Female Criminals

This episode is part of our “Black Widows” series, where we detail how these female criminals lured their prey, and why they chose to kill. Tune every day this month for a new episode! Regular Female Criminals episodes will continue to run every Wednesday. Today, we’re discussing Lyda Southard, also known as Lyda Trueblood, a serial widow who used illness to disguise her crimes... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is part of our “Black Widows” series, where we detail how these female criminals lured their prey, and why they chose to kill. Tune every day this month for a new episode! Regular Female Criminals episodes will continue to run every Wednesday. Today, we’re discussing Stacey Castor. She appeared to be a resilient single mother, grieving the death of not one but two husbands. But when one detective suspected foul play in the death of David Castor, her poisonous true nature finally came to light... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After murdering Patrick O'Connor in 1849, Marie and Frederick Manning split up so they could more effectively evade the authorities. While Frederick fled to the Channel Islands, Marie ran to Scotland. However, though they initially tripped up the cops, the couple's luck would soon run out... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is part of our “Black Widows” series, where we detail how these female criminals lured their prey, and why they chose to kill. Tune every day this month for a new episode! Regular Female Criminals episodes will continue to run every Wednesday. Today, we’re discussing Elfriede Blauensteiner. Dubbed “Austria’s Black Widow,” Blauensteiner is believed to have killed over ten people with poison... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is part of our “Black Widows” series, where we detail how these female criminals lured their prey, and why they chose to kill. Tune in every day this month for a new episode! Regular Female Criminals episodes will continue to run every Wednesday. Today, we’re discussing Mary Ann Cotton, who repeatedly married and then killed her family, collecting their insurance money... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is part of our “Black Widows” series, where we detail how these female criminals lured their prey, and why they chose to kill. Tune every day this month for a new episode! Regular Female Criminals episodes will continue to run every Wednesday. Today, we’re discussing Betty Lou Beets. Betty was dubbed a “Black Widow” when police uncovered her fourth and fifth husbands’ dead bodies buried side by side... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is part of our “Black Widows” series, where we detail how these female criminals lured their prey, and why they chose to kill. Tune every day this month for a new episode! Regular Female Criminals episodes will continue to run every Wednesday. Today, we’re discussing Melissa Ann Shepard, otherwise known as the “Internet Black Widow.” Using an online dating profile, she lured multiple men into her web. Once they were trapped, Melissa made sure they couldn’t escape... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is part of our “Black Widows” series, where we detail how these female criminals lured their prey, and why they chose to kill. Tune every day this month for a new episode! Regular Female Criminals episodes will continue to run every Wednesday. Today, we’re discussing Judy Buenoano. She earned the nickname the “Black Widow” after murdering a number of boyfriends and close family members to cash in on their life insurance... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is part of our “Black Widows” series, where we detail how these female criminals lured their prey, and why they chose to kill. Tune every day this month for a new episode! Regular Female Criminals episodes will continue to run every Wednesday. Today, we’re discussing Chisako Kakehi, also known as “The Poison Lady.” For at least 10 years, Kakehi targeted wealthy older men. After winning their affection, she poisoned them and collected their life insurance... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the summer of 1849, 28-year-old Marie Manning invited her boyfriend, Patrick O'Connor, over for dinner. Unbeknownst to him, Marie was nursing a grudge. She believed that Patrick had cheated her out of money. So while Patrick expected food and merriment, the only thing on Marie's menu...was murder. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is part of our “Black Widows” series, where we detail how these female criminals lured their prey, and why they chose to kill. Tune every day this month for a new episode! Regular Female Criminals episodes will continue to run every Wednesday. Today, we’re discussing Narcy Novack. In 2009, her marriage to Florida millionaire Ben Novack Jr. ended in what most people would label a tragedy… Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is part of our “Black Widows” series, where we detail how these female criminals lured their prey, and why they chose to kill. Tune in every day this month for a new episode! Regular Female Criminals episodes will continue to run every Wednesday. Today, we’re discussing Mary Elizabeth Wilson. Dubbed the “Merry Widow of Windy Nook,” Mary’s lovers had a strange habit of suddenly dropping dead... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In addition to new episodes of Female Criminals each week, you’ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we’re discussing cases in which a criminal tortured their victim. What would compel someone to torture another person, and what are the lasting effects on a victim who was tortured? Clips featured: Female Criminals: Gertrude Banisewski Pt. 1, Serial Killers: David Parker Ray Pt. 2, Hostage: Colleen Stan Pt. 2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In October of 1994, Susan Smith, committed the unthinkable: she drove her car into a South Carolina lake, with her two young sons trapped inside. But rather than turn herself in for their murders, Susan invented the story of a carjacking that sent police and reporters on a wild goose chase for an unidentified man. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In addition to new episodes of Female Criminals each week, you’ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we’ll focus on wealthy criminals. We’ll discuss what leads high-status individuals to commit crimes, as well as the consequences they face once captured. Clips featured: Kingpins: Pablo Escobar Pt. 1, Con Artists: Bernie Madoff Pt. 1, Female Criminals: Leona Helmsley Pt. 2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In October of 1994, Susan Smith drove her car into a South Carolina Lake as her boys slept in their carseats. Troubling signs point back to the 23-year old mother of two’s traumatic childhood, tumultuous relationships with men, and an infamous letter which would ultimately push her to commit the unthinkable. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In addition to new episodes of Female Criminals each week, you’ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. What makes someone so vengeful, they’re willing to take a human life? Using clips from across the Parcast Network, we’ll search for clues by taking a closer look at some of history’s most infamous revenge killings. Clips featured: Crimes of Passion: Marty and Michelle Theer Pt. 1, Female Criminals: Valerie Solanas Pt. 2, Assassinations: Phoolan Devi Pt. 1 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When her daughter failed to make the cheerleading squad on her first try, Texas mother Wanda Holloway knew there was always next year. But by 1991, it seemed pretty clear—some things are worth killing for. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In addition to new episodes of Female Criminals each week, you’ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we’re discussing the deaths of American political figures. Whether their demise came at the hands of an assassin, or a political rival, the loss of each of these leaders left an indelible impact on U.S. history. Clips featured: Political Scandals: Election of 1800, Assassinations: Lincoln Pt. 2, Conspiracy Theories: JFK Assassination Pt. 1 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the small, industrial town of Channelview, Texas, everyone was content with what they had—except Wanda Holloway. She had grown up with a strict religious father, and strove to be better than those around her by any means necessary. So in 1991, she hatched a plot to have the mother of her teenage daughter’s cheerleading rival killed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In addition to new episodes of Female Criminals each week, you’ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we’re discussing serial killers’ first murders. What did the murders look like and how does a killer’s modus operandi change after their first slaying? We'll hear clips from our shows across the Parcast Network, and dive deeper into their minds and methods. Clips featured: Clips featured: Today in True Crime: December 5, 2019: Boston Belfry’s First, Female Criminals: Mary Ann Cotton Pt. 1, Serial Killers: Elizabeth Wettlaufer Pt. 1 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the early 1900s, Carry Nation decided to take her temperance fight national. She traveled from state to state smashing up saloons with her trusty hatchet. However, as Carry escalated her radical behavior, her critics began thinking up even more dire ways to stop her. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In addition to new episodes of Female Criminals each week, you’ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we’re discussing the clues that criminals left behind and the ways in which the police used them to hunt down their suspect. These clues could be biological, such as DNA or fingerprints; or physical, such as a piece of clothing fiber left at the scene. Some were merely overlooked by the criminal—and some were intentionally left behind. Clips featured: Serial Killers: BTK Pt. 2, Unexplained Mysteries: Zodiac Killer Pt. 1, Espionage: Aldrich Ames Pt. 2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are thrilled to bring you a brand new episode of Female Criminals today and for the foreseeable future. We thank you for your patience during this unprecedented time. In the mid-1800s, after her husband died from alcoholism, Kansas-native Carry Nation developed an interest in the temperance cause. By the end of the 19th century, Carry’s interest had transformed into radicalism, and an unstoppable rampage to destroy saloons and bars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In addition to new episodes of Female Criminals each week, you’ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we're discussing "M.O.s", or the "modus operandi" of murderers. We'll talk about the tactics killers use on their victims, and what those methods say about their psyches. Clips featured: Female Criminals: Marie Sukloff Pt. 2, Unsolved Murders/Kingpins: St. Valentine’s Day Massacre Pt. 1, Unexplained Mysteries: Jack the Ripper Pt. 2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you enjoy the true stories told in Female Criminals, check out this episode from our series Crimes of Passion: Although she initially seemed eager to help her boyfriend Conrad Roy move past his struggles with depression, in July of 2014 Michelle Carter’s reaction changed. After Conrad's death, text messages from his phone revealed a darker side to their relationship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you enjoy the true stories told in Female Criminals, check out this episode from our series Crimes of Passion: They began an online relationship in 2012. Over the course of the next two years, through thousands of texts and social media messages, Conrad Roy confided in Michelle Carter his struggles with depression and suicidal ideation. Their relationship would end in tragedy in 2014. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In addition to new episodes of Female Criminals each week, you’ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we’re exploring cases of indoctrination. We’ll discuss how cult leaders, secret societies, and kidnappers gain control of their victims and what makes individuals vulnerable to malicious manipulation. Clips featured: Cults: Alamo Christian Foundation Pt. 2, Secret Societies: The Triads Pt. 1, Hostage: Colleen Stand Pt. 1 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After her attempt in 1975 to assassinate President Gerald Ford failed, Sara Jane Moore was incarcerated. Her contempt for authority ultimately resulted in Moore mounting an audacious prison escape. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In addition to new episodes of Female Criminals each week, you’ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today, we're looking at some of the most fascinating criminal trials in history. We'll see how certain tactics used by attorneys influenced juries, changed outcomes, and provided some of the most unexpected legal twists and turns in recent memory. Clips featured: Crimes of Passion: Lorena Bobbitt Pt. 2, Female Criminals: Salem Witches Pt. 2, Not Guilty: Central Park Five Pt. 2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the 1970s, Sara Jane Moore’s activism in San Francisco's radical movement led to her being chosen to work undercover for the FBI. However after being slighted by the bureau, Moore began to consider her most radical act yet—assassinating a U.S. President. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In addition to new episodes of Female Criminals each week, you’ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we’re discussing cases of abduction, and examining some of the most infamous kidnappings throughout true crime history. We'll hear clips from our shows across the Parcast Network, and look at the different reasons why a criminal would carry out such a heinous act. Clips featured: Serial Killers: Ted Bundy Pt. 1, Female Criminals: Phoolan Devi Pt. 1, Hostage: Frank Sinatra Jr. Pt. 1 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Due to the unfortunate spread of COVID-19, Parcast has decided to halt recording for the time-being. This is a precautionary measure taken to ensure the safety of our hosts and staff. In the meantime, we're excited to share one of our classic episodes that we know you'll enjoy! In 2002, after twenty years of marriage, 44-year-old Susan Polk of San Francisco, called it quits with her husband, 70-year-old Felix Polk. Susan's reasons for divorce were simple: she believed her husband was a spy working for the CIA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In addition to new episodes of Female Criminals each week, you’ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we’re discussing cannibals and vampires. We’ll examine strange cases of predators who drink blood and feast on flesh, and delve into their unique psychology. Clips featured: Unsolved Murders: Atlas Vampire, Female Criminals: Tracey Wigginton, Serial Killers: Albert Fish Pt. 2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

By 2004, Lisa Nowak’s friendship with Bill Oefelein had heated up into an extramarital affair. Despite knowing she was risking her marriage and job, Lisa didn’t care. She loved Bill. But when he tried to leave her for a younger woman, Lisa’s love turned into a dangerous obsession. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In addition to new episodes of Female Criminals each week, you’ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we're looking into the crimes that affect wealthy victims. While we may assume the wealthy are most often the victims of crimes like robbery, in reality, the wealthy are less likely to be victimized than the poor. Why is this the case, and why do we find it so fascinating when the wealthy become the victims of illegal activities? Clips featured: Gone: Michael Rockefeller, Hostage: John Paul Getty III Pt. 2, Unexplained Mysteries: Alfred Lowenstein Pt. 2, Con Artists: Jeanne de la Motte Pt. 2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

All her life, Lisa Nowak dreamt of becoming an astronaut. She worked tirelessly in pursuit of this goal. And then in 2003, when space flight was just within her grasp, Lisa met fellow astronaut, Bill Oefelein. She had no idea that her relationship with Bill would soon make her risk everything. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In addition to new episodes of Female Criminals each week, you’ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. What motivates someone to assassinate a President, or their musical hero? Today we’re highlighting three notorious assassinations and the perpetrators behind them. Using clips from shows across the Parcast Network, we’ll see what motivated them to kill some of the most prominent figures in history, and explore the lasting impact of their crimes. Clips featured: Conspiracy Theories: Lincoln Assassination Pt. 1, Assassinations: John Lennon, Female Criminals: Phoolan Devi Pt. 2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bobby ruined every single romantic moment Lisa Connelly had with Marty Puccio. He was always hanging around, saying cruel things and being physically abusive towards anyone that challenged him. So Lisa, Marty and Lisa's best friend, Ali Willis, recruited four more teenagers and together they all set about ridding the world of Bobby Kent for good. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In addition to new episodes of Female Criminals each week, you’ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Stars—they’re just like us. So why are we so intrigued by celebrity death, and why is the intrigue amplified when the death is unexpected? Today we’re discussing those high-profile cases. We'll dive into clips from shows across the Parcast Network, including Conspiracy Theories, Unsolved Murders, and Not Guilty. Clips featured: Conspiracy Theories: Marilyn Monroe Pt. 2, Unsolved Murders: Natalie Wood Pt. 1, Not Guilty: Robert Blake Pt. 1 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lisa Connelly and Alice Willis were two Florida teens whose friendship turned homicidal in 1992 as they bonded over their common enemy: Alice’s ex-boyfriend, Bobby Kent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the last Sunday of every month, Parcast Rewind replays a classic episode of Female Criminals that you might have missed! Dorothea Puente didn’t set out to become Sacramento’s most notorious female serial killer. But she did have a criminal streak that grew more sinister, culminating in the deaths of almost a dozen residents of the boarding house she ran. How was she able to evade detection from family members and social workers? And how did she get away with her first murder? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In addition to new episodes of Female Criminals each week, you’ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we're exploring cases of unhealthy relationships and examining some of true crime's most notorious couples. We'll dive into clips from shows across the Parcast Network, and look at how the twisted—often abusive—dynamic between two criminals shapes the crimes they commit. Clips featured: Crimes of Passion: Bonnie and Clyde Pt. 1, Female Criminals: Phoolan Devi Pt. 1, Con Artists: Jeanne de la Motte Pt. 1, Cults: Eastern Lightning Pt. 1, Serial Killers: Carol M. Bundy Pt. 1 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Broderick’s bitter divorce unleashed an unpredictable, raging violence in Betty. She sought the ultimate revenge when she shot Dan and his new wife, Linda in cold blood. The story, the trial, and Betty’s lack of remorse would go on to captivate the country. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In addition to new episodes of Female Criminals each week, you’ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we're taking a look at what some of the most infamous criminals in history have in common: a brutal childhood. As we dive into clips from shows across the Parcast Network, we'll explore how their early years of abuse, neglect, and trauma all shaped these individuals into notorious offenders. Clips featured: Female Criminals: La Mataviejitas Pt. 1, Cults: Charles Manson Pt. 1, Serial Killers: Andrei Chikatilo Pt. 1 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After discovering her husband’s affair in 1983, Betty Broderick’s perfect world came crashing down. During their protracted divorce, Betty’s behavior became increasingly short and violent—until she ultimately decided to take matters into her own hands. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In addition to new episodes of Female Criminals each week, you’ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we explore the unique and shocking cases when elders we expect to respect defy society and commit crimes in their old age. We'll dive into clips from shows across the Parcast Network, and discuss all the reasons a senior citizen may defy the norm and break the law. Clips featured: Con Artists: Bernie Madoff Pt. 2, Female Criminals & Serial Killers: Dorothea Puente Pt. 2, Kingpins: Griselda Blanco Pt. 3, Cults: The Brethren Pt. 2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1911, Dr. Linda Burfield Hazzard took her cruel alternative medicine practices to a new level by opening her infamous sanitarium in Washington—which locals would dub "Starvation Heights.” There, Linda continued her abuse and fraud by financially exploiting and starving wealthy British heiresses, Dora and Claire Williamson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In addition to new episodes of Female Criminals each week, you’ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we're exploring those rare and hopeful instances where victims managed to break out of their captors' clutches and flee to freedom. We'll dive into clips from shows across the Parcast Network, and discuss all the ways in which a victim might escape and the psychological effects their traumatic experiences might have had on them. Clips featured: Female Criminals: Valerie Solanas Pt. 2, Crimes of Passion: Ming Sen Shiue Pt. 2, Cults: Worker’s Institute Pt. 2, Hostage: James Riley Pt. 2, Serial Killers: David Parker Ray Pt. 2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

She was a turn-of-the-20th century medical practitioner who preached starvation as a method of curing disease. But it was Dr. Linda Burfield Hazzard’s childhood exposure to fad remedies that shaped her interest in alternative medicine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices