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Morbid Network | Wondery


It’s a lighthearted nightmare in here, weirdos! Morbid is a true crime, creepy history and all things spooky podcast hosted by an autopsy technician and a hairstylist. Join us for a heavy dose of research with a dash of comedy thrown in for flavor.





Morbid

Between 1991 and 1993, the dismembered bodies of five gay and bisexual men were discovered in garbage bags along the highway in New York and New Jersey. The cause of the death for each was multiple stab wounds, and each victim had been disarticulated into eight pieces and placed in eight garbage bags before being deposited into trash barrels, where they were quickly discovered by a curious member of the public. 

Despite being discovered in different locations in different states, it didn’t take long for investigators to identify the similarities between the victims. They were all older men, single or separated, and all had been seen last around closing time at various New York gay bars. Moreover, the scant evidence found with each body appeared to connect the murders back to Staten Island, but told detectives nothing else about the killer. Then, in late 1993, the murders simply stopped and the case went cold.

The case of the man the press dubbed “The Last Call Killer” sat on a shelf for nearly a decade before a team of cold case investigators picked it up again, determined to make progress. In the years that passed, advances in technology had allowed for the collection of previously unseen evidence, and it was thanks to that technology that the case was finally solved.

Thank you to the Incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research and Writing support!

References

Ben-Ali, Russell, and William Rashbaum. 1993. "Grisly slayings linked?" Newsday, August 3: 4.

—. 1993. "Hunt is on." Newsday, August 5: 6.

Curran, John. 2006. "Ex-UM student given life sentences in slayings." Bangor Daily News, January 28: 25.

Frederick, Henry. 1993. "Body parts found in Haverstraw." Journal News (White Plains, NY), August 1: 1.

Green, Elon. 2021. Last Call: A True Story of Love, Lust, and Murder in Queer New York. New York, NY: Celadon Books.

Hoober, John. 1991. "Turnpike murder victim was ex-banker." Lancaster New Era, May 15: 1.

Lueck, Thomas. 2001. "Complicated portrait of a suspect in killings of gay men." New York Times, May 31.

New York Times. 1993. "Thomas Mulcahy: Sales executive, devoted husband." New York Times, August 8: 40.

Peet, Judy. 2000. "Technology revives search for gays' serial killer." Staten Island Advance, April 24: 15.

Rashbaum, William. 1993. "Gay stalker?" Newsday, August 4: 5.

Rosenblatt, Lionel. 1973. "Jury finds student not guilty." Bangor Daily News, November 4: 1.

State of New Jersey v. Richard W. Rogers. 2008. 03-01-00050 (Superior Court of New Jersey, April 16).

Walsh, James. 1993. "Tracking a killer." Journal News (White Plains, NY), October 24:

Stay in the know - wondery.fm/morbid-wondery.

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Episode 687: The Last Call Killer (Part 1)

Episode 688: The Last Call Killer (Part 2)

In late 1931, several Native trappers in Aklavik, Northwest Territories, reported to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) that a newly arrived white man, Albert Johnson, had been tampering with their traps. The RCMP dispatched two officers to Johnson’s remote cabin, but he refused to speak with them, so they left to get a warrant to search his home. When the officers returned and tried to gain entry, Johnson fired a shotgun blast through the cabin door, wounding one of the RCMP officers.

The incident quickly escalated when a posse of RCMP officers returned and tossed dynamite into the cabin, initiating a firefight in which one officer was killed, and a manhunt that would last more than month and unfold across more than 150 miles of some of the roughest terrain in the world. 

In the end, Albert Johnson would not be taken alive. And while his death may have ended the wild pursuit across the Yukon territory, it was just the beginning of another mystery that would endure into the twenty-first century.

Thank you to the Incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research and Writing support!

References

Canadian Press. 1932. "Long chase of slayer." New York Times, February 18: 3.

Edmonton Journal. 1932. "Cornered by pursuers, wounded and fighting to last, Johnson slain." Edmonton Journal, February 18: 1.

—. 1932. "Think Mad Trapper hiding in Arctic wilderness cabin." Edmonton Journal, January 27: 1.

Journal, Edmonton. 1932. "Eyewittness tells story last desperate stand trapper Albert Johnson." Edmonston Journal, February 19: 1.

New York Times. 1932. "Mad, hunted trapper kills constable." New York Times, February 1: 38.

North, Dick. 2005. Mad Trapper of Rat River: A True Story Of Canada's Biggest Manhunt. New York, NY: Lyons Press.

Roden, Barbara. 2022. "The Mad Trapper part 3: Shootout on the Eagle River." North Thompson Times, December 8.

—. 2022. "The Mad Trapper part 5: The mystery of Albert Johnson endures to this day." North Thompson Times, December 22.

—. 2022. "The Mad Trapper part II: A tragic manhunt plays out." North Thompson Times, December 1.

—. 2022. "The Mad Trapper, Part I: a man of mystery arrives in the Arctic." North Thompson Times, November 24.

Thompson Reuters. 2021. "Scientists narrow search for mysterious Mad Trapper to Sweden." Comtex News Network, July 30.

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Episode 625: Albert Johnson: The Mad Trapper of Rat River

When Kathryn Wombacher suspected her husband, Walter Andrew, of having an affair in the spring of 1920, she hired a private detective to follow him on one of his many “out-of-town” trips that he’d taken in their short marriage. However, rather than follow Walter out of town, the private detective tracked the man less than a mile from his home in Hollywood, where he discovered that Walter had indeed been carrying on a relationship with another woman—but that was to be the least of Kathryn’s worries.

Thank you to the Incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research and Writing support!

References

Associated Press. 1920. "Police search for Montana girl is commenced ." Miles City Star, April 1: 1.

—. 1920. "Alleged wife believes Huirt 'woman hater'." San Francisco Chronicle, April 15: 1.

—. 1920. "Nine 'wives' killed by Bluebeard." Saskatoon Daily Star, May 11: 7.

Cameron, Jim. 2014. "The horrifying marriage career of James "Bluebeard" Watson." Cranbrook Daily Townsman, October 31.

Dowd, Katie. 2019. "'Object, matrimony': The forgotten tale of the West Coast's first serial bride killer." SF Gate, October 4.

Hoag, Ernest, and Edward Williams. 1922. "The Case of J.P. Watson, the Modern Bluebeard." Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology 348-359.

Los Angeles Evening Express. 1920. "Huirt's latest wife here to clear mystery." Los Angeles Evening Express, April 14: 1.

Los Angeles Times. 1920. ""I'm crazy!" Bluebeard cries to the public." Los Angeles Times, May 4: 15.

—. 1920. "Watson confesses four wife-murders; married nearly a score of women." Los Angeles Times, April 30: 1.

—. 1920. "Watson's real name Boyd?" Los Angeles Times, April 27: 17.

—. 1920. "Watson's story of early life." Los Angeles Times, April 30: 1.

—. 1920. "Whoesale bigamy bared." Los Angeles Times, April 11: 1.

Rasmussen, Cecelia. 1997. "Quiet man left trail of dead wives." Los Angeles Times, August 31.

Sacramento Bee. 1920. "Watson given life sentence for murder of Nina Lee Deloney." Sacramento Bee, May 10: 1.

San Francisco Chronicle. 1920. "Burying ground of 'Bluebeard' thought found." San Francisco Chronicle, April 20: 6.

Whitaker, Alma. 1930. "Bluebeard's treasure hunt blows up--bang." Los Angeles Times, November 30: 19.

Zdeb, Chris. 2014. "Serial killer, bigamist had ties to Edmonton." Edmonton Journal, May 10: 2.

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Episode 626: James P. Watson: The Bluebeard Killer

Weirdos!! It’s our third SPECIAL BONUS EPISODE brought to YOU by our friends at Audible!

Today we’re joined by a member of the PodFam, Spencer Henry from Cult Liter, Obitchuary & Gossip's Bridle! Join us while we chat about Jim Clemente & Peter McDonnell “Blue Beard”! Join the “Weirdos’ Audiobook Club" AND the conversation as we talk about the Title that dramatizes true events in a radio style drama! Hear about the productions origins, as well as the immense effort put into creating such an immersive experience. Haven’t listened yet? Don’t worry about it, friend! Go to Audible.com/weirdos for YOUR free trial! And don’t forget to click the episode post on Instagram to comment YOUR favorite aspects of the production, and discuss with other Weirdos who enjoyed the title, as well!

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Episode 629: “Weirdos’ Audiobook Club” presented by Audible – Blue Beard with Special Guest, Spencer Henry From Cult Liter

When thirty-four-year-old St. Paul housewife Carol Thompson was murdered in the spring of 1963, her entire neighborhood was shocked by the evil that had invaded their middle-class neighborhood. As far as anyone knew, Carol was a happily married mother of four who appeared to have it all, but the cruel brutality of her murder suggested someone had hated her enough to kill her.

When investigators began to dig deeper into Carol’s life and background, they found the truth was that, far from the happy façade she showed the world, Carol Thompson’s life was anything but happy. In the weeks that followed her death, investigators would uncover an unexpectedly complicated conspiracy involving several well-known criminals, all leading back to the one person no one wanted to suspect.

Thank you to the Incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research and Writing support!

References

Associated Press. 1963. "Slaying details related in court." New York Times, November 27: 49.

—. 1963. "Woman is linked to 'hire' murder." New York Times, November 5: 17.

2016. A Crime to Remember. Directed by Tony Glazer. Performed by Chloe Boxer and Christine Connor.

Cesnik, Jim. 1963. "'Cotton' Thompson--as father, friend." Minneapolis Star, June 25: 1.

Letofsky, Irv. 1963. "Never an acquittal vote." Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN), December 7: 1.

Letofsky, Irv, and Jim Cesnik. 1963. "City man held in Phoenix in Thompson slaying case." Star Tribune, April 20: 1.

Minneapolis Star. 1963. "FBI to check policies on Mrs. Thompson's life." Minneapolis Star , April 3: 1.

—. 1963. "St. Paul mother 'critical' after stabbing in home." Minneapolis Star, March 6: 1.

—. 1963. "Thompson arrested in wife's slaying." Minneapolis Star, June 21: 1.

Presbrey, Paul. 1963. "Thompson killing gun identified." Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN), April 10: 1.

Roberts, Sam. 2015. "T. Eugene Thompson dies at 88; crime stunned St. Paul." New York Times, September 6: 28.

Romer, Sam. 1963. "Interview with captured suspect." Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN), April 20: 1.

Rudick, Irvin. 1963. "Anderson told Sharp he slew Mrs. Thompson." Minneapolis Star, April 23: 1.

Star Tribune. 1963. "Police seek clues in St. Paul slaying." Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN), March 7: 1.

—. 1963. "Police want more talk with victim's mate." Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN), March 23: 1.

—. 1963. "Statement also lists his assets." Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN), March 27: 1.

Thompson, William. 2007. Dial M: The Murder of Carol Thompson. Nepean, ON: Borealis Books.

United Press International. 1963. "Thompson trial told of insurance." New York Times, November 6: 29.

Young, Douglas. 1963. "Husband of slain St. Paul woman explains $1,061,00 in insurance." Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN), March 27: 1.

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Episode 627: The Murder of Carol Thompson

On the morning of April 10, 1936, Nancy Evans Titterton, novelist and wife of NBC Radio executive Lewis Titterton, was found sexually assaulted and strangled to death in the bathtub of her apartment in Beekman Place, a prominent New York City apartment building. Upon first inspection, the crime scene yielded few clues—a fingerprint in the bathroom, a length of rope used to bind her hands, and little else. 

Within a week, detectives were no closer to solving the case than they were on day one, until a break finally came when the rope and a single horsehair was traced to a local upholstery shop, and ultimately to an apprentice upholsterer named John Fiorenza, who, along with his boss, Theodore Kruger, discovered Nancy’s body while delivering a piece of furniture. 

Eventually, Fiorenza confessed to assaulting and murdering Nancy Titterton, but claimed temporary insanity. At the trial, the jury rejected Fiorenza’s defense and he was found guilty and he was executed in January 1938. Although the case of Nancy Evans Titterton may seem rather straightforward, it stands as an early example of science and law enforcement coming together to solve a case that had previously seemed destined to remain unsolved. 

Thank you to the Incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research and Writing support!

References

New York Times. 1937. "Clemency is asked for John Fiorenza." New York Times, January 12: 3.

—. 1936. "Fiorenza counsel accuses a 'fiend'." New York Times, May 21: 7.

—. 1936. "Fiorenza doomed to electric chair." New York Times, June 6: 34.

—. 1936. "Fiorenza insane, alienst swears." New York Times, May 26: 48.

—. 1936. "Fiorenza's mother sets up an alibi." New York Times, May 23: 34.

—. 1936. "Plea of insanity by Fiorenza likely." New York Times, April 23: 5.

—. 1936. "Scientists study clues to slayer of Mrs. Titterton." New York Times, April 12: 1.

—. 1937. "Titterton slayer is put to death." New York Times, January 22: 42.

—. 1936. "Upholdwerter's aide confesses murder of Mrs. Titterton." New York Times, April 22: 1.

—. 1936. "Woman writer, 34, found strangled in bathtub in home." New York Times, April 11: 1.

Schechter, Harold. 2014. The Mad Sculptor: The Maniac, the Model, and the Murder that Shook the Nation. New York, NY: Little A Publishing .

Times Union. 1936. "Countess tells of prowler knocking on door 8 hours before writer was strangled." Brooklyn Times Union, April 11: 1.

—. 1936. "Arraigned and denied bail, he then retraces flght." Times Union (Brooklyn, New York), April 22: 1.

—. 1936. "Fiorenza guilty in first degree." Times Union (Brooklyn, New York), May 28: 1.

—. 1936. "Johnnie was a good boy, sobs mother of slayer." Times Union (Brooklyn, New York), April 21: 1.

—. 1936. "Hunt mysterious prowler." Times Union (Brooklyn, NY), April 12: 1.

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Episode 628: The Murder of Nancy Evans Titterton

This episode is a fan favorite that was originally published as Episode 476. We hope that you have a happy and safe holiday! 

Juliane Koepcke's story will have you questioning any recent complaint you've made. This woman was the sole survivor of a plane crash in 1971. After the plane went down, she continued to survive in the AMAZON RAINFOREST among hundreds and hundreds of predators. It took 11 days for her to be rescued and when you hear what Julianne faced within those 11 days, you will be a changed human.

When I Fell From the Sky by Juliane Koepcke

List of books to help with fear of flying OR just education on flying and flying mechanics! 

Cockpit Confidential by Patrick Smith

Soar by Tom Bunn

Thank you to the Incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research and Writing support!

References

BBC. 2012. Juliane Koepcke: How I survived a plane crash. March 24. Accessed November 30, 2022. https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-17476615.

1998. Wings of Hope. Directed by Werner Herzog. Performed by Juliane Koepcke.

Koepcke, Juliane, and Beate Rygiert. 2011. When I Fell From the Sky: the True Story of One Woman's Miraculous Survival.Translated by Ross Benjamin. Green Bay, WI: TitleTown Publishing, LLC.

New York Times. 1951. "Colombia Plane Crashes: 27 killed when Lansa Craft Falls." New York Times, March 22: 13.

—. 1970. "Peru panel studies crash fatal to 99." New York Times, April 13: 2.

—. 1971. "Plane Carrying 93 Missing Over the Mountains of Peru." New York Times, December 25: 20.

United Press. 1948. "2 Britons Among 30 Dead In Colombian Air Crash." New York Times, December 16: 16.

Wigg, Richard. 1972. "Girl's ordeal starts a jungle search." The Times, January 6: 5.

Williams, Sally. 2012. "The woman who fell to earth." Daily Telegraph, March 17.

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Episode 630: Fan Favorite: The Unbelievable Survival Tale of Juliane Koepcke

This episode was that was originally published as Episode 240. We are revisiting it as a refresher before we update the case next Monday! We hope that you have a happy and safe holiday! 

We’re bringing you to one of our favorite vacation spots: Provincetown Mass. Only we aren’t sunbathing and playing volleyball on the beach, we’re here to solve a cold case, y’all. The Lady of the Dunes, as she’s known, was discovered on July 26, 1974, in the tall grass at the Race Point Dunes. Throughout the past 47 years investigators have worked tirelessly following up on leads and exhuming her body every time some kind of new technology comes up. To this day they still don’t know who killed the woman, or more importantly, who the woman even is!

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Episode 631: Case Revisit: The Lady of the Dunes

When a girl walking on a Provincetown, Massachusetts beach discovered the decomposing body of a young woman in the summer of 1974, it began an investigation into what would become one of the most notorious cold cases in the state’s history. The victim—who would remain unidentified for nearly five decades—and her killer were the source of much speculation, with theories ranging from an extra in Jaws to the victim of the local mob. 

After decades of mystery, DNA from the remains of “the Lady of the Dunes” was subject to extensive genetic matching and was finally identified as thirty-seven-year-old California resident Ruth Terry. A year later, authorities in Massachusetts announced their main suspect in the murder was Guy Muldavin, Terry’s husband at the time of her death. Muldavin died in 2002 and thus couldn’t be prosecuted for the crime, so the case was finally closed. 

Identifying Ruth’s killer brought an end to one of the most enduring murder mysteries in Massachusetts, yet identifying the Lady of the Dunes and her killer turned out to the be the beginning of a new mystery. Indeed, investigators soon learned this might not have been Muldavin’s first murder, but one of several mysterious disappearances that traced back to him.

Thank you to the Incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research and Writing support!

References

Abrams, Norma, and Sidney Kline. 1960. "Nab village Casanova onb grisly find." Daily News (New York, NY), December 2: 33.

Associated Press. 1960. "Woman's remains found in search of old Seattle home." Bellingham Herald , August 31: 1.

—. 1950. "Police probe for clues in beach killing." Berkeley Gazette, June 19: 1.

—. 1961. "Rockwell says resentment le to life of deception." Longview Daily News, October 25: 11.

—. 1960. "Rockwell on hunger strike; seeks death." Peninsula Daily News, December 3: 1.

—. 1961. "Rockwell's wife not sure she will remain married." The Columbian, October 20: 2.

Cavallier, Andrea, and Sheila Flynn. 2023. "'Lady of the Dunes' killer identified after nearly 50 years." The Independent, August 30.

Dowd, Katie. 2022. "California man questioned in double murder linked to 'Lady of the Dunes' victim Ruth Marie Terry." SF Gate, November 3.

McClatchy Newspaper Service. 1950. "Sea search is started for missing girl." Sacramento Bee, June 20: 1.

McClatchy Newspapers Service. 1950. "Kidnaping is suspected in beach killing." Sacramento Bee, June 23: 1.

—. 1950. "State detective is called into beach death case." Sacramento Bee, June 22: 1.

Murphy, Shelley. 2023. "DA says husband killed 'Lady'." Boston Globe, August 29: 1.

NBC News 10. 2022. "Man eyed in Lady of ther Dunes murder had a dark side." NBC News 10, November 11.

Reynolds, Ruth. 1961. "Too many women, too many lies." Daily News (New York, NY), December 24: 38.

Rule, Ann. 2007. Smoke, Mirrors and Murder: And Other True Cases. New York, NY: Pocket Books.

Sacramento Bee. 1950. "Humboldt beach slaying may join long list of county's unsolved mysteries ." Sacramento Bee, June 30: 22.

—. 1963. "Lie test plan is dropped in hunt for bones." Sacramento Bee, April 3: 47.

San Francisco Examiner. 1963. "Con tells of killing lovers." San Francisco Examiner, March 22: 22.

—. 1963. "Girl-killer's search for grave fails again." San Francisco Examiner, March 25: 3.

—. 1963. "'Murderer' can't find victim." San Francisco Examiner, April 2: 3.

The Doe Network. 2017. 119UFMA. May 17. Accessed November 25, 2024. https://www.doenetwork.org/cases/119ufma.html.

United Press. 1950. "Waitress sought for questioning in state beach death mystery." Los Angeles Evening Citizen News, June 19: 4.

Wood, John B. 1974. "The baffling case of the body on Cape dunes." Boston Globe, December 22: 1.

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Episode 632: The Suspected Crimes of Guy Muldavin

William Desmond Taylor was a big name in Hollywood back in the day, starring and directing plenty of hit films. Hollywood has always been rife with controversy and such was the case when William was found dead in his apartment, having been shot with a rare .38 caliber gun. The police felt like whoever had killed William had actually been wrapped up in a hug with him when they pulled the trigger. Was it Mabel Normand who had been at his home just minutes before he was killed, or could it have been Mary Miles Minter and her crazy Stage Mom ™ Charlotte Shelby? OR could it have been the woman who confessed with her dying breath? Decide for yourself and let us know what you think!

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Episode 352: The Murder of William Desmond Taylor

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