rosemary, in the same violent fashion as their other victims.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
After the bodies were discovered, the murders were linked to the victims at Cielo Drive, but the attempted connection to the Black Panthers went unnoticed once again. There was no denying it. Charles' plan was a failure, and eight innocent people had paid for it with their lives. But Charles didn't spin it that way to the family. He used all the press coverage as proof that it was a success.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
The true apocalypse might not happen immediately, but the process had begun. That meant it was time to get out of town. The family packed their things, and in early September, he and over two dozen followers drove north to Barker Ranch out in Death Valley. To keep the Helter Skelter story alive, Charles sent his followers out into the desert.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
Their job was to go on foot to look for the entrance to the underground city of gold. For the time being, the family was still devoted to Charles, though it was split between true believers and those who were just too tired from searching the desert to question him.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
Does it seem like Charles' followers felt like they had no other choice? Or was there some glimmer of hope that his prophecy could still be true?
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
This is the second of two episodes on Charles Manson. Some call him a cult leader, some call him a serial killer. Some wonder if he can even be considered a killer at all, because even though he went to prison for murder, Charles didn't deliver the fatal blow to any of his victims. His followers were his weapon of choice.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
Well, naturally, the City of Gold was nowhere to be found. And surviving in the middle of the desert was a lot harder than scrounging for food around the city. Many of his followers remained fiercely loyal, but Charles finally started to lose his grip on some of them. People started slipping away in the middle of the night, risking the difficult walk into the nearest town in order to escape.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
And even though the desert was isolated, it wasn't empty. Locals took notice of the strange things going on at the family's new ranch. Eventually, the police started poking around and realized that Charles and his followers were driving stolen cars. On October 10th, 1969, the authorities raided the Manson family's ranch and took most of them into custody. Charles wasn't home at the time.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
He was down in LA trying to round up some food. But when he came back to Death Valley a couple days later, he was arrested too. Charles had gotten out of scrapes with the law before, but there was no talking his way out of this one. Some of the defectors were eager to tell the police about the murders, and that Charles had ordered them to do it.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
After some questioning, the police realized the leather cord Charles used as a belt had belonged to Lino LaBianca. The pieces fell into place from there. On December 9th, 1969, he was charged with murder in what was being referred to as the Tate and LaBianca killings. All four of the family members involved in the crimes were charged as well. Charles finally had what he'd always wanted. Fame.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
New episodes drop every Monday and Thursday right here. No need to do anything, just stay tuned. Now enjoy the episode.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
Stories about him were plastered over every newspaper. Any time he entered a courtroom, hordes of onlookers were there to see him. The more people learned about Charles, the more fascinated they became. It just seemed inconceivable that such a diminutive, unassuming guy could be capable of such atrocities. Not only that, he somehow got other people to do them for him.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
The question was, who would be punished for it? In December 1969, Charles Manson and his followers were charged with murder. The trial began a little over six months later in June 1970. The whole thing was a huge spectacle, not just for the murders, but for the people accused of committing them. People couldn't understand what made Charles so special that his followers would kill for him.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
Last time, we went through Charles' early life and the road that led him to form the notorious Manson family cult. Today, we'll follow Charles' obsession with fame, his descent into madness, and the tragic murders that still haunt society today. And as always, we'll be asking the question, what makes a killer?
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
It seemed like everyone was paying attention to the Manson trial. The trial was so captivating, it even caught the attention of President Richard Nixon. He was so invested, he made comments about it during a speech on August 3, 1970.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
Oh yeah, no doubt. It certainly seemed like everyone wanted to weigh in on the Manson trial. which was why the judge had the jury sequestered, so they wouldn't be influenced by any more media coverage or presidential speeches. There was a lot to consider, especially given the nature of the charges against Charles.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
Along with conspiracy to commit murder, he was charged with the murders themselves, which was hard to prove when he didn't lay a hand on any of the victims. And his followers were definitely willing to take the fall for him. In fact, three of them weren't allowed to testify for that very reason. Their lawyers likely didn't want them to take all the blame while Charles got away scot-free.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
In the end, the jury didn't either. When they reached their verdict on January 25th, 1971, Charles was found guilty, along with the three followers who'd committed the murders on his behalf. But Charles wasn't ready to give up, not by a long shot. There was still a lot at stake. The trial was now in the penalty phase, which meant guilt and innocence were no longer in question.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
It was time to determine punishment. And the defendants were facing the death penalty. Charles and his followers were all free to plead their cases for a lesser sentence. It was a pivotal moment, the last chance for the Manson family to turn on their leader. If they argued that he'd brainwashed them or made them do it, they might be able to save their lives.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
Instead, they did exactly what Charles wanted, and chose to sacrifice themselves. And it wasn't just Charles' co-defendants speaking up for him, either. At least eight members of the Manson family who weren't involved in the murders came to his defense. They all claimed he had nothing to do with the murders.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
By the time Charles Manson was 32, he'd spent half his life in a correctional facility, from abusive reform schools to federal prisons. He used that time to become an expert manipulator, using psychological techniques, religion, and his natural charisma to bend people to his will.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
And in the end, their devotion didn't really matter. The jury had already determined that Charles was guilty, and nothing they heard from Charles' followers changed their minds. When they were sent to deliberate on March 26, 1971, it only took them a few hours to come to a decision. All the defendants were sentenced to death. Even with Charles behind bars, the world didn't forget about him.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
He received hundreds of letters a day. They contained all sorts of messages. Admiration and love, but also death threats. For someone on death row, that wasn't exactly something to worry about. But about a year later, on February 18, 1972, the state of California abolished the death penalty, and Charles' situation suddenly changed.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
He and his followers' sentences were all reduced to life in prison. Not only that, under California law, he would be granted a parole hearing in seven years, which meant he had a chance of becoming a free man again, if he could survive that long. Charles' fellow inmates didn't like how much attention he got.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
He was moved around different facilities for his own safety, eventually ending up at the notorious San Quentin Prison, north of San Francisco. He spent a lot of time in isolation, away from the general population. But just because Charles was out of sight didn't mean he was out of mind.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
In 1974, the lead prosecutor on his case, Vincent Bugliosi, published a book about Charles called Helter Skelter. It was a massive hit, and so was the TV miniseries it inspired. All of a sudden, Charles wasn't just a notorious criminal. He was a bona fide celebrity. Just what he wants.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
After being released from prison in March 1967, Charles headed for the San Francisco Bay Area, where he started building the cult known as the Manson family. Surrounded by the love and devotion of his followers, he was showered with the attention he'd always wanted. But that wasn't enough for Charles.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
Whatever it was that made people so interested in Charles, he was firmly in the zeitgeist, and has remained there ever since. And he also spent the rest of his life in prison. He knew just as well as anyone that there was no chance he'd be released on parole. It's been a half century since the Manson family murders,
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
Even though Charles has been dead since 2017, he continues to have a powerful grip on our imaginations. From TV shows like Mindhunter, or movies like Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, people can't help but be fascinated by him, or try to understand the crimes he committed. But that's easier said than done. The Manson murders were violent, random, and indescribably tragic.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
Innocent people lost their lives because of his so-called prophecy, which was nothing more than the ravings of a madman. A couple months after Charles' trial ended in the 1970s, John Lennon was asked for his thoughts on the Manson murders, especially since they were inspired by his song Helter Skelter. Lennon was baffled by the whole thing,
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
He didn't understand why Charles thought the song predicted some kind of apocalyptic race war. In fact, he didn't understand how Charles got anything from it at all. According to Lennon, the lyrics of Helter Skelter were totally meaningless. And in the end, maybe Charles Manson was too. Thanks so much for listening. Come back next time for a deep dive into the mind of another murderer.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
He had big dreams of becoming a famous musician, and that wasn't going to happen in the Bay, so in November 1967, he and a handful of followers bought an old bus and drove it down to LA.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
And to enhance your listening experience, subscribe to Crime House Plus on Apple Podcasts. You'll get every episode of Killer Minds ad-free, along with early access to each thrilling two-part series and exciting bonus content. Killer Minds is hosted by me, Vanessa Richardson, and Dr. Tristan Engels, and is a Crime House original powered by PAVE Studios.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
This episode was brought to life by the Killer Minds team. Max Cutler, Ron Shapiro, Alex Benidon, Lori Marinelli, Natalie Pertsovsky, Sarah Camp, and Sheila Patterson. Of the many sources we used when researching this episode, the one we found the most credible and helpful was The Life and Times of Charles Manson by Jeff Gwynn. Thank you for listening.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
Well, unfortunately for Charles, no amount of self-belief could make up for his lack of musical talent. Even with the backing of his friend, Beach Boys drummer Dennis Wilson, nobody was willing to give Charles a record deal, including an influential producer named Terry Melcher. His move to L.A. wasn't a total bust, though.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
Within a year of getting to L.A., the family had grown to about three dozen people. To keep the group together, Charles moved them to an old Western movie set outside the city called Spahn Ranch in the fall of 1968. The days were filled with ranch working in the morning, LSD trips in the afternoon, and group sex at night. But it wasn't all fun and games.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
Charles used these activities to remind everyone that he was their undisputed leader, selecting work assignments, overseeing the drug trips, and choosing who slept with who. But throughout it all, he continued to preach the same New Age philosophy that he'd developed in San Francisco. And as winter approached, Charles added something new into the mix.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
Loyalty is a powerful thing. The willingness to stick by someone's side through thick and thin creates a deep sense of trust. You know someone will be there for you, no matter what comes your way. It's an unbreakable bond. And in the case of Charles Manson, he used that bond to deadly effect. Charles' followers were so loyal, they obeyed his every order without question.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
He'd recently become obsessed with The Beatles' latest record, known as The White Album. He was fixated on one track in particular, Helter Skelter. Charles was convinced the song foretold an apocalyptic revolution triggered by a massive race war. Of course, he had a plan to keep his family safe from the violence.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
They would move to Death Valley, a stretch of unforgiving terrain in California's Mojave Desert. There, he believed they'd find shelter in an underground city of gold, outside of time and space. And by early 1969, there were signs that his prophecy would actually come true. Violent protests erupted in LA and all around the country, fueled by racial tensions and the Vietnam War.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
Charles told the family that the apocalypse would be upon them by the summer.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
Dr. Engels, how much of this can be chalked up to the massive amounts of drugs they were taking? Can LSD affect our psychology so much that it leaves us susceptible to delusions like this?
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
Whether or not Charles actually believed any of this, he was certainly acting like it. To prepare for Helter Skelter, he taught the family how to fight with knives. He also took them out on what he called creepy crawling expeditions, where they practiced breaking into people's homes without getting caught. He even found a place for them to stay in Death Valley for when the apocalypse started.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
It was an isolated property in the middle of the Mojave Desert known as Barker Ranch. The place was completely off the grid. Charles sold it to his followers as the ultimate spot to ride out the apocalypse while they found the fabled underground city.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
Conveniently, it would also make them completely reliant on him with nowhere else to go, especially if they started to have second thoughts about their plan. Or maybe it's not so convenient. But Charles seemed to be all in. Down in LA, he got a cheap dune buggy and told his followers to get it ready for more rugged terrain.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
He made them gather extra supplies and even taught them desert survival techniques. However, all of this cost money. Money Charles and the Manson family didn't have. Most of the time, they got by with panhandling around L.A. and scavenging around grocery stores. But if Charles' plan was going to work, they needed a lot more. So he turned to a more reliable income stream. Drug dealing.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
To do this, Charles connected with a biker gang called the Straight Satans. They were happy to help him get the drugs he wanted, as long as they could come to the ranch and enjoy them. Before long, the Straight Satans were a constant presence at Spahn Ranch, and so were their drugs. But the bikers used substances more potent than marijuana and LSD.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
They especially liked amphetamines, and they gladly shared them with the family. Charles didn't seem happy about it. These new drugs made his followers moody and tense, harder to control. But with Helter Skelter on its way, he was willing to put up with it.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
They left their families, took all kinds of drugs, had sex with whoever he said, and of course, committed murder. But that wasn't all Charles asked of them. In the end, he wanted them to take the blame for what he asked them to do, even if it meant losing their own lives. The human mind is fascinating. It controls how we think, how we feel, how we love, and how we hate.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
However Charles felt about what was going on at Spahn Ranch, it's possible he was starting to doubt his prophecy, because even with an apocalyptic race war to worry about, he was still trying to get himself a record deal. Charles had stayed in touch with Terry Melcher, the producer who was friends with the Beach Boys drummer Dennis Wilson.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
Terry came by Spahn Ranch sometimes, mostly to fool around with some of the women. Charles was all too happy to oblige him, as long as Terry gave his music another chance. And in March of 1969, Terry finally agreed to come over and listen to some of his songs. Charles was certain this would be his big break. But the day of Terry's visit to Spahn Ranch arrived, and he never showed up.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
Charles was furious. This was supposed to be his moment, and Terry had blown him off. On March 23rd, he headed to Terry's house to give him a piece of his mind. The house was atop Cielo Drive, a winding road in LA's Benedict Canyon. But when Charles got there, Terry wasn't home, because he'd moved out months earlier.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
Eventually, Charles did get a hold of Terry, and the producer promised to come back out to Spahn Ranch on May 18th. This time, he showed up, but it was clear he wasn't interested in signing Charles to a deal, and nobody else was either. There would be no music career for Charles. His dream was officially dead.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt. 2
So when dealing with self-centered people or narcissists, are they ever capable of learning from a reality check like this? Or do they tend to double down and only get worse?
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
Well, Oscar definitely stood his ground. He hired a lawyer and appealed the decision in the court of arbitration for sport, and he won. Later that summer in 2008, Oscar took the competition back to the track, specifically the Beijing Paralympics in China, There, he broke a world record for his class, completing the 400-meter race in 47.49 seconds.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
He also won gold in the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes. And after this series of wins, Oscar felt unstoppable. He wanted to be challenged even further. The words of his late mother, Sheila, rang through his head, quote, "'The real loser is never the person who crosses the finish line last. The real loser is the person who sits on the side, the person who doesn't even try to compete.'"
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
Which is why Oscar decided it was time to start training for the regular Olympics. And in 2012, he finally earned a spot on the South African team. That summer, he'd be heading to the London Games as the first ever double amputee runner to compete. But that wasn't the only monumental thing coming Oscar's way.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
When the first Olympic Games were held in 776 BCE, they were intended for the most vigorous athletes in Greece. Participants were hailed as heroes, living gods. But in 2012, one man changed the definition of what it meant to be an Olympic athlete. His name was Oscar Pistorius.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
That year, he'd also meet someone very important, someone most people thought he'd spend forever with. But in this case, forever would only last a couple of months before Oscar's entire world came to a screeching halt. On August 4th, 2012, Oscar Pistorius took to the starting blocks of the London Olympic Games.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
His first event was a preliminary heat in the 400-meter race against five other athletes. As the pistol was fired, the Blade Runner took off with the rigor and stamina he was known for. The crowds in London cheered Oscar's name so loud you would have thought he was competing for the home team. And he made many of those onlookers, including his nation of South Africa, proud.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
That day, he finished second, advancing to the semifinals. But the following afternoon, Oscar wasn't on top of his game. He came in last, missing out on a spot in the finals. Even though Oscar didn't win a medal, he arguably won something more valuable at those London games — the admiration of millions of people. Overnight, Oscar became a global icon.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
He was flooded with requests for interviews and television appearances. Brands like Nike and Oakley signed him to be the face of their new campaigns. Now, Oscar Pistorius was enjoying a $2 million a year payday. That, partnered with Oscar's good looks and sculpted physique, suddenly made him one of the most desirable bachelors on the planet. And Oscar knew it.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
Every episode covers multiple cases, unified by the same theme, so every week you get something a little different. At Crime House, we want to express our gratitude to you, our community, for making this possible. Please support us by rating, reviewing, and following Killer Minds wherever you get your podcasts. Your feedback truly matters.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
Regardless of the repercussions, Oscar was basking in the limelight. Fancy parties, award shows, and galas now filled his social calendar. And when it came to dating, Oscar had his pick of the litter. Actresses, models, singers, you name it. However, there was one woman that really caught Oscar's attention. 29-year-old reality TV star and model Reva Steenkamp.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
Oscar met Riva at a car show in November of 2012, shortly after returning from the London Olympics. They both had mutual friends who thought they'd be a good match. They got to talking, and Oscar asked Riva to be his date to an awards ceremony later that evening. From that day on, they were inseparable. Like Oscar, Riva Steenkamp was born and raised in South Africa.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
Growing up, she had dreams of becoming a lawyer and set her sights on making that a reality. Around the age of 15, though, Riva was scouted by an agent who told her she had a lot of potential for a successful modeling career. Riva took it as a golden opportunity. Now she could make money modeling and put herself through law school. Riva did just that.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
After graduating from high school, she began her studies in law at Nelson Mandela University. She even knew what her focus would be, advocacy for women who were suffering from domestic violence and abuse, an issue that was rampant in South Africa. Between 2011 and 2012, the country had the highest occurrence of sexual assaults worldwide, according to the U.S. State Department.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
And to enhance your Killer Minds listening experience, subscribe to Crime House Plus on Apple Podcasts. You'll get every episode ad-free, and instead of having to wait for each episode of a two-part series, you'll get access to both at once, plus exciting Crime House bonus content. I'm Vanessa Richardson.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
This issue was also personal to Riva. She herself had reportedly struggled with an abusive partnership during her college years. But while in her last year of law school, a bad accident temporarily altered the course of Riva's life. She was thrown from a horse and crushed two of her vertebrae. For six weeks, Riva was hospitalized, uncertain whether she would ever be able to walk again.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
While Reva eventually made a full recovery, it changed her perspective on life. It taught her that life was worth fighting for, but it was also too short not to do what truly makes you happy. So while Reva still graduated from law school at the top of her class, she also realized she wanted to make modeling a priority, at least for the time being.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
This accident was almost certainly something Reva and Oscar bonded over. you
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
Even before meeting Oscar, Reva knew her good looks wouldn't carry her over the finish line. She needed something to fall back on, something that wasn't reality TV appearances and KFC commercials, but instead skills she could enact later in life.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
So by the time she and Oscar were introduced in November 2012, she was reportedly planning to take the bar, get back into law, and use the platform she'd built as a way to get back into advocacy. And seemingly, Oscar was supportive of that. In fact, going into January of 2013, the couple appeared pretty happy together.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
They'd only been dating a few months, but it looked like they were planning for a future with one another. On January 26th, they were spotted out together at a party, both dressed in white, dancing the night away. Friends who were there with them said they looked madly in love. Many of them thought they were headed towards marriage.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
Just a few days later, the couple had dinner with some of their closest friends, TV personality Jen Su and her husband, Del Levin. And they also said, based on intimate conversations they had with the couple, that things were going extremely well.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
And while Reva wasn't living with Oscar yet, they were spending plenty of nights together at his new house in Pretoria, about 45 minutes outside of Johannesburg. The problem was, according to Jen and Del, Oscar kept saying that he really didn't feel safe there. It may have started back in 2005, when Oscar's last home in Pretoria was broken into.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
Or it could have started even earlier than that, perhaps dating back to childhood. As long as Oscar could remember, he was always told to look over his shoulder, especially being from a middle-class family in Johannesburg, where most of the population made less than $65 a month in the 90s.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
And in a nation where the violent crime rate was one of the highest in the world, well, Oscar's worries weren't completely unmerited. It wasn't unheard of for families in Johannesburg to own guns to protect themselves. And that's what Oscar's father, Hank, always taught him and his siblings, that you could never be too careful and that you could never rely on the local police to do the protecting.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
So it was sort of ingrained in Oscar to always have his head on a swivel. But ever since Oscar's rapid rise to fame, he'd been especially on edge, at least according to some of his old friends. They stated that Oscar always made sure to turn on his alarm system before bed. Oscar even told one friend that he started sleeping with a 9mm pistol next to his bed.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
This is the first of two episodes about former track star Oscar Pistorius. In 2012, Oscar became the first double-leg amputee runner to compete in the Olympics. With the help of his charming good looks, Oscar quickly rose to fame. only to swiftly fall from grace when his girlfriend, Riva Steenkamp, was shot dead in his own home, and Oscar had fired the gun.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
And while he was happy that his new home had more security features than the last, like electrified gates and its own security guards, Oscar still claimed there was a sense of unease, and maybe that was justified. The area had still fallen victim to two burglaries over the last several years, and while that was exceptionally low for the area, it was still notable to Oscar.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
Plus, according to Oscar, Riva had been receiving hate mail for her relationship with the athlete as of late, something that only added more fuel to Oscar's paranoia.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
Is it unusual for someone who's a new celebrity to feel a sense of fear or paranoia now that they're a public figure? What can paranoia like this do to someone, and how might it eat away at them over time?
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
Even if Oscar didn't feel safe in his own home, it seems like Reva did. On February 10th, 2013, Reva posted a photo on Instagram with the caption, I woke up in a happy, safe home this morning. Not everyone did. Speak out against the rape of individuals in SA. End quote.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
The message was in dedication to a 17-year-old girl named Aneen Boyson who had been sexually assaulted and killed outside of Cape Town. So advocacy was definitely top of mind for Riva that week, especially as she polished off a speech regarding the cause, one she was planning to deliver to students of a local high school on Friday the 15th.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
She even went to her publicist's office on the afternoon of February 13th to practice it out loud. Riva passionately detailed her life growing up on a farm, how they had little money, and how that led to low self-esteem, which then drove her to stay in an abusive partnership longer than she should have. But that beautifully written speech would never be heard by anyone else.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
Because in less than 24 hours, Reva Steenkamp would be dead.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
In today's episode, we'll explore the challenges Oscar overcame in his early years to land a spot in the 2012 Olympic Games. Then we'll follow his rise to fame and the murder that changed Oscar's legacy forever.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
acacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacacac Athletketketketketketketketketketacketketketketacketketketket Athlet Athlet Athlet Athlet Athlet Athletketketacketket Athlet Clketketket Athlet Clacacketketketketketketketketketketacacacacacacketketketketketketketketketketketketketketketketketketketketketketacketacacket ClacTVketTVket Clacacacacacketacacket ClacTVketTVket Clacacacacacacacket Clacacacket Clacacacket Clacacacket Clacacacket Clacacacket Clacacacket Clacacacket
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
Thank you. Thank you.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
Next time, we'll dig deeper into the secret life of Oscar Pistorius. We'll dig into his claims that Riva's death was an accident, and we'll look closer at Oscar's past to see if the demons he battled might have played a role. And as always, we'll be asking the question, what makes a killer? Fame changes people. It alters the way they think, the way they act.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
Thank you. Thank you.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
cle cle disput disput Athlet disput cle cle clemen disput cle cle disput cle cle disput cle cle disput cle cle disput cle cle disput cle disput cle cle disput cle cle disput cle cle disput cle cle disput cle cle disput cle cle disput cle disput disput cle disput disput cle disput nivel nivel cle disput disput disput cle disput cle cle disput cle cle disput cle cle disput cle cle disput cle cle disput disputac住 disput住 disput住 disput住 disput住 disputacacacacacacac住 disputacac住 disputacacac住 disput住 disput disput住 disput disputac住 disputacacket disputacacacacket disput住 disput disputacacket
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
,.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
,.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
It leaves some people feeling invincible, and others more vulnerable. And it almost always comes with a price. But fame wasn't written in the stars for Oscar Pistorius. Quite the opposite, actually. He was an underdog from birth. Oscar came into the world on November 22nd, 1986, in the city of Johannesburg, South Africa.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
a in ,,,,,,, , . . . . .. a, P P P P P P P P P P 100實 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , a a Killer Minds is hosted by me, Vanessa Richardson, and Dr. Tristan Engels, and is a Crime House original powered by Pave Studios.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
This episode was brought to life by the Killer Minds team, Max Cutler, Ron Shapiro, Alex Benidon, Lori Marinelli, Natalie Pertsovsky, Sarah Kamp, Sheila Patterson, and Carrie Murphy. Of the many sources we used when researching this episode, the one we found the most credible and helpful was... Chase Your Shadow, The Trials of Oscar Pistorius by John Carlin. Thank you for listening.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
He was born with a congenital defect, one that left him without his fibula bones in the bottom half of his legs. So, at 11 months old, Oscar's parents, Hank and Sheila, had to make a heart-wrenching decision about their son's future, and they believed it would be best for Oscar if they had both of his legs amputated from the calf down.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
As difficult as that process must have been, Hank and Sheila knew this was the best way for Oscar to live a normal life. And they were right. By his second birthday, Oscar was learning how to walk with prosthetic legs.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
While Oscar didn't walk away with a medal, he was seen as a modern icon for being the first double-leg amputee runner to compete in the Olympics. He gave hope to those who never dared to dream. But behind his unwavering ambition and athletic prowess, Oscar Pistorius harbored a lot of darkness.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
Would kids at that age notice their differences from other kids? Are there any long-lasting psychological repercussions to something like that?
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
Well, regardless of whether Oscar noticed his differences that young, he never let them stand in his way. And that mostly came at the encouragement of his mother, Sheila. She made sure Oscar was treated exactly like his two other siblings, insisting there was no such thing as disability in their house.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
As she told the kids each morning, quote, "'Carl, you put on your shoes, and Oscar, you go put on your legs.'" It was that sort of thing that made Oscar push himself beyond his limits, and soon he wasn't just exceeding expectations around the home, he was changing the minds of his peers, too.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
By his teens, Oscar had transitioned to a pair of lighter prosthetics, and for the first time in his life, sports became a possibility. Always eager to outperform, Oscar joined the water polo team and the rugby team, and he gained a newfound confidence because of it. But this new high Oscar was riding? Well, it was about to be usurped by a series of unexpected events.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
By 2002, when Oscar was 15, things had already been challenging for the Pistorius family. Sheila and Hank had divorced a few years prior, forcing the three kids and Sheila into a smaller house. In his father's absence, Oscar distracted himself with sports, but things at home took a turn for the worse when Sheila was diagnosed with hepatitis.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
And when a tragic accident took his girlfriend's life, many of those secrets rose to the surface, leaving people to wonder if it was really an accident or murder. The human mind is fascinating. It controls how we think, how we feel, how we love, and how we hate. And sometimes the mind drives us to do something truly unspeakable.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
Doctors tried to treat her condition, but she reacted adversely to the medication, and doctors later found they had misdiagnosed her hepatitis altogether. By that point, though, it was too late. The wrong medication had done too much damage. Only weeks after first falling ill, Sheila passed away on March 6th, 2002. Oscar seemed to take it the hardest.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
To drown out the pain, Oscar buried himself deeper in sports, but he pushed himself a little too far. The following year, in 2003, Oscar injured his knee while playing rugby, which meant Oscar's one escape had been taken from him. And suddenly, he felt as though he was left with nothing.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
Well, ultimately, Oscar realized his injury was actually a blessing in disguise. During his recovery, Oscar found himself in the hands of the same doctors who'd helped him 16 years earlier when he first got his amputation surgery. Only this time, during his physical therapy, one of them proposed something to Oscar, something that would change his life as he knew it.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
They suggested he take up running to get his knee back into fighting shape. Oscar accepted the challenge, and just a few weeks later, by the end of January 2004, the 17-year-old ran his first 100-meter race. With his father Hank watching from the stands, Oscar smoked his opponents.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
Not only did he win the race, he broke a record, finishing in 11.72 seconds, faster than any double amputee had before. Now, instead of returning to the rugby team, Oscar took up running full-time. There was just one problem — his prosthetic legs. They were wooden, primitive, maybe okay for high school sports, but Oscar was now in the big leagues.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
Plus, he was starting to train for the Paralympic Games eight months later. So that same year, in 2004, Oscar was referred to an innovative company in Iceland. There, they designed custom prosthetics for the 17-year-old Oscar, state-of-the-art carbon fiber blades known as cheetahs. And when he stepped onto the track in Greece that September, he caught everyone's eye.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
From that day on, Oscar Pistorius was known as the Blade Runner. Not only did Oscar Pistorius win the gold medal for the 200-meter event in the Paralympic Games in 2004, he took the bronze home in the 100-meter race as well, and he continued competing in different races over the next several years. Meanwhile, Oscar juggled school alongside it.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
In 2006, when he was 19, he enrolled at the University of Pretoria, outside of Johannesburg, South Africa, to study business management. But that didn't last long. Eventually, Oscar put his studies aside to compete in non-disabled races as well.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
In 2007, Oscar finished second in a 400-meter race in Rome, Italy, and the International Association of Athletics Foundation, a governing body that regulates track and field globally, took notice of Oscar. Though not in a good way. They asked Oscar to compete in a series of rigorous tests alongside six other non-disabled athletes at the German Sport University in Cologne, Germany. The objective?
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
To determine whether Oscar's blades gave him an unfair advantage over his non-disabled opponents. The tests included everything from running on an outdoor and an indoor track, to riding on a stationary bike, to measuring his blood and scanning his body for specific data points.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
In the end, they said Oscar's prosthetics allowed him to expend less energy than his competitors, therefore allowing him to maintain his speed longer and more consistently, meaning they believed Oscar did have an unfair advantage and therefore was no longer allowed to compete in non-disabled competitions. But Oscar refused to accept that.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Oscar Pistorius Pt. 1
This is Killer Minds, formerly known as Mind of a Serial Killer, a Crime House original. Every Monday and Thursday, we'll be taking deep dives into the minds of history's most notorious serial killers and murderers. The show is still the same, the name just changed. And if you're interested in more true crime stories from This Week in History, check out CrimeHouse The Show.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
we have an exciting update. Mind of a Serial Killer is now Killer Minds, expanding beyond serial killers to cover cult leaders, crimes of passion, spree killers, and more.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
Whether or not Charles' improved behavior was for real, he actually kept it up after his release. Now 19 years old, Charles moved to McMecan, West Virginia, bouncing between his family there. Charles was well-behaved. He got a job mucking out stables at a horse track and even met a girl, Rosalie Willis. They quickly started going steady, and on January 13, 1955, they got married.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
Charles and Rosalie settled into a comfortable life together. He made a few friends and even learned guitar. It wasn't long before Rosalie was expecting their first child. But adding to their family was expensive, and Charles was struggling to make ends meet. So he turned to what he did best — stealing. He mostly stole cars and sold them in other states.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
But the extra money wasn't enough to give Charles the life he wanted. By the summer of 1955, he'd had enough of West Virginia. He wanted to go west to California. His mother Kathleen had moved there, and Charles figured he and Rosalie could stay with her. So he stole another car, and they headed to Los Angeles to move in with Kathleen.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
Charles kept driving the vehicle around for months after their arrival. But in September 1955, a cop ran his plate and realized it was stolen. Charles was terrified of being locked up. The second he got the chance, he and Rosalie skipped town. They ended up in Indianapolis, where Rosalie gave birth to Charles Manson Jr. on April 10, 1956.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
But the new parents didn't have much time to enjoy their new baby. Just four days later, the cops caught up to them, and Charles was dragged back to California. And this time, there was no escaping. In April 1956, 21-year-old Charles Manson was arrested after trying to evade car theft charges.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
He was sentenced to three years at Terminal Island Penitentiary in San Pedro, California, just a few miles south of LA. Meanwhile, his wife Rosalie and their newborn baby returned to California and moved back in with Charles' mom so they could be nearby. At Terminal Island, Charles interacted with all sorts of convicts.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
Unlike his time at reform school, though, he didn't need to worry about asserting his dominance over them. If he didn't start any trouble, there wouldn't be any trouble. Instead, he decided to use his time to learn from his fellow convicts, specifically the pimps. They told Charles how they recruited vulnerable young women, then controlled them by separating them from their families.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
His disciples were all too eager to obey. They followed his every order without question. even if it meant committing murder. The human mind is fascinating. It controls how we think, how we feel, how we love, and how we hate. And sometimes the mind drives us to do something truly unspeakable. This is Killer Minds, formerly known as Mind of a Serial Killer, a Crime House original.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
To make sure the women didn't try to leave, the pimps would give them just the right mixture of love bombing and fear. Most people would find that advice horrifying. Charles found it fascinating.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
Do you think there's actually some part of him that has a desire to be a twisted sort of provider for them?
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
But there were some things in life Charles couldn't control. At first, Rosalie would bring Charles Jr. with her to visit the prison every week. Then, about a year into Charles' sentence, she stopped showing up. Rosalie had met someone else and was moving on. In June 1957, she and Charles were officially divorced. After that, Rosalie and the baby were completely out of his life.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
Yeah, they had given Charles a sense of purpose. But now that they were gone, he needed to find a new direction in his life. It came in the form of a self-help guru named Dale Carnegie, the author of How to Win Friends and Influence People. Carnegie offered self-improvement classes at Terminal Island, and Charles was allowed to join one. He took to it like a fish to water.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
Carnegie's book contained advice that would become especially important to Charles. He specifically latched onto the phrase, quote, "...let the other fellow feel that the idea is his," end quote. The course seemed to spark new life in Charles. Like his final stint in reform school, he became a model inmate, and on September 30, 1958, he was released early for good behavior.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
Once again, he had the opportunity to take his life in any direction. But he couldn't seem to hold down a job. He was too focused on trying to become a pimp. It didn't go well. After his release, he stayed in L.A. and managed to recruit a couple young women. But he didn't follow his prison mentor's advice because he let them stay in touch with their families.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
Almost immediately, one of the women's fathers complained about Charles to the police. Charles managed to talk his way out of it, and it wasn't long before he found himself in more hot water. On May 1, 1959, 24-year-old Charles got caught after he stole a U.S. Treasury check from a mailbox and tried to cash it.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
He was only able to avoid jail time because one of his few remaining sex workers pretended to be pregnant with his child. And they convinced Charles' parole officer to intervene. Instead, he got a 10-year suspended sentence that let him remain a free man. But in what had now become a predictable pattern, Charles didn't use the opportunity to better his life.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
Instead, he dug in further, continuing to work as a pimp and stealing cars. However, Charles wasn't exactly a criminal mastermind. It didn't take long for the authorities to catch on to him, and he was arrested barely a year after being released from Terminal Island. His suspended sentence was revoked, and he was sent to a prison off the coast of Washington state to serve out the rest of his time.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
Thirteen months after his release from Terminal Island, 25-year-old Charles was arrested again.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
Every Monday and Thursday, we'll be taking deep dives into the minds of history's most notorious serial killers and murderers. The show is still the same, the name just changed. And if you're interested in more true crime stories from This Week in History, check out CrimeHouse The Show.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
Well, one thing was for sure. Charles treated this last incarceration as another learning opportunity. This time, he dove into the Church of Scientology, which had been founded just a few years earlier. But like the Dale Carnegie classes, Charles saw it less as an opportunity for self-improvement and more as a tool for manipulation.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
He thought he could use the tenets of Scientology to appeal to potential sex work recruits, but he also used his new religion to placate the prison's staff. They liked it when inmates showed a positive attitude and were encouraged by Charles' interest in Scientology. Around this time, Charles also became interested in a science fiction book called Stranger in a Strange Land.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
It's about a man raised on Mars who starts his own religion on Earth. The character also uses his mind to destroy his enemies, engages in group sex, and becomes an immortal spirit. These ideas, particularly the group sex, would become a major factor in Charles' ideology down the road.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
Every episode covers multiple cases, unified by the same theme, so every week you get something a little different. At Crime House, we want to express our gratitude to you, our community, for making this possible. Please support us by rating, reviewing, and following Killer Minds wherever you get your podcasts. Your feedback truly matters.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
In addition to learning to manipulate people, Charles used his time in prison to rekindle the guitar hobby he'd started back in West Virginia. One of the prison's most notorious convicts, former outlaw Alvin Creepy Karpis, was also a talented musician, and he was happy to give Charles lessons, although he didn't think his new student was very good.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
But the biggest musical influence on Charles during this time was the Beatles. After hearing them on the radio, Charles became obsessed with becoming a famous musician himself. Until now, music had always been a fun hobby.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
Charles' obsession with music helped him stay out of trouble, though, and on March 21, 1967, he was released early. Left with nowhere to go, he called a former prisoner he'd been friendly with. He invited 32-year-old Charles to come stay with him in Berkeley, California, in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
As one of the hippie movement's hotspots, it was the ideal place for an aspiring musician like Charles to hone his craft. But to Charles Manson, the Bay Area must have seemed like another planet. Until this point, he'd spent over half his life, and almost all of his adult years, in some kind of correctional facility.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
Now he was set loose in the streets of Berkeley, the epicenter of the counterculture revolution that was sweeping the nation. It was home to people from all walks of life, from the Black Panthers to student protests at the University of California, to people just looking to express themselves freely. That included aspiring musicians like Charles, which presented a problem.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
Every street corner was claimed, and every club was booked, so making a living playing guitar wasn't going to be easy. And Charles wasn't interested in working a typical blue-collar job in the meantime. He couldn't crash on his friend's couch forever, though, so if Charles was going to make his dreams come true, he needed to find somewhere to stay long-term that didn't require him to pay rent.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
And thanks to what he'd learned in prison, he knew exactly how to do it.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
And to enhance your killer mind's listening experience, subscribe to CrimeHouse Plus on Apple Podcasts. You'll get every episode ad-free, and instead of having to wait for each episode of a two-part series, you'll get access to both at once, plus exciting CrimeHouse bonus content. I'm Vanessa Richardson.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
In March of 1967, 32-year-old Charles Manson arrived in Berkeley, California, with dreams of becoming a famous musician. But the reality of that dream quickly set in. If Charles was going to stick around, he needed somewhere to stay that wasn't a fellow ex-convict's couch. And it wasn't long before he found the perfect opportunity.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
Shortly after arriving in Berkeley, Charles was on the University of California's campus when he noticed someone standing out in the crowd, a 23-year-old assistant librarian named Mary Brunner. Unlike most of the people in Berkeley, Mary was very conservative, and she dressed like it. Charles sensed she was lonely in the sea of hippies, and they struck up a conversation.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
That was all Charles needed to sink his hooks into her. One of Charles Manson's enduring mysteries is how he convinced people to do such awful things for him. But when it came to Mary Brunner, all he had to do was be nice to her. He sang her some songs, complimented her dog, connected with her about the environment, he made her feel seen.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
And when he mentioned he didn't have anywhere to stay at the moment, she was happy to put him up for a few nights. But Charles had no intention of leaving. It wasn't long before he and Mary were sleeping together, and he'd moved in for good. Charles wasn't really interested in a traditional relationship, though. He frequently brought other girls over to Mary's apartment, and she tolerated it.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
As long as Charles still made her feel special, Mary turned a blind eye.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
New episodes drop every Monday and Thursday right here. No need to do anything, just stay tuned. Now enjoy the episode.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
And Charles loved the attention he got from all the various women he brought back to the apartment. But that feeling was fleeting. As soon as his visitors went home, it was just him and Mary again. Although she certainly doted on him, it wasn't enough. He wanted that feeling of overwhelming adoration permanently.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
To make that happen, he headed across the bay to San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury district. Charles loved going to the Haight, as it was known. It was a hippie neighborhood with easy access to sex, drugs, and plenty of New Age thinking. While the district had its fair share of opportunities for street musicians like him, that's not what brought Charles there.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
He liked Haight because it was a hotspot for street preachers. But Charles was fascinated by the hold some of these gurus had on their followers, and after everything he'd learned in prison, he felt like he could build a flock of his own. So he found an open stretch of sidewalk and started preaching. A lot of it was the same hippie philosophy all the others were spouting.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
This is the first of two episodes on Charles Manson. Some call him a cult leader. Some call him a serial killer. Some wonder if he can even be considered a killer at all. Because even though he went to prison for murder, Charles didn't deliver the fatal blow to any of his victims. His followers were his weapon of choice.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
Self-love, limitless possibility, New Age spirituality, that sort of thing. But Charles delivered it better than anyone else. It wasn't long before his sermons attracted a devoted audience. Along with the attention he was getting, Charles enjoyed the easy access to drugs in the hate, particularly LSD.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
As his mind became increasingly divorced from reality, he started to equate himself with none other than Jesus Christ. He thought that if he could get a few devoted followers, they could recruit more exponentially, just like the apostles did for Jesus.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
In May of 1967, 32-year-old Charles gained his first disciple, Lynette Fromey, an 18-year-old runaway he met on a trip to Venice Beach. Like with Mary Brunner, Charles made Lynette feel loved and appreciated. He gave her the meaning she was searching for, and she was eager to accompany him back to Berkeley.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
Lynette moved in with Charles and Mary, and by the end of the summer they were joined by two women named Patricia Krenwinkel and Susan Atkins. But it wasn't all love and sunshine. Between the moments of bliss, Charles was always looking to test his followers' devotion. Sometimes he made them stand in front of a tree while Charles threw knives around them.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
He wanted to see if they would trust him with their lives. And they did. That wasn't enough for him, though. He needed their focus on him at all times. If Charles felt like someone's attention was drifting during one of his sermons, he could get physically violent. By the end of the summer, Charles may have decided he needed more discipline in the group.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
To him, that meant recruiting some men as well. Sometime in the fall of 1967, he won over a guy named Bruce Davis. Bruce looked up to Charles just like the others did, and was desperate to become his right-hand man. Charles was happy to have a follower who was that devoted to him. And for the moment, the group he called the Manson family felt complete.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
In today's episode, we'll dig into Charles' early life and the circumstances that led him to form the notorious Manson family cult. Next time, we'll follow Charles' desperate search for purpose, his descent into madness, and the tragic murders that still haunt society today. And as always, we'll be asking the question, what makes a killer?
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
Well, now that Charles had his dedicated group of acolytes, he decided it was time to move on from the Bay Area. Although being a spiritual guru was nice, he still held onto his dreams of becoming a professional musician. To do that, he had to be where the action was, Los Angeles. So in November 1967, he gathered the family, and they drove down to LA in an old school bus.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
It turned out his old prison mentor who'd taught Charles guitar was well connected in the music scene. He told Charles to seek out an executive at Universal Music named Gary Stromberg. Stromberg actually agreed to see him, and liked Charles' music enough to set up a studio session. But once he got into the booth, Charles was out of his depth.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
Stromberg suggested he work on his music some more and they could try again another time. That meant the Manson family needed somewhere to stay. They crashed at a few places in Topanga Canyon, LA's hippie hotspot. A lot of musicians lived there, and Charles spent a lot of time trying to connect with them. But they didn't think he was all that talented, and they brushed him off.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
Charles didn't take it well. He took out his frustrations on his followers, sometimes through physical abuse. But his hold over them remained powerful, and they refused to abandon him while he pursued his dreams.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
Even though Charles had plenty of loyal followers at this point, he decided he wanted to grow the family even more. He used the new environment to recruit more people, including 18-year-old Paul Watkins, the family's second male recruit, Ruth Ann Morehouse, a girl who Charles had been trying to get to join them for a while, and Dee Dee Lansbury, actress Angela Lansbury's teenage daughter.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
By early 1968, there were almost 20 people in the Manson family. Money wasn't a huge concern for them, they had plenty of places to stay, and there were so many of them, they could scrounge up enough from panhandling to get by. With this many people at his disposal, Charles was more interested in using his followers to help him make connections.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
He liked to send the girls into the city to make friends with anyone who could introduce him to the right people. And sometime in the spring of 1968, it paid off when a couple of them befriended Dennis Wilson, the drummer of the Beach Boys. They introduced him to Charles, who wormed his way into Dennis' good graces.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
Within a few days, the entire Manson family was getting comfortable at Dennis' large estate on Sunset Boulevard. Dennis loved Charles. He wasn't interested in joining the family, but he was more than happy to introduce Charles to a few friends in the music business. One of them was a young producer named Terry Melcher. Terry was a verified hitmaker.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
From the moment he was born on November 12th, 1934, Charles Manson's life was driven by deception. His birth certificate listed Kathleen and William Manson as his parents. But for years, Charles had no idea that William wasn't his father. That honor most likely belonged to a con artist named Colonel Scott.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
Signing with him was almost a guaranteed success. But even though Charles came highly recommended to Terry, he didn't just sign people as a favor. And Terry wasn't interested in Charles' music. Dennis Wilson wasn't much of a resource anymore, either. After a few months, he'd started to tire of the family's constant presence. What began as a fun novelty had become an exhausting chore.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
Charles was extremely demanding and too much to deal with. When Dennis' lease ended later that summer, he moved into a smaller place that couldn't accommodate the Manson family. Charles and his followers were back on their own, and his dreams of becoming a musician seemed farther away than ever.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
Dr. Ankles, do people like Charles tend to make excuses in situations like this? Are they capable of introspection and really understanding why someone's upset with them?
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
However Charles felt about getting kicked out of Dennis' place, he was certainly adaptable. He moved the family into Spahn Ranch, an old Western movie set outside of L.A. that had fallen into disrepair. In exchange for helping fix up the place, the ranch's elderly owner let them stay in the various shacks around the property for free.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, Charles was able to reassert control over the family. Dennis Wilson's house had been full of distractions. Now that they were more isolated out in the country, he could strengthen the hypnotic hold he had over his followers. He wanted more than a family. He wanted a cult. Thanks so much for listening.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
Come back next time for the conclusion of our series on Charles Manson and the terrifying murders he called Helter Skelter.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
And to enhance your listening experience, subscribe to CrimeHouse Plus on Apple Podcasts. You'll get every episode of Killer Minds ad-free, along with early access to each thrilling two-part series and exciting bonus content. Killer Minds is hosted by me, Vanessa Richardson, and Dr. Tristan Engels, and is a Crime House original powered by Pave Studios.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
Colonel was Scott's given first name, but if people assumed he was in the Army, he didn't bother correcting them. That's how he caught Kathleen Maddox's attention at a dance club in Ironton, Ohio. He was 23. She was just 15. Kathleen was charmed by the older man she assumed was a military officer.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
This episode was brought to life by the Killer Minds team, Max Cutler, Ron Shapiro, Alex Benidon, Lori Marinelli, Natalie Pertsovsky, Sarah Camp, and Sheila Patterson. Of the many sources we used when researching this episode, the one we found the most credible and helpful was The Life and Times of Charles Manson by Jeff Gwynn. Thank you for listening.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
So when she discovered she was pregnant sometime in the spring of 1934, Kathleen had no reason to doubt the colonel when he said he was being called away on duty. He promised he'd be back as soon as he could, but she never heard from him again. After a few months, Kathleen finally realized she'd been duped, and now she needed to find someone to help raise her soon-to-be newborn baby.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
That's when William Manson, who worked for a dry cleaning business, entered the picture. It's not really clear how the two of them met, but by the time Charles was born on November 12th, 1934, Kathleen and William were married. However, it doesn't seem either of them was all that interested in parenting. William wasn't around much, and neither was Kathleen.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
Most days, she dropped Charles off with her mom so she could go out drinking with her brother.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
We all want a little guidance in our lives. Whether it's a long-time mentor, a favorite teacher, or maybe even your weekly astrology chart, it's nice to have someone or something to rely on for advice when things get tough. That was especially true in the 1960s and 70s during the counterculture era. It was a chaotic time, dominated by the Vietnam War and the protests against it.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
So even if Charles' grandmother was a nurturing guardian, what kind of impact does it have on a child when they can tell their parents aren't that interested in raising them?
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
With all this going on, it didn't take Kathleen and William long to realize they weren't right for each other. Within two and a half years, they were divorced. After that, Kathleen turned to petty crime to get by. And on August 1st, 1939, when Charles was almost five, she was arrested after an unsuccessful robbery.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
Kathleen spent the next few years behind bars while young Charles was given to his aunt, uncle, and cousin who lived near the West Virginia prison where she was incarcerated.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
And it was a strict household on top of that, and Charles was frequently punished for breaking the rules. And he didn't have it much easier at school. He was small for his age and prone to mischief. That meant he drew the attention of bullies and received discipline from his teachers. It was a lot for a young boy to handle on his own.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
So when Kathleen was released from prison in 1942, eight-year-old Charles was over the moon. But after a short period of good behavior from both of them, things went south. Kathleen had a hard time staying on the straight and narrow, and Charles took his cues from her. He stopped going to school and started stealing from local shops.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
By the time Kathleen finally decided to get her life on track in 1943, she couldn't control her son anymore. In 1947, when Charles was 12, she sent him to a reform school in Terre Haute, Indiana called the Jebeau School for Boys. Predictably, things didn't go well. Within 10 months, Charles had run away multiple times.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
He alternated between going back to his family and living on his own, stealing to get by. When he inevitably got caught, he was sent to even stricter institutions. In 1949, at 13 years old, Charles found himself at a place called the Indiana Boys' School. And that's when his life became a living hell. It wasn't like things had been easy until this point.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
To find a sense of stability, a lot of people looked to spiritual gurus. With so much uncertainty in the world, it was reassuring to put your faith in someone who offered a sense of control over the chaos. But sometimes, that guidance turned out to be dangerous.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
But at the Indiana Boys School, things took a tragically dark turn. According to Charles, he was sexually assaulted by some of his fellow students. And to make a horrifying situation even worse, it was apparently encouraged by a staff member.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
Now, it is important to note that Charles Manson was a notorious liar. And as author Jeff Gwynn pointed out in The Life and Times of Charles Manson, it's possible he was not being entirely truthful about the situation. But based on his later actions, it does seem like Charles experienced some kind of sexual abuse at the Indiana boys' school.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
So it wasn't surprising that Charles constantly tried to run away, to the tune of 18 times over the course of three years. And in February 1951, when Charles was 16, he got away from the Indiana boys' school for good. He and a couple other kids stole a car and decided to take it for a multi-state joyride, which got him in trouble with the federal authorities.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
Instead of sending Charles back to Indiana, he was placed in the federal system, first at a facility called the National Training School in Washington, D.C., and then the Natural Bridge Honor Camp in Virginia. This time, he was the one attacking others. In January 1952, Charles was caught sexually assaulting another boy while holding a blade to his throat.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
Many of those gurus were self-proclaimed, and oftentimes more interested in boosting their own fortunes than providing the support they promised. And when it came to these false prophets, none were more dangerous than Charles Manson. Charles promised his followers the world. As long as they did what he said, they'd be rewarded with eternal happiness beyond their wildest dreams.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
MURDEROUS MINDS: Charles Manson & The Manson Family Cult Pt.1
After that, he was transferred to a high-security reform institution. With nowhere left to go, it seems like Charles realized he had to turn things around. Or at least pretend he did. He became such a model student that he was released early in 1954.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
And this time he decided to do something about it.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
In early 1989, 30-year-old Joel Rifkin seemed to be finally making some progress in his career and his love life. He got an internship at an arboretum near his home on Long Island and even tried to make a romantic connection with a fellow intern. But when she didn't reciprocate his feelings, he started to spiral.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
Every episode covers multiple cases, unified by the same theme, so every week you get something a little different. At Crime House, we want to express our gratitude to you, our community, for making this possible. Please support us by rating, reviewing, and following Mind of a Serial Killer wherever you get your podcasts.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
All of a sudden, the pain, resentment, and shame he'd felt throughout his life came rushing back. Joel couldn't handle it. He needed to take his frustrations out on something. On February 20th, 1989, Joel's mom was out of town. He used the opportunity to drive into New York City like he'd done countless times before.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
He picked up a sex worker who called herself Susie and brought her back to his family's house on Long Island. After Joel and Susie had sex, she asked if they could go out and get some drugs, but Joel had no intention of letting her leave. Instead, he grabbed a heavy metal artillery shell he'd gotten from a flea market and started beating her with it.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
After a few minutes, Joel was sure Susie was dead. But when he tried to move her, he realized she was still breathing. That's when Joel finally acted on his twisted fantasy. He grabbed Susie and strangled her to death. As the reality of what he'd done set in, Joel didn't feel any sense of remorse. He felt detached, cold.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
In the documentary Rifkin on Rifkin, Private Confessions of a Killer, he said, At the time, there was no more thought than stomping on a bug or a cockroach.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
Too many kids go through the painful experience of being bullied, of being made to feel like they don't belong. It's understandable that wounds like this can linger into adulthood, creating a sense of deep alienation. Most of us are able to overcome those feelings, or at least confront them in a healthy way. But what happens when those wounds never heal, when they grow deeper and fester?
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
Dr. Engels, after so many years of fantasizing about this moment when he kills Susan, is it odd that he didn't feel more relief here?
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
And to enhance your Mind of a Serial Killer listening experience, subscribe to Crime House Plus on Apple Podcasts. You'll get every episode ad-free, and instead of having to wait for each episode of a two-part series, you'll get access to both at once, plus exciting bonus content. I'm Vanessa Richardson.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
However Joel felt in that moment, he couldn't dwell on it for long because he had to figure out what to do with Susie's body. He had some ideas, though, because he'd been reading up on serial killers in preparation for this moment. In the end, he decided to take the body down to the basement and dismember it.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
He even cut off his victim's fingertips and pulled out her teeth to make it harder to identify her. But just like the murder itself, the gruesome task didn't bother him. Later, Joel said he, quote, "...looked at it as a job." After he was done, Joel placed Susie's severed head in an empty paint can and disposed of it near a golf club in New Jersey.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
He dumped the rest of her remains into the East River. And even though some golfers did find Susie's head a couple weeks later, the police were never able to identify her, just as he'd planned. There wasn't any evidence leading back to Joel either. He'd just gotten away with murder. But there were some variables he hadn't considered.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
When the news reported on the murder, they revealed that Susie had been HIV positive. Joel was terrified. Although he wasn't infected, the experience probably made him think twice about what he was doing. But after about a year and a half, Joel couldn't wait any longer. He was ready to strike again.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
Sometime around late 1990, his mom headed out of town again, and Joel decided to look for another victim. Like before, Joel drove into the city and hired a sex worker. This time he fixated on a blonde woman named Julie Blackbird. She reminded him of Marilyn Monroe. Like he'd done with his first victim, Joel brought Julie back to his house.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
After they had sex, he bludgeoned her, this time with a heavy table leg. Once she was too weak to fight back, Joel strangled her to death. Then he dismembered her body in the basement. But before he did, he considered emulating one of his serial killer heroes, Ted Bundy, by having sex with her body. In the end, though, he claims he didn't go through with it. He thought it was too repulsive.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
Whatever twisted moral compass Joel was following, he decided to be more careful about getting rid of Julie's body. He didn't want to risk having her remains discovered and linked back to him. This time, he put her body parts into a few buckets and a milk crate, filled the containers with cement, and dropped them into the East River. To this day, nobody has found Julie Blackbird's remains.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
And now that Joel had murdered two people with little issue, he was feeling more confident. On July 13th, 1991, less than a year after he killed Julie Blackbird, Joel killed another sex worker, a woman named Barbara Jacobs. In what was now a familiar pattern, Joel brought Barbara back to the house in Long Island, then bludgeoned her with the same table leg he used to kill Julie Blackbird.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
Then he proceeded to strangle her to death. However, Joel was put off by the thought of dismembering another victim. Or maybe he just didn't want to go through the trouble. Either way, he simply wrapped Barbara's body in plastic, placed it in a cardboard box, then dropped it into the Hudson River. This change in plans was a critical mistake.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
Before we get into the story, you should know it contains descriptions of sexual assault, dismemberment, and murder. Listener discretion is advised. This is the first of two episodes on serial killer Joel Rifkin, also known as Joel the Ripper. In the late 1980s and early 90s, Joel stalked the streets of New York City, preying on vulnerable sex workers.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
Just a few hours later, the box with Barbara's body still in it washed back on shore and was discovered by firefighters doing a training exercise. Even then, Joel's carelessness didn't come back to bite him. Even though someone had clearly tried to dump Barbara's body, the coroner determined she died of a drug overdose.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
It's not clear if they didn't notice the impact wounds from the table leg or just didn't want to waste time and resources on a sex worker. But either way, the authorities didn't pursue it any further.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
Well, it made Joel realize that if he chose a certain kind of victim, namely vulnerable, anonymous women, he didn't need to worry about being so careful after all. A little less than two months later, on September 1st, 1991, 32-year-old Joel headed to his familiar hunting ground in Manhattan, where he picked up 22-year-old sex worker Mary Ellen DeLuca.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
But Joel didn't take Mary Ellen back to his house like with his first three victims. Instead, he drove her around the city until sunrise, stopping to score drugs for her along the way. It's not clear if he was trying to make it look like a drug overdose or if he was just trying to make Mary Ellen more intoxicated and vulnerable.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
Regardless, they eventually ended up at a cheap motel where Joel strangled her to death.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
Well, Joel hadn't thought the whole thing through. The sun was up, and he was in the middle of New York City with a dead body on his hands. Thinking fast, Joel took more inspiration from his favorite movie, Frenzy. He remembered that in one scene, the killer hides one of his victims in a heavy clothing trunk.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
So Joel went out and bought a similar trunk, lugged it back to the motel room, and placed Mary Ellen's body inside. Then he carried it out to his car and dropped it at a rest stop in plain sight. It took a month for anyone to bother looking at it. By that point, Mary Ellen's remains were so badly decomposed she couldn't be identified. She was buried as a Jane Doe.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
But the experience emboldened Joel even further. At this point, he must have felt invincible.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
Does it give them a sense of invincibility? Do they feel like they're able to kill with greater frequency? Or is that drive so innate in them that it wouldn't matter if they're being investigated or not?
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
In total, he claimed at least 17 victims, the highest number in New York's history. In today's episode, we'll explore the trauma and alienation Joel experienced as a child, how those wounds festered into adulthood, and how it turned him into a merciless serial killer.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
Well, once Joel realized nobody was coming after him, he certainly wasn't trying to space out his attacks anymore. Later in September 1991, just a few weeks after killing Mary Ellen DeLuca, Joel murdered 31-year-old sex worker Yun Lee. He put her in the same kind of trunk he'd used with Mary Ellen, but this time he went back to his original strategy and dropped it in the East River.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
After that, 32-year-old Joel took a couple months off, but not because he was worried about being caught. Murder had become so routine to him and had lost that special edge. He wasn't really even planning them out anymore. Instead, he later described his thinking as, quote, "'If it happens, it happens.'" Well, just before Christmas 1991, it happened again.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
Joel picked up a sex worker in Manhattan whose name he couldn't recall. This time, he didn't even bother going somewhere to kill her. He just did it right in his car.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
With her body in the passenger seat, he drove out to a workspace he'd rented that year to start a landscaping business. He left the body there, then went to pick up a 55-gallon drum from a recycling plant where he used to work. He went back to fetch the body, then headed for an old junkyard along the East River. But the area wasn't as private as Joel thought.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
As he headed back to his car, there were two police officers waiting for him. And they were very interested in what Joel was up to. Around Christmas time in 1991, 32-year-old Joel Rifkin claimed his sixth victim. After killing her, he went to a Riverside junkyard to get rid of the body, but on his way back to his car, Joel was stopped by a pair of police officers.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
Now, it's not clear if the officers saw him dropping the barrel in the river, but they did think he was at the junkyard to illegally dump some trash. Joel managed to talk his way out of it. He said he was actually there to look for junk, not to throw it away. The officers took him at his word. They let Joel leave with nothing more than a warning.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
They had no idea they'd just let a serial killer slip through their fingers.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
Next time, we'll follow his insatiable addiction to violence, the conclusion of his grisly murder spree, and how the police finally caught up to him. And as always, we'll be asking the question, what makes a serial killer? Throughout his life, Joel Rifkin was always incredibly insecure. Even though he was smart and capable, he felt like he could never measure up to people's expectations.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
Well, in some way, the close call seemed to have energized Joel because he barely waited before killing again. Just a few days later, on December 26th, 1991, Joel murdered 28-year-old Lorraine Orvieto. He didn't even bother going to the city this time. He picked her up close to his family's house on Long Island. Once he had Lorraine in his car, Joel killed her in an empty school parking lot.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
Afterwards, Joel put her body in another large plastic drum. Then he drove out to Brooklyn and dumped the container into Coney Island Creek. By the end of 1991, Joel had murdered at least seven women. And he wasn't going to stop anytime soon.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
Well, it certainly seemed like Joel's need to kill was becoming routine at this point. On January 2nd, 1992, just about a week after he murdered Lorraine Orvieto, Joel hired a 39-year-old sex worker named Mary Ann Holloman. He picked her up and took her to the same parking lot where he'd taken his fourth victim, Yeon Lee, just a few months before.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
And he killed her in the same way he'd killed Lorraine Orvieto just a week prior.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
strangulation during oral sex then he drove the body back to long island put it in one of his 55 gallon drums and dumped it in a nearby creek at this point as you said the novelty of killing had worn off so much for joel that he didn't even remember his next victim's name or even when he killed her not much is known about this woman so she's only referred to as victim number nine
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
later on joel could only recall that she had tattoos and fought fiercely for her life but when her body was discovered floating along a creek in brooklyn on may 13 1992 the authorities didn't even suspect murder even though she'd been stuffed in a barrel just like several of joel's other victims the authorities found drugs in her system
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
They thought maybe she was a drug mule who'd died of an overdose and didn't look into it any further. After killing his ninth victim, Joel murdered three more women by mid-July of 1992, Iris Sanchez, Ana Lopez, and Violet O'Neill.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
Although they all played out a bit differently, like at various times of day, with different ways of disposing of the bodies, the method was always the same, strangulation. If Joel was looking for a new rush, what happened next definitely accomplished that. On July 9th, 1992, the police received an anonymous tip that there was a dead body on the banks of Coney Island Creek.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
It was the remains of Joel's eighth victim, Mary Ann Holliman. By coincidence, the police also found the remains of Joel's seventh victim, Lorraine Orvieto, two days later. The similarities were obvious. Both were sex workers. Both had been stuffed into oil drums. Both had clearly died from strangulation wounds.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
Finally, the police realized they were dealing with murder cases, not overdoses, and that they might have a serial killer on their hands.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
And those feelings stemmed from some of his earliest childhood moments. After Joel was born on January 20th, 1959, his birth parents, who were young and unmarried, put him up for adoption. Of course, he wasn't able to understand what was happening to him at the time, but his adoptive parents, Jean and Bernard Rifkin, treated Joel as if he were their own flesh and blood.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
For the moment, these were the only cases being linked to the same person, and nobody suspected Joel was the culprit. Even so, Joel decided to lay low for a bit. He didn't kill again for the rest of the summer, but by the fall, he was ready to strike again. Tragically, we don't know a lot about many of Joel's victims.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
But we do know a bit more about the next woman he attacked, 32-year-old Mary Catherine Williams. Back in high school, Mary Catherine was homecoming queen and head cheerleader. She was the kind of pretty, popular, all-American girl Joel never had a chance with as a teenager. But as an adult, her life took a turn for the worse.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
She moved to New York to try to break into acting, but things didn't work out. Mary Catherine ended up down on her luck, separated from her husband, and addicted to crack cocaine. She eventually turned to sex work, which is how she crossed paths with Joel Rifkin. He hired her on a couple of occasions and everything had gone fine.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
So when he hired her again on October 2nd, 1992, Mary Catherine didn't think anything was amiss. Joel bought her some drugs and she trusted him enough to fall asleep in his car. And that's when he attacked. Like all his other victims, Joel strangled Mary Catherine to death. After the long break between murders, it seems like Joel couldn't help himself any longer.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
After killing Mary Catherine, he only waited about a month and a half before seeking out his 14th victim, 23-year-old Jenny Soto. On November 16, 1992, Joel picked Jenny up in Manhattan near the Williamsburg Bridge. After having sex with her in his pickup truck, Joel began to strangle her. But Jenny fought back, hard.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
The struggle was so intense, she broke every single one of her false nails and left deep scratches all over Joel's body before he eventually overpowered her. The experience left Joel feeling shaken up. Plenty of his victims had resisted him before, but Jenny was the first to leave a mark.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
Now, he didn't just have to figure out how to get rid of her body, he had to figure out how to explain those scratches, too. He knew that in order to avoid suspicion, he had to take a longer break from killing. But like many people who suffer from addiction, Joel couldn't contain himself. And when he went in search for his next fix, it was deadlier than ever. Thanks so much for listening.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
We'll be back next time as we discuss Joel Rifkin's last victims and the unlikely event that led to the end of his rampage.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
And to enhance your listening experience, subscribe to Crime House Plus on Apple Podcasts. You'll get every episode of Mind of a Serial Killer ad-free, along with early access to each thrilling two-part series and exciting bonus content. We'll be back next Monday.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
Mind of a Serial Killer is hosted by me, Vanessa Richardson, and Dr. Tristan Engels, and is a CrimeHouse original powered by PAVE Studios. This episode was brought to life by the Mind of a Serial Killer team, Max Cutler, Ron Shapiro,
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
Growing up in Long Island, New York, Joel was comfortable, safe, and loved. But being a Rifkin came with high expectations, particularly from his adoptive father. Bernard was a successful structural engineer who was popular with friends and colleagues, and Joel didn't quite live up to that reputation.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
Of the many sources we used when researching this episode, the one we found the most credible and helpful was Joel Rifkin, The Horrifying and True Story of Joel the Ripper by Jack Rosewood and Rebecca Lowe. Thank you for listening.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
Joel was a naturally smart kid with a recorded IQ of 128, but he also struggled with an undiagnosed learning disability, possibly dyslexia. It impacted his grades, which seemed to embarrass Bernard. Even typical father-son activities like playing catch in the yard came with a lot of pressure. Joel said that Bernard, who had been a college athlete, wanted Joel to follow in his footsteps.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
But Joel admitted he had, quote, "...as much chance of catching the ball with his face as with his hands."
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
Dr. Ingalls, how can unrealistic expectations from a parent linger into adulthood? Of course, they don't turn everyone into a serial killer, but what's the long-term effects of feeling that familial pressure?
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
How far would you go to finally regain power or control? In the case of Joel Rifkin, he went to the most extreme lengths possible. He found vulnerable people he could dominate and made sure he was the one in control. The human mind is fascinating. It controls how we think, how we feel, how we love, and how we hate. And sometimes the mind drives us to do something truly unspeakable.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
The pressures at home definitely seemed to overwhelm Joel, and he didn't have it easy at school either. On top of being a bad student, his appearance made him a target for bullying in junior high. With his thick wire-framed glasses and bad posture, Joel was nicknamed the Turtle. And that was just the beginning of his suffering.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
When Joel got to high school, he tried to make some friends by joining the track team. It didn't work. His lack of athleticism earned him yet another embarrassing nickname, Lardass. With no friends to speak of, Joel spent his nights holed up alone in his room. And even though Joel had an adoptive sister and they got along, it doesn't seem like they were particularly close.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
Instead, Joel found comfort and escape by watching movies. And in 1972, when he was 13, one film in particular caught his attention. Sometime that year, Joel watched a horror movie called Frenzy. It's all about a serial killer who terrorizes the streets of London and strangles his victims with neckties.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
One scene in particular features the murder of a character shown close up as she's sexually assaulted and strangled to death. Joel would later claim this movie was the inspiration behind his murder spree, but for the moment he wasn't planning to hurt anyone, he was still trying to make friends.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
In another attempt to fit in, he joined the staff of his high school yearbook, but his camera was immediately stolen, and then he didn't get invited to the group's end-of-year party. But Joel wasn't just being shunned. He was being relentlessly, viciously bullied. On one occasion, he even had a pair of underwear shoved into his mouth.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
Well, considering everything Joel went through in high school, he must have been relieved when he graduated in 1977. Now 18, it was time for a fresh start, and Joel signed up for a local community college. But there was something else he wanted to do before he began. Have sex.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
Joel had been interested in women for a while, but considering his social standing in high school, dating wasn't exactly an option. So he decided to try something else. Paying for it. Before starting college, he drove into New York City and hired a sex worker. Finally, after years of being bullied, he was getting what he wanted. And even better, he was the one in control.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
He was able to let his fantasies run wild. Specifically, he liked to think about overpowering and strangling the women, just like in his favorite movie, Frenzy. He didn't act on that fantasy at that point, but just the thought of it gave him an emotional rush, and it's one he chased again and again from that moment on.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
After that first encounter, Joel started hiring sex workers so often it became like an addiction. He spent so much time with them, he only finished a single course during his first year of community college.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
Well, maybe he realized he needed a change of scenery, because in the fall of 1978, Joel transferred to a state university in Brockport, New York, over 400 miles from Long Island. And it seemed to do him some good. While he was there, Joel started dating a fellow student. However, it wasn't enough to fill the void in his heart.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
Joel was still depressed and lonely, and it took a toll on the relationship. Eventually, things fizzled out. Joel took the breakup hard. A friend who knew him at the time said, quote, he was in love with her. When that relationship ended, he talked about her for a very long time. Following that failed relationship, Joel tried to get his life back on track a few times.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
Over the course of several years, he was in and out of college. It never stuck, though. He couldn't break his addiction to hiring sex workers or the fantasy of choking the life out of them. Those thoughts became so overwhelming, Joel finally gave up on academics in 1984 when he was 25. He ended up back in Long Island with his parents, working odd jobs to support his secret addiction.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
Then in 1986, when Joel was 27, things got even worse. That year, Joel's adoptive father, Bernard, was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Despite their strained relationship, Joel still really cared about his dad, and the experience was extremely hard on him. Joel later said his father's struggle with the disease was tough to watch.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
During this emotional time, Joel said his father would hug his mother and sister, but not him, because according to Joel, he was still a disappointment. Even so, Joel remained by Bernard's side as his father's health deteriorated. By early 1987, Bernard couldn't bear the pain anymore. He overdosed on barbiturates and died.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
This is Mind of a Serial Killer, a Crime House original. Every Monday, we'll be taking deep dives into the minds of history's most notorious serial killers and violent offenders. And if you're interested in more true crime stories from This Week in History, check out Crime House The Show.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
At the funeral, Joel gave a eulogy that reportedly brought the mourners to tears. In a poignant moment, he said, quote, "'Though my father did not give me life, he gave me love.'"
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
Even though Joel was still grieving, Bernard's death seemed to take some weight off Joel's shoulders. And for a brief time after his father's passing, Joel's life took a turn for the better. He'd always enjoyed gardening, and in 1988, he started taking horticulture classes at the New York State College of Technology. For the first time, Joel managed to succeed at something.
Killer Minds: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers & Murderers
Joel the Ripper: Joel Rifkin 1
The 29-year-old got straight A's in his first year of the program and landed an internship at a local arboretum in early 1989. During his time there, he developed a crush on one of his fellow interns. Unfortunately for him, she didn't feel the same way. And with that, all the emotional progress Joel had made over the past year vanished. Joel felt ashamed, humiliated and most of all angry.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
After Patty, Bill, and Emily made their getaway, they ditched the van and stole a couple different cars to cover their tracks. But just in case the police were onto them, they decided to lay low at a motel near Disneyland. That decision saved their lives. They didn't know it at the time, but the LAPD had found the SLA's hideout.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
One day after the Mel's Sporting Goods debacle, the police surrounded the safe house. The standoff ended in a gunfight and the house caught fire. All six SLA members who were inside were killed. Patty, Bill, and Emily watched the destruction live on television from their motel. After that, the three of them went even further underground.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
By November 1974, about five months after the SLA's safe house was burned down, Katherine and Randolph Hearst hadn't heard any news from their daughter. It seems like they may have given up on ever getting her back. Around that time, the Hursts withdrew their $50,000 reward for Patty's safe return.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
Meanwhile, Patty, Bill, and Emily were quietly rebuilding the SLA, raising funds and recruiting new members. By the following April, they were running out of resources, so they turned back to a tried-and-true method of getting some cash, a bank robbery. On April 21, 1975, Patty, Bill, Emily, and another SLA comrade held up a bank in Carmichael, California.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
During the robbery, an innocent 42-year-old woman named Myrna Opshall was shot and killed, allegedly by Emily. The SLA managed to get away with $15,000, but the heist put them back on the authorities' radar. Patty and the others were able to hide for a few more months, but in September 1975, the FBI identified two of their safe houses in San Francisco.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
And on the 18th of that month, the authorities made their move. At one house, the FBI arrested three SLA members, including Bill and Emily Harris. They found Patty an hour later at the second safe house, 19 months after she was taken from her apartment, she was finally in custody.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
Now it was time to settle the question everyone had been wondering ever since Patty declared her allegiance to the SLA. Whose side was she really on? Initially, she seemed to be loyal to the SLA. When Patty was first arrested, she described her occupation as, quote, urban guerrilla. But once Patty was reunited with her family, things started to change.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
Here at Crime House, we know none of this would be possible without you, our community. Please support us by rating, reviewing, and following Crime House The Show wherever you get your podcasts. And for ad-free and early access to Crime House The Show, plus exciting bonus content, subscribe to Crime House Plus on Apple Podcasts. Once again, this week's theme is notorious kidnapping cases.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
The Hursts hired a top-of-the-line defense team for their daughter's upcoming trial and were adamant that she was a victim. When the trial began, the defense's version of Patty's captivity was horrifying. They claimed she'd been kept in a closet for days, blindfolded. Then she was repeatedly shoved in a garbage can so the SLA could move her from one safe house to another.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
According to the defense, Patty's days were filled with the SLA preaching about their cause and torture. She reported being sleep deprived, raped, and threatened. She claimed that nothing she did was her choice. However, the jury didn't see it that way. In March 1976, more than two years after Patty Hearst was kidnapped, she was found guilty of armed robbery.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
She got a seven-year sentence, but only ended up serving two. Bill and Emily Harris were both found guilty of kidnapping and served eight years in prison. Patty eventually received a full pardon for her part in the SLA's crime spree by President Bill Clinton. She went on to move past her ordeal, marrying a member of her security team and starting a family.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
To this day, the debate continues over what Patty's experience with the SLA really was like. Bill Harris claims that while Patty was never a full convert to the SLA's cause, it was her decision to stay with the group. He maintains that she was treated well and that her version of events came from a need to protect herself at trial.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
Whatever the truth is, the fact remains that Patty didn't choose to be kidnapped. The SLA put their own so-called noble causes ahead of a young woman's life. And because of that, Patty Hearst's life was changed forever. Up next, another kidnapping story that dominated the headlines, and a moment from this week in 2003 that signaled a turning point in the infamous case of Elizabeth Smart.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
On February 3rd, 2003, Ed and Lois Smart called a press conference in their hometown of Salt Lake City, Utah. About seven months earlier, their 14-year-old daughter Elizabeth had been abducted from the Smart's home in the middle of the night. Since then, the investigation had gone nowhere. But Ed and Lois felt like the police weren't doing everything they could to find Elizabeth.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
There was a crucial piece of information the authorities hadn't shared with the public. And if they wouldn't, the smarts would. During their press conference, Ed and Lois displayed a sketch of a middle-aged man. He had short, wavy hair, hollow cheekbones, and light-colored, almost haunting eyes. According to them, this was the man who'd taken their daughter.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
The kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart had a huge impact on the Salt Lake City community and the entire nation. It was the sort of thing that just didn't seem possible. The Smarts were a big, tight-knit religious family who lived in an affluent neighborhood. Elizabeth's parents, Ed and Lois, had six kids, two girls and four boys. The Smarts practiced Mormonism, which was common where they lived.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
About half the population of Salt Lake City was Mormon. That meant a lot of people, including Elizabeth and her family, felt like they lived in a safe, like-minded community bubble. But bubbles are notoriously easy to burst. The night of June 4th, 2002, Lois Smart was feeling a bit distracted. She burned some potatoes while cooking and opened a kitchen window to air it out.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
When the family went to sleep, she forgot to shut the window. That night, 14-year-old Elizabeth and her 9-year-old sister, Mary Catherine, read the book Ella Enchanted in the bed they shared together. After a while, they drifted off to sleep. When Elizabeth woke up, it was still dark. She was disoriented but instantly knew what had woken her. There was a cold knife pressed against her throat.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
We'll start today's episode in 1974, when Patty Hearst was ripped from her life of privilege and taken hostage by a group of radical militants. Then we'll skip forward to 2003, when Elizabeth Smart's parents turned their 14-year-old daughter's kidnapping case on its head by publicly sharing information the police had kept to themselves. Both cases made headlines around the nation, even the world.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
A male voice told Elizabeth to get out of bed and threatened to kill her and her family if she tried anything. Elizabeth could feel her sister sleeping next to her and was terrified of what the man would do to Mary Catherine if Elizabeth screamed. So she let the intruder lead her out of her room, then through the front door and into the night.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
Elizabeth didn't know it, but the commotion had actually woken Mary Catherine up. She was so scared of what he'd said, she couldn't bring herself to get out of bed. Finally, after a few hours had passed, she felt safe enough to run to her parents' room and tell them what happened. She told them, Elizabeth's gone. Lois and Ed assumed Mary Catherine meant Elizabeth had just left the girls' room.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
They thought maybe the girls had gotten into a fight or something, and Elizabeth was sleeping elsewhere in the house. But the moment Lois saw the kitchen window she'd accidentally left open, she knew something terrible had happened. The screen was cut, which meant someone had broken in and kidnapped her daughter. They called the police, who arrived by 4 a.m.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
It's unclear exactly how long this was after the kidnapping, but at least a few hours had gone by. By this point, Elizabeth's captor had driven her deep into the mountains surrounding Salt Lake City before stopping. They'd been hiking uphill for a long time, when at some point, Elizabeth realized she recognized him.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
The previous fall, her parents had hired him off the street to do some odd jobs around the house. He called himself Emmanuel. In reality, he was 49-year-old Brian David Mitchell. Elizabeth's kidnapping was the beginning of a twisted mission he'd concocted. Brian thought he was a prophet and was destined to have multiple wives. And Brian had decided Elizabeth would be wife number two.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
But Elizabeth didn't know any of that as she walked into the darkness. After hours of hiking, they reached a campsite on the side of a mountain. There was a tent and a few tarps on the ground. A woman in a headdress and long robe was there, waiting for them. This was 57-year-old Wanda Barzee, Brian's first wife.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
Wanda and Brian put Elizabeth in the tent, forced her to undress, and then Wanda oversaw a marriage ceremony between Brian and Elizabeth. We don't know what the ceremony entailed, but we do know what horrors happened in its aftermath. Brian raped Elizabeth, then chained her to a tree by the ankle with a metal cable. Elizabeth described the days that followed as full of boredom, hunger, and rape.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
She was sometimes kept in a hole with a board over it. Brian threatened her often, saying he would kill her family if she tried to run away. He withheld food and forced her to drink alcohol and look at porn. He seemed to believe wearing her down would eventually purify her. Meanwhile, the authorities were desperately trying to find Elizabeth.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
In the first two weeks after she went missing, the police conducted an astounding 850 searches for her. They deployed everything at their disposal. Bloodhounds, helicopters, infrared cameras. Despite all those resources, it was her own family who came closest to finding her. During one search, Elizabeth's uncle came so close to Brian's campsite, she could hear him shouting her name.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
But before Elizabeth could do anything, Brian threatened to kill her if she made any noise. The whole time, Elizabeth was only a few miles from home. It made her captivity all the more agonizing, especially when she heard her own search party looking for her. Three days after she was kidnapped, Elizabeth could hear her uncle's voice in the woods, calling her name.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
Brian heard it too, and told her not to make a sound. He warned her that if anyone found their campsite, he would kill them and Elizabeth. Elizabeth kept quiet. Eventually, her uncle's voice faded into the distance. In those first few days, the police were also looking into anyone associated with the Smart family.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
They were stories of fear, resilience, uncertainty, and changed the way we think about safety forever. It was around 9 p.m. on February 4, 1974. Nineteen-year-old college student Patty Hurst was at her apartment in Berkeley, California, with her fiancé, 26-year-old Stephen Weed. As they settled in for the night, there was an unexpected knock on the door. Stephen and Patty found it odd.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
It turned out Ed and Lois frequently hired men who were down on their luck to work on their house. And less than 10 days after Elizabeth's kidnapping, they believed they were zeroing in on a suspect. Unfortunately, it wasn't Brian Mitchell. In the aftermath of 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart's kidnapping in June 2002, the police zeroed in on a suspect.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
Unfortunately, it wasn't Elizabeth's actual kidnapper, Brian Mitchell. It was one of the Smart's handymen, 48-year-old Richard Ricci, as a suspicious person because of his violent criminal background. There wasn't any evidence immediately tying him to the kidnapping, but four weeks after Elizabeth was taken, Richard was arrested for stealing from some of the families in the neighborhood.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
The police also found something else when they questioned him. Apparently, he revealed he'd driven hundreds of miles around the time Elizabeth was kidnapped, but he wouldn't say why or where he went. It all sounded suspicious. The problem was, Elizabeth's little sister, Mary Catherine, had actually seen her sister's abductor, and she didn't think it was Richard.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
Of course, she was right, but Richard seemed too likely a culprit. Despite what Mary Catherine said, the police continued to focus on Richard as a suspect. By the end of July 2002, Elizabeth had been trapped at Brian's campsite for around 50 days. The police weren't any closer to finding her, and around this time, Brian decided he was going to take another wife.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
According to Elizabeth, she accidentally mentioned she had a 15-year-old cousin. Brian latched onto this piece of information and decided to go after her. On July 24, 2002, Brian went down to Salt Lake City to kidnap her. But it didn't go off as smoothly as Elizabeth's abduction had. One of the kids in the house woke up when Brian tried cutting the screen to a bedroom window.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
The police were called immediately, but Brian left before anyone saw him. Even though this happened to another member of the Smart family, and it also involved a window screen getting cut, the police didn't think this crime was related to Elizabeth's kidnapping.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
The Smart family was going through a living nightmare, and it got worse in early August when the police's number one suspect, Richard Ricci, died from a brain aneurysm. Seemingly, any answers about their daughter's whereabouts died with him. It seemed like Lois and Ed had different coping mechanisms during this difficult time. Lois focused on their kids and keeping the family functioning.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
Meanwhile, Ed decided to keep the investigation moving. He did media appearances and tried to get his daughter's face and name out there however he could. He did a good job, too. They got thousands of tips from all over the country in response to Elizabeth's story. Soon, she was a household name. Elizabeth didn't know about any of it. She was busy just trying to survive.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
After her cousin's attempted abduction, she decided to change tactics with Brian. Instead of fighting him, she tried cooperating. Her strategy worked. Brian decided to finally unchain Elizabeth, and eventually, he even took her and Wanda into the city to scavenge for food. During one of these excursions, he actually took her to a party, hiding her face with a veil.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
There's a haunting photo someone took at this event. It shows Elizabeth concealed in white robes, standing beside Brian, surrounded by people. She didn't scream or run. She was still too terrified to risk it. At some point before the fall of 2002, Brian took Elizabeth and Wanda into town again.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
He was thinking about moving to San Diego, so they went to the library to look at maps and find the best route to get there. Brian dressed Elizabeth in a robe and veil that covered her face and kept her by his side. This time, someone noticed them and got an uneasy feeling. They called the police, and an officer showed up at the library. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
It was getting late, and they weren't expecting anyone. Berkeley was a college town, though. It was entirely possible that it was just a friend dropping by. So Stephen went to answer the door, Patty following behind him. They didn't have a window or peephole to see who it was, so Stephen cracked the door. It was a woman neither of them knew.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. . . . . . ., en P. P. P. P. P. P. P. P. P. P,實 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , a in
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
The stranger claimed she'd accidentally backed her car into theirs and asked if she could use their phone. Patty wasn't happy about that. She turned and headed back towards the living room, leaving Stephen to figure it out. A moment later, there was a loud noise as the woman and two men barged their way into the apartment. They were all carrying weapons.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
They beat Stephen until he was barely conscious, then tied Patty up and carried her outside. After a brief struggle, they forced her into the trunk of her car and sped away. Patty had no idea what they wanted or where they were taking her, but she was pretty sure she knew why she'd been targeted. Her name. Patty belonged to one of the world's richest and most powerful families.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
Her grandfather, William Randolph Hearst, was the founder of a vast media empire. The company is still wildly successful today, generating billions of dollars every year. Patty had been raised accordingly, growing up in a mansion outside of San Francisco with her parents and four sisters.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
But even though being a Hearst came with a lot of perks, it also came with a lot of expectations, and Patty wasn't all that interested in following the blueprint her family set out for her. She was a bit of a rebel, pushing against the high society behavior and expectations demanded by her mother, Catherine.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
And although Patty's father, Randolph, appreciated his daughter's verve, her teachers weren't as amused. Patty quickly wore out her welcome at the various upper-class schools she went to, and by the time she graduated high school, she'd gone to five different institutions. Her final one proved to have the biggest impact on her. It was there that she met her soon-to-be fiancé, Steve.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
Like the rest of Patty's life so far, the match wasn't without controversy. Steve wasn't a fellow student, He was Patty's math teacher and seven years her elder. Safe to say Patty's parents didn't approve of their relationship, but she didn't seem to care what her parents thought because she and Steve moved in together and enrolled at nearby UC Berkeley.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
And then they got engaged in December 1973 when Patty was 19. Even though Randolph and Catherine weren't thrilled, they still printed an engagement announcement in the San Francisco papers. That's where 29-year-old Bill Harris first saw the name Patty Hearst. Bill was a postal worker and member of a Bay Area militant group called the Symbionese Liberation Army, or SLA.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
They considered themselves guerrilla warriors and wanted to get rid of capitalism and start a war with the government. Their motto was, quote, "...death to the fascist insect that preys upon the life of the people." After Bill saw the engagement announcement, he had an idea. Two members of the SLA had recently been arrested for a shooting in Oakland.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
Bill thought the group could use a high-profile captive like Patty to negotiate a prisoner swap. As an added bonus, Patty would be a great metaphor for their cause. An absurdly wealthy family like the Hursts were the epitome of capitalism. By kidnapping one of their daughters, the SLA would make headlines and, presumably, a lot of money.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
After reading the engagement announcement, Bill went to the Berkeley campus and was able to find Patty's address. Over the next month or two, Bill and the SLA found out that despite being from an important, well-known family, Patty didn't have any security. So, on the night of February 4th, 1974, Bill and two other SLA members abducted Patty from her apartment.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
After shoving her in their car, they drove to their safe house and locked her in a closet. Like Bill predicted, the kidnapping made headlines immediately. Along with Steve, multiple people around the apartment complex had witnessed the kidnapping. They went to the authorities, and it wasn't long before the media found out about it.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
During the week of February 3, 1974, 19-year-old Patty Hearst was taken from her home by a violent group of self-described revolutionaries. Almost three decades later, in 2003, another shocking abduction haunted the nation when the composite sketch of 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart's abductor was released to the public.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
The next day, February 5th, the media converged on the Hursts' sprawling home outside San Francisco, trying to get a sound bite from her panic-stricken parents. But the Hursts were in the dark, too. Thankfully, they only had to wait one more day to find out what happened to their daughter. On February 6th, the SLA contacted a Berkeley radio station by mail.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
In their letter, which was written in the style of an arrest warrant for Patty, the SLA took responsibility for the kidnapping. However, they didn't make a ransom demand. That came six days later on February 12th. But the SLA didn't ask for a prisoner swap like they'd initially intended to. They didn't ask for money either, at least not for them.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
In exchange for Patty's safe return, the SLA wanted the Hurst family to invest millions of dollars into a food program for Americans living in poverty. To prove Patty was safe, the SLA also included a voice message from her via tape. She told her parents that she was okay and urged them to listen to the SLA's demands.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
Catherine and Randolph were prepared to do as they asked, but the SLA's request was a logistical nightmare. The Hursts had to create a multi-million dollar food distribution plan from scratch and quickly. But they were willing to do whatever it took to get their daughter back.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
And on February 22nd, 10 days after the SLA's request, the Hursts managed to launch a food giveaway program called People in Need. It was an unmitigated disaster. So many people showed up to the first day of distributions that it descended into riots. Making matters worse, the SLA refused to let Patty go unless things improved.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
As the Hursts were trying to organize their program over the next few weeks, the SLA continued to send them recordings from Patty. She didn't sound impressed with their efforts to free her. In one recording from March 1974, she said, quote, I don't believe that you're doing anything at all. But Catherine and Randolph refused to give up.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
They managed to smooth things out over the course of the next month. By March 26, 1974, the Hursts had spent $2 million and given away over 150,000 bags of food. It seemed like this time they'd done enough to secure Patty's release, and it appeared the SLA would honor their word.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
On April 2nd, almost two months after Patty was kidnapped, they promised to send more details about her release within 72 hours. But the following day, the Hearsts received an alarming recording. Apparently, there'd been a change of plans, but not from the SLA. From Patty. In the recording, she called herself Tanya and claimed that she was no longer the SLA's prisoner because she'd joined them.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
The Hursts could hardly believe it. Patty had never been very political, and now she was suddenly joining the group that had kidnapped her? It just didn't make sense. They were certain that Patty wasn't in control of the situation. she had to be speaking under duress. But on April 15th, 1974, 12 days after they heard that tape, everything changed.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
That day, five armed members of the SLA charged into a bank in San Francisco and stole $10,000. As the group held up the tellers at gunpoint, the bank's surveillance system was recording their every move. When the authorities reviewed the footage, they were shocked to see a familiar face among the robbers. It was the now 20-year-old Patty Hurst. She certainly didn't seem like a captive.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
Today, we'll dive into both of these notorious true crime cases, making this week's theme kidnappings. Welcome to Crime House The Show. I'm Vanessa Richardson. Every Monday, we'll be revisiting notorious crimes from this week in history. From serial killers to mysterious disappearances or murders, every episode will explore two true crime cases that share a common theme.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
Patty was armed with a gun and was a full participant in the heist. In case there were any doubts, she sent out another recording after the robbery. She said she was, quote, "...a soldier in the People's Army." No matter what her parents believed, Patty's case changed at that moment. All of a sudden, the authorities were less interested in rescuing her and more interested in arresting her.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
And they were willing to do whatever it took to catch her. On April 15, 1974, the Symbionese Liberation Army robbed a bank in San Francisco. Patty Hearst, who they'd kidnapped a little over two months earlier, helped them do it. And if she was to be believed, she'd done it voluntarily. The authorities took her at her word.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
Less than 10 days later, the FBI launched an investigation into the SLA and released a wanted poster with several of its members. Patty was on it. Shortly after the release of the wanted poster, the SLA moved their safe house to another neighborhood in San Francisco. Before long, they moved yet again to a safe house hundreds of miles away in South Los Angeles.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
The LAPD didn't know the SLA was there until a few of them attracted some unwanted attention. In May 1974, about a month after the bank robbery, Patty went on a supply run with one of her kidnappers, Bill Harris, and his wife, Emily. Bill and Emily headed into a Mel's Sporting Goods store while Patty waited in the group's van.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
Apparently, Bill and Emily tried to shoplift, or at least the store clerk thought they did, and chased them outside. Patty could see the confrontation from her vantage point in the van. She decided to help Bill and Emily out by grabbing a gun and firing 10 rounds into the storefront. The distraction worked. Amidst the chaos, Bill and Emily were able to get away and jump into the van.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Crime House True Crime Stories": A Crime House Original
If anyone still had hope that Patty was just playing along with the SLA, this incident all but squashed it. If Patty had let Bill and Emily be arrested, she would have become a free woman. She could have even made a run for it while they went into the store. Instead, she decided to prove her loyalty to the SLA, and now the authorities would definitely be after her.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
To find a sense of stability, a lot of people looked to spiritual gurus. With so much uncertainty in the world, it was reassuring to put your faith in someone who offered a sense of control over the chaos. But sometimes, that guidance turned out to be dangerous.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
Whether or not Charles' improved behavior was for real, he actually kept it up after his release. Now 19 years old, Charles moved to McMecan, West Virginia, bouncing between his family there. Charles was well-behaved. He got a job mucking out stables at a horse track and even met a girl, Rosalie Willis. They quickly started going steady, and on January 13, 1955, they got married.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
Charles and Rosalie settled into a comfortable life together. He made a few friends and even learned guitar. It wasn't long before Rosalie was expecting their first child. But adding to their family was expensive, and Charles was struggling to make ends meet. So he turned to what he did best, stealing. He mostly stole cars and sold them in other states.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
But the extra money wasn't enough to give Charles the life he wanted. By the summer of 1955, he'd had enough of West Virginia. He wanted to go west to California. His mother Kathleen had moved there, and Charles figured he and Rosalie could stay with her. So he stole another car, and they headed to Los Angeles to move in with Kathleen.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
Charles kept driving the vehicle around for months after their arrival, but in September 1955, a cop ran his plate and realized it was stolen. Charles was terrified of being locked up. The second he got the chance, he and Rosalie skipped town. They ended up in Indianapolis, where Rosalie gave birth to Charles Manson Jr. on April 10, 1956.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
But the new parents didn't have much time to enjoy their new baby. Just four days later, the cops caught up to them, and Charles was dragged back to California. And this time, there was no escaping.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
Many of those gurus were self-proclaimed, and oftentimes more interested in boosting their own fortunes than providing the support they promised. And when it came to these false prophets, none were more dangerous than Charles Manson. Charles promised his followers the world. As long as they did what he said, they'd be rewarded with eternal happiness beyond their wildest dreams.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
In April 1956, 21-year-old Charles Manson was arrested after trying to evade car theft charges. He was sentenced to three years at Terminal Island Penitentiary in San Pedro, California, just a few miles south of LA. Meanwhile, his wife Rosalie and their newborn baby returned to California and moved back in with Charles' mom so they could be nearby.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
At Terminal Island, Charles interacted with all sorts of convicts. Unlike his time at reform school, though, he didn't need to worry about asserting his dominance over them. If he didn't start any trouble, there wouldn't be any trouble. Instead, he decided to use his time to learn from his fellow convicts, specifically the pimps.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
They told Charles how they recruited vulnerable young women, then controlled them by separating them from their families. To make sure the women didn't try to leave, the pimps would give them just the right mixture of love bombing and fear. Most people would find that advice horrifying. Charles found it fascinating.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
Do you think there's actually some part of him that has a desire to be a twisted sort of provider for them?
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
But there were some things in life Charles couldn't control. At first, Rosalie would bring Charles Jr. with her to visit the prison every week. Then, about a year into Charles' sentence, she stopped showing up. Rosalie had met someone else and was moving on. In June 1957, she and Charles were officially divorced. After that, Rosalie and the baby were completely out of his life.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
Yeah, they had given Charles a sense of purpose. But now that they were gone, he needed to find a new direction in his life. It came in the form of a self-help guru named Dale Carnegie, the author of How to Win Friends and Influence People. Carnegie offered self-improvement classes at Terminal Island, and Charles was allowed to join one. He took to it like a fish to water.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
Carnegie's book contained advice that would become especially important to Charles. He specifically latched onto the phrase, quote, "...let the other fellow feel that the idea is his," end quote. The course seemed to spark new life in Charles. Like his final stint in reform school, he became a model inmate, and on September 30, 1958, he was released early for good behavior.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
His disciples were all too eager to obey. They followed his every order without question. even if it meant committing murder. The human mind is fascinating. It controls how we think, how we feel, how we love, and how we hate. And sometimes the mind drives us to do something truly unspeakable. This is Killer Minds, formerly known as Mind of a Serial Killer, a Crime House original.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
Once again, he had the opportunity to take his life in any direction. But he couldn't seem to hold down a job. He was too focused on trying to become a pimp. It didn't go well. After his release, he stayed in L.A. and managed to recruit a couple young women. But he didn't follow his prison mentor's advice because he let them stay in touch with their families.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
Almost immediately, one of the women's fathers complained about Charles to the police. Charles managed to talk his way out of it, and it wasn't long before he found himself in more hot water. On May 1, 1959, 24-year-old Charles got caught after he stole a U.S. Treasury check from a mailbox and tried to cash it.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
He was only able to avoid jail time because one of his few remaining sex workers pretended to be pregnant with his child. And they convinced Charles' parole officer to intervene. Instead, he got a 10-year suspended sentence that let him remain a free man. But in what had now become a predictable pattern, Charles didn't use the opportunity to better his life.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
Instead, he dug in further, continuing to work as a pimp and stealing cars. However, Charles wasn't exactly a criminal mastermind. It didn't take long for the authorities to catch on to him, and he was arrested barely a year after being released from Terminal Island. His suspended sentence was revoked, and he was sent to a prison off the coast of Washington state to serve out the rest of his time.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
Thirteen months after his release from Terminal Island, 25-year-old Charles was arrested again.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
Well, one thing was for sure. Charles treated this last incarceration as another learning opportunity. This time, he dove into the Church of Scientology, which had been founded just a few years earlier. But like the Dale Carnegie classes, Charles saw it less as an opportunity for self-improvement and more as a tool for manipulation.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
He thought he could use the tenets of Scientology to appeal to potential sex work recruits, but he also used his new religion to placate the prison's staff. They liked it when inmates showed a positive attitude and were encouraged by Charles' interest in Scientology. Around this time, Charles also became interested in a science fiction book called Stranger in a Strange Land.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
It's about a man raised on Mars who starts his own religion on Earth. The character also uses his mind to destroy his enemies, engages in group sex, and becomes an immortal spirit. These ideas, particularly the group sex, would become a major factor in Charles' ideology down the road.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
In addition to learning to manipulate people, Charles used his time in prison to rekindle the guitar hobby he'd started back in West Virginia. One of the prison's most notorious convicts, former outlaw Alvin Creepy Karpis, was also a talented musician, and he was happy to give Charles lessons, although he didn't think his new student was very good.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
Every Monday and Thursday, we'll be taking deep dives into the minds of history's most notorious serial killers and murderers. The show is still the same, the name just changed. And if you're interested in more true crime stories from This Week in History, check out CrimeHouse The Show.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
But the biggest musical influence on Charles during this time was the Beatles. After hearing them on the radio, Charles became obsessed with becoming a famous musician himself. Until now, music had always been a fun hobby.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
Charles' obsession with music helped him stay out of trouble, though, and on March 21, 1967, he was released early. Left with nowhere to go, he called a former prisoner he'd been friendly with. He invited 32-year-old Charles to come stay with him in Berkeley, California, in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
As one of the hippie movement's hotspots, it was the ideal place for an aspiring musician like Charles to hone his craft. But to Charles Manson, the Bay Area must have seemed like another planet. Until this point, he'd spent over half his life, and almost all of his adult years, in some kind of correctional facility.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
Now, he was set loose in the streets of Berkeley, the epicenter of the counterculture revolution that was sweeping the nation. It was home to people from all walks of life, from the Black Panthers to student protests at the University of California, to people just looking to express themselves freely. That included aspiring musicians like Charles, which presented a problem.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
Every street corner was claimed, and every club was booked, so making a living playing guitar wasn't going to be easy. And Charles wasn't interested in working a typical blue-collar job in the meantime. He couldn't crash on his friend's couch forever, though, so if Charles was going to make his dreams come true, he needed to find somewhere to stay long-term that didn't require him to pay rent.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
And thanks to what he'd learned in prison, he knew exactly how to do it. In March of 1967, 32-year-old Charles Manson arrived in Berkeley, California, with dreams of becoming a famous musician. But the reality of that dream quickly set in. If Charles was going to stick around, he needed somewhere to stay that wasn't a fellow ex-convict's couch.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
And it wasn't long before he found the perfect opportunity. Shortly after arriving in Berkeley, Charles was on the University of California's campus when he noticed someone standing out in the crowd, a 23-year-old assistant librarian named Mary Brunner. Unlike most of the people in Berkeley, Mary was very conservative, and she dressed like it.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
Every episode covers multiple cases, unified by the same theme, so every week you get something a little different. At Crime House, we want to express our gratitude to you, our community, for making this possible. Please support us by rating, reviewing, and following Killer Minds wherever you get your podcasts. Your feedback truly matters.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
Charles sensed she was lonely in the sea of hippies, and they struck up a conversation. That was all Charles needed to sink his hooks into her. One of Charles Manson's enduring mysteries is how he convinced people to do such awful things for him. But when it came to Mary Brunner, all he had to do was be nice to her. He sang her some songs, complimented her dog, Thank you. Thank you.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
And to enhance your killer mind's listening experience, subscribe to CrimeHouse Plus on Apple Podcasts. You'll get every episode ad-free, and instead of having to wait for each episode of a two-part series, you'll get access to both at once, plus exciting CrimeHouse bonus content. I'm Vanessa Richardson.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
This is the first of two episodes on Charles Manson. Some call him a cult leader. Some call him a serial killer. Some wonder if he can even be considered a killer at all. Because even though he went to prison for murder, Charles didn't deliver the fatal blow to any of his victims. His followers were his weapon of choice.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
. . . . . ., en P P P P P P P P P 100實 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , a la in in in in in in in in in in in in in in in in in in in and.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
Ch P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P�à boà boà boà boà boà boà boà boà boà boà boà boà boà boà boà boà boà boà boà boà boà boà boà boà boà boà boà boà boà boà boà boà boà boà boà boà boà boà boà boà
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
, , , , ,, P. P. P. P. P,實, ac , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Laboratory P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P la essay la essay la essay la� gi,G gi,G gi,G gi,G,G,G,G,G,G,G,G,G,G,G,G,G,G,G,G,G,G,G,G,G,G,G,G,G,G,G,G,G,G,G,G,G,G,G,G,G,G,G,G,G,G, ,G, ,G,G, ,G, ,G, ,
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
, , , , , , the P P P P P P P P men實 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , a P P P P P P P P P
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
By early 1968, there were almost 20 people in the Manson family. Money wasn't a huge concern for them, they had plenty of places to stay, and there were so many of them, they could scrounge up enough from panhandling to get by. With this many people at his disposal, Charles was more interested in using his followers to help him make connections.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
In today's episode, we'll dig into Charles' early life and the circumstances that led him to form the notorious Manson family cult. Next time, we'll follow Charles' desperate search for purpose, his descent into madness, and the tragic murders that still haunt society today. And as always, we'll be asking the question, what makes a killer?
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
He liked to send the girls into the city to make friends with anyone who could introduce him to the right people. And sometime in the spring of 1968, it paid off when a couple of them befriended Dennis Wilson, the drummer of the Beach Boys. They introduced him to Charles, who wormed his way into Dennis' good graces.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
Within a few days, the entire Manson family was getting comfortable at Dennis' large estate on Sunset Boulevard. Dennis loved Charles. He wasn't interested in joining the family, but he was more than happy to introduce Charles to a few friends in the music business. One of them was a young producer named Terry Melcher. Terry was a verified hitmaker.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
Signing with him was almost a guaranteed success. But even though Charles came highly recommended to Terry, he didn't just sign people as a favor, and Terry wasn't interested in Charles' music. Dennis Wilson wasn't much of a resource anymore, either. After a few months, he'd started to tire of the family's constant presence. What began as a fun novelty had become an exhausting chore.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
Charles was extremely demanding and too much to deal with. When Dennis' lease ended later that summer, he moved into a smaller place that couldn't accommodate the Manson family. Charles and his followers were back on their own, and his dreams of becoming a musician seemed farther away than ever.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
Dr. Ankles, do people like Charles tend to make excuses in situations like this? Are they capable of introspection and really understanding why someone's upset with them?
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
However Charles felt about getting kicked out of Dennis' place, he was certainly adaptable. He moved the family into Spahn Ranch, an old Western movie set outside of L.A. that had fallen into disrepair. In exchange for helping fix up the place, the ranch's elderly owner let them stay in the various shacks around the property for free.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, Charles was able to reassert control over the family. Dennis Wilson's house had been full of distractions. Now that they were more isolated out in the country, he could strengthen the hypnotic hold he had over his followers. He wanted more than a family. He wanted a cult. Thanks so much for listening.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
Come back next time for the conclusion of our series on Charles Manson and the terrifying murders he called Helter Skelter.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
And to enhance your listening experience, subscribe to CrimeHouse Plus on Apple Podcasts. You'll get every episode of Killer Minds ad-free, along with early access to each thrilling two-part series and exciting bonus content. Killer Minds is hosted by me, Vanessa Richardson, and Dr. Tristan Engels, and is a Crime House original powered by Pave Studios.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
From the moment he was born on November 12th, 1934, Charles Manson's life was driven by deception. His birth certificate listed Kathleen and William Manson as his parents. But for years, Charles had no idea that William wasn't his father. That honor most likely belonged to a con artist named Colonel Scott.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
This episode was brought to life by the Killer Minds team. Max Cutler, Ron Shapiro, Alex Benidon, Lori Marinelli, Natalie Pertsovsky, Sarah Camp, and Sheila Patterson. Of the many sources we used when researching this episode, the one we found the most credible and helpful was The Life and Times of Charles Manson by Jeff Gwynn. Thank you for listening.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
Colonel was Scott's given first name, but if people assumed he was in the Army, he didn't bother correcting them. That's how he caught Kathleen Maddox's attention at a dance club in Ironton, Ohio. He was 23. She was just 15. Kathleen was charmed by the older man she assumed was a military officer.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
So when she discovered she was pregnant sometime in the spring of 1934, Kathleen had no reason to doubt the colonel when he said he was being called away on duty. He promised he'd be back as soon as he could, but she never heard from him again. After a few months, Kathleen finally realized she'd been duped, and now she needed to find someone to help raise her soon-to-be newborn baby.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
That's when William Manson, who worked for a dry cleaning business, entered the picture. It's not really clear how the two of them met, but by the time Charles was born on November 12th, 1934, Kathleen and William were married. However, it doesn't seem either of them was all that interested in parenting. William wasn't around much, and neither was Kathleen.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
Most days, she dropped Charles off with her mom so she could go out drinking with her brother.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
So even if Charles' grandmother was a nurturing guardian, what kind of impact does it have on a child when they can tell their parents aren't that interested in raising them?
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
With all this going on, it didn't take Kathleen and William long to realize they weren't right for each other. Within two and a half years, they were divorced. After that, Kathleen turned to petty crime to get by. And on August 1st, 1939, when Charles was almost five, she was arrested after an unsuccessful robbery.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
Kathleen spent the next few years behind bars while young Charles was given to his aunt, uncle, and cousin who lived near the West Virginia prison where she was incarcerated.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
Mm-hmm. And it was a strict household on top of that, and Charles was frequently punished for breaking the rules. And he didn't have it much easier at school. He was small for his age and prone to mischief. That meant he drew the attention of bullies and received discipline from his teachers. It was a lot for a young boy to handle on his own.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
So when Kathleen was released from prison in 1942, eight-year-old Charles was over the moon. But, after a short period of good behavior from both of them, things went south. Kathleen had a hard time staying on the straight and narrow, and Charles took his cues from her. He stopped going to school and started stealing from local shops.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
By the time Kathleen finally decided to get her life on track in 1943, she couldn't control her son anymore. In 1947, when Charles was 12, she sent him to a reform school in Terre Haute, Indiana called the Jebeau School for Boys. Predictably, things didn't go well. Within 10 months, Charles had run away multiple times.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
We all want a little guidance in our lives. Whether it's a longtime mentor, a favorite teacher, or maybe even your weekly astrology chart, it's nice to have someone or something to rely on for advice when things get tough. That was especially true in the 1960s and 70s during the counterculture era. It was a chaotic time dominated by the Vietnam War and the protests against it.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
He alternated between going back to his family and living on his own, stealing to get by. When he inevitably got caught, he was sent to even stricter institutions. In 1949, at 13 years old, Charles found himself at a place called the Indiana Boys' School. And that's when his life became a living hell.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
It wasn't like things had been easy until this point, but at the Indiana Boys School, things took a tragically dark turn. According to Charles, he was sexually assaulted by some of his fellow students. And to make a horrifying situation even worse, it was apparently encouraged by a staff member.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
Now, it is important to note that Charles Manson was a notorious liar. And as author Jeff Gwynn pointed out in The Life and Times of Charles Manson, it's possible he was not being entirely truthful about the situation. But based on his later actions, it does seem like Charles experienced some kind of sexual abuse at the Indiana boys' school.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
So it wasn't surprising that Charles constantly tried to run away, to the tune of 18 times over the course of three years. And in February 1951, when Charles was 16, he got away from the Indiana Boys School for good. He and a couple other kids stole a car and decided to take it for a multi-state joyride, which got him in trouble with the federal authorities.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
Instead of sending Charles back to Indiana, he was placed in the federal system, first at a facility called the National Training School in Washington, D.C., and then the Natural Bridge Honor Camp in Virginia. This time, he was the one attacking others. In January 1952, Charles was caught sexually assaulting another boy while holding a blade to his throat.
Murder: True Crime Stories
Presenting "Killer Minds": A Crime House Original
After that, he was transferred to a high-security reform institution. With nowhere left to go, it seems like Charles realized he had to turn things around. Or at least pretend he did. He became such a model student that he was released early in 1954.
Serialously with Annie Elise
245: Introducing: CRIME HOUSE TRUE CRIME STORIES
Today, we'll dive into both of these notorious true crime cases, making this week's theme kidnappings. It was around 9 p.m. on February 4, 1974. Nineteen-year-old college student Patty Hurst was at her apartment in Berkeley, California, with her fiancé, 26-year-old Stephen Weed. As they settled in for the night, there was an unexpected knock on the door. Stephen and Patty found it odd.
Serialously with Annie Elise
245: Introducing: CRIME HOUSE TRUE CRIME STORIES
It was getting late, and they weren't expecting anyone. Berkeley was a college town, though. It was entirely possible that it was just a friend dropping by. So Stephen went to answer the door, Patty following behind him. They didn't have a window or peephole to see who it was, so Stephen cracked the door. It was a woman neither of them knew.
Serialously with Annie Elise
245: Introducing: CRIME HOUSE TRUE CRIME STORIES
The stranger claimed she'd accidentally backed her car into theirs and asked if she could use their phone. Patty wasn't happy about that. She turned and headed back towards the living room, leaving Stephen to figure it out. A moment later, there was a loud noise as the woman and two men barged their way into the apartment. They were all carrying weapons.
Serialously with Annie Elise
245: Introducing: CRIME HOUSE TRUE CRIME STORIES
They beat Steven until he was barely conscious, then tied Patty up and carried her outside. After a brief struggle, they forced her into the trunk of her car and sped away. Patty had no idea what they wanted or where they were taking her, but she was pretty sure she knew why she'd been targeted. Her name.
Serialously with Annie Elise
245: Introducing: CRIME HOUSE TRUE CRIME STORIES
The kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart had a huge impact on the Salt Lake City community and the entire nation. It was the sort of thing that just didn't seem possible. The Smarts were a big, tight-knit religious family who lived in an affluent neighborhood. Elizabeth's parents, Ed and Lois, had six kids, two girls and four boys. The night of June 4th, 2002, Lois Smart was feeling a bit distracted.
Serialously with Annie Elise
245: Introducing: CRIME HOUSE TRUE CRIME STORIES
She burned some potatoes while cooking and opened a kitchen window to air it out. When the family went to sleep, she forgot to shut the window. That night, 14-year-old Elizabeth and her 9-year-old sister, Mary Catherine, read the book Ella Enchanted in the bed they shared together. After a while, they drifted off to sleep. When Elizabeth woke up, it was still dark.
Serialously with Annie Elise
245: Introducing: CRIME HOUSE TRUE CRIME STORIES
She was disoriented, but instantly knew what had woken her. There was a cold knife pressed against her throat. A male voice told Elizabeth to get out of bed and threatened to kill her and her family if she tried anything. Elizabeth could feel her sister sleeping next to her and was terrified of what the man would do to marry Catherine if Elizabeth screamed.
Serialously with Annie Elise
245: Introducing: CRIME HOUSE TRUE CRIME STORIES
So she let the intruder lead her out of her room, then through the front door and into the night. Follow Crime House True Crime Stories, a Crime House Studios original, now. New episodes drop every Monday. Again, that's Crime House True Crime Stories. Follow now wherever you get your podcasts. And for early ad-free access, subscribe to Crime House Plus on Apple Podcasts.
Serialously with Annie Elise
245: Introducing: CRIME HOUSE TRUE CRIME STORIES
There are some true crime stories out there that we can never forget. Whether it happened yesterday or a century ago, the details stay with us, creating a lasting impression that never fades. On Crime House The Show, those are the stories we're telling. Every Monday, we'll tackle multiple true crime cases from that week in crime history, tied together by a theme.
Serialously with Annie Elise
245: Introducing: CRIME HOUSE TRUE CRIME STORIES
Think of us as your true crime calendar, telling you stories that occurred that week in true crime history. The murder of Gabby Petito, the Elizabeth Smart kidnapping, the Heaven's Gate mass suicide. These are just a few of the unbelievable events we'll be covering on Crime House The Show. Crime House The Show is a Crime House original powered by Pave Studios. New episodes drop every Monday.
Serialously with Annie Elise
245: Introducing: CRIME HOUSE TRUE CRIME STORIES
Follow wherever you get your podcasts. Check out this clip. During the week of February 3, 1974, 19-year-old Patty Hearst was taken from her home by a violent group of self-described revolutionaries. Almost three decades later, in 2003, another shocking abduction haunted the nation when the composite sketch of 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart's abductor was released to the public.
The Prosecutors
Killer Minds
Every Monday and Thursday, join us as we explore the psyches of the world's most frightening offenders. Killer Minds is a Crime House original. Find it wherever you get your podcasts. And now we're excited to share a clip of Killer Minds with you. Check it out. From the moment he was born on November 12th, 1934, Charles Manson's life was driven by deception.
The Prosecutors
Killer Minds
His birth certificate listed Kathleen and William Manson as his parents. But for years, Charles had no idea that William wasn't his father. That honor most likely belonged to a con artist named Colonel Scott. Colonel was Scott's given first name, but if people assumed he was in the Army, he didn't bother correcting them.
The Prosecutors
Killer Minds
That's how he caught Kathleen Maddox's attention at a dance club in Ironton, Ohio. He was 23. She was just 15. Kathleen was charmed by the older man she assumed was a military officer. So when she discovered she was pregnant sometime in the spring of 1934, Kathleen had no reason to doubt the colonel when he said he was being called away on duty.
The Prosecutors
Killer Minds
He promised he'd be back as soon as he could, but she never heard from him again. After a few months, Kathleen finally realized she'd been duped, and now she needed to find someone to help raise her soon-to-be newborn baby. That's when William Manson, who worked for a dry cleaning business, entered the picture.
The Prosecutors
Killer Minds
It's not really clear how the two of them met, but by the time Charles was born on November 12th, 1934, Kathleen and William were married. However, it doesn't seem either of them was all that interested in parenting. William wasn't around much, and neither was Kathleen. Most days, she dropped Charles off with her mom so she could go out drinking with her brother.
The Prosecutors
Killer Minds
Follow Killer Minds, a Crime House Studios original, now. New episodes drop every Monday and Thursday. Again, that's Killer Minds. Follow now wherever you get your podcasts. And for early ad-free access, subscribe to Crime House Plus on Apple Podcasts.
The Prosecutors
Killer Minds
You know the names, Jeffrey Dahmer, Charles Manson, John List, Eileen Wuornos. You may even know their stories. But on this show, you're going to get a peek inside the minds of these notorious serial killers and murderers. What drives a person to kill? Is it uncontrollable rage, overwhelming fear, unbearable jealousy? Or is it something deeper, something in the darkest corners of our psyche?
The Prosecutors
Killer Minds
Those are the questions we're asking on the new Crime House original, Killer Minds. I'm Vanessa Richardson. As the host of true crime podcasts like Crime House True Crime Stories, along with cults, female criminals, and serial killers, I've covered some of history's most notorious crimes. But what really fascinates me is the people behind them and trying to understand why they did it.