What Makes a Killer

On May 10, 2012, a blazing fire engulfed a family home in Allentown, Derby. The parents, Mick and Mairead Philpott, were able to get out alive, but there were six children trapped inside. All six perished in the tragedy . . . but it was not an accident. It came as a shock to his neighbors - but not to the authorities - that Mick Philpott was involved in orchestrating the fire in a complicated scheme for power and revenge.  This episode is sponsored by:  Better Help (https://rayconglobal.com/pages/what?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=what) Original music by Ben Krejci (https://soundcloud.com/ben-krejci) ,  Kai Engel (https://www.kai-engel.com/) , Daniel Birch (https://www.danielbirchmusic.com/) , and Lee Rosevere (https://leerosevere.bandcamp.com/) . SFX by ramston (https://freesound.org/people/Ramston/sounds/156950/) , vedas (https://freesound.org/people/vedas/sounds/66402/) , kwahmah_02 (https://freesound.org/people/kwahmah_02/sounds/250775/) , IESP (https://freesound.org/people/IESP/sounds/340020/) , miastodzwiekow (https://freesound.org/people/miastodzwiekow/sounds/127182/) , Puniho (https://freesound.org/people/Puniho/sounds/231298/) , MAJ061785 (https://freesound.org/people/MAJ061785/sounds/85560/) , and Almusic34 (https://freesound.org/people/Almusic34/sounds/181031/) .

In April 1973, in Santa Cruz California, a 24 year old man is on the run for the violent murder of his mother and her best friend. The only problem? Authorities have no idea that the crime has been committed. After three days of driving, and with no media coverage of his crime, the man makes a surprising call...to the police. And that's not the only twist, he is responsible for multiple other murders that are being investigated by the police, and he confesses to all of them in graphic detail. This episode is sponsored by: Unjust and Unsolved (https://audioboom.com/channels/5028306) , & SimpliSafe (https://simplisafe.com/what) Original music by Ben Krejci (https://soundcloud.com/ben-krejci) , Kai Engel (https://www.kai-engel.com/) , Kevin MacLeod (http://incompetech.com/) , Sergey Cheremisinov (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Sergey_Cheremisinov) , Chris Zabriskie (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Chris_Zabriskie/20120125203216346) , and Daniel Birch (https://www.danielbirchmusic.com/) .

On August 2nd, 2012, twelve year old Tia Sharp went missing after supposedly  traveling by train to meet up with some friends for the day. She is due back home in the evening evening, but she never arrived. What followed her disappearance was one of the most publicized search campaigns in British history. But on August 10th, it all came to an abrupt end, with a twist that shocked both the public, and Tia’s family. Tia’s body, and her killer, had been right in front of the cameras the entire time. This episode is sponsored by: Better Help (https://www.betterhelp.com/start/?go=true&transaction_id=10235fe047e19b4a99f9524d9b354f&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=1378&utm_medium=Desktop&utm_content=&utm_term=what¬_found=1&gor=start) , & Green Chef (https://www.greenchef.com/sign-up/welcome?ct=what80&utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=cpm&utm_campaign=30202010&utm_content=what80)   Original music by Ben Krejci (https://soundcloud.com/ben-krejci) , Kai Engel (https://www.kai-engel.com/) , Kevin MacLeod (http://incompetech.com/) , Sergey Cheremisinov (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Sergey_Cheremisinov) , and Daniel Birch (https://www.danielbirchmusic.com/) .

On June 20, 1970, the hunt was underway for a missing 12-year-old girl named Robin Samsoe. She had last been seen with her friend talking to an older man with a camera. When the man's description was circulated, he was immediately recognized by his parole officer . . . but also recognized for having appeared on a television show - The Dating Game. This episode is sponsored by: Spycast Podcast  (https://www.spymuseum.org/exhibition-experiences/online-exhibits/agent-storm/listen-to-the-audio/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5N6lgebF6wIV5QiICR3ndglmEAAYASAAEgLskPD_BwE) Original music by Ben Krejci (https://soundcloud.com/ben-krejci) , Daniel Birch (https://www.danielbirchmusic.com/) , Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com/) , Kai Engel (https://www.kai-engel.com/) , Nctrnm (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Nctrnm) , and Lee Rosevere (https://leerosevere.bandcamp.com/) . SFX by Dynamicell (https://freesound.org/people/Dynamicell/sounds/17552/) , alexbird (https://freesound.org/people/alexbird/sounds/241917/) , qubodup (https://freesound.org/people/qubodup/sounds/238958/) , 1Kaylin_Dickson (https://freesound.org/people/1Kaylin_Dickson/sounds/407493/) , DBKEEBLER (https://freesound.org/people/DBKEEBLER/sounds/403676/) , MWLANDI (https://freesound.org/people/MWLANDI/sounds/85815/) , adamlhumphreys (https://freesound.org/people/adamlhumphreys/sounds/115387/) , klankbeeld, (https://freesound.org/people/klankbeeld/sounds/169972/) lawnjelly (https://freesound.org/people/lawnjelly/sounds/156890/) , and odditonic (https://freesound.org/people/odditonic/sounds/187706/) . 

On May 31st, 1983, Polish police were dispatched to check out a supposed robbery. A neighbor had called when he realized his pig cooker was stolen . . .but police were well aware that the accused man, Pawel Tuchlin, was guilty of things that were far more sinister. For years, the man had been stalking women around Poland and attacking them with a hammer . . . and for years, police had done nothing to apprehend him.  This episode is sponsored by: Something Was Wrong (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/something-was-wrong/id1447286743) Podcast Better Help (https://rayconglobal.com/pages/what?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=what) Original music by Ben Krejci (https://soundcloud.com/ben-krejci) ,  Kai Engel (https://www.kai-engel.com/) , Daniel Birch (https://www.danielbirchmusic.com/) , Lee Rosevere (https://leerosevere.bandcamp.com/) , and Nctrnm (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Nctrnm) . SFX by TypOnNegatywny (https://freesound.org/people/TypOnNegatywny/sounds/128522/) , mwilkinsss (https://freesound.org/people/mwilkinsss/sounds/452785/) , InspectorJ (https://freesound.org/people/InspectorJ/sounds/336598/) , harrybates01 (https://freesound.org/people/harrybates01/sounds/254366/) , pfranzen (https://freesound.org/people/pfranzen/sounds/423216/) , CheneWessels_170017 (https://freesound.org/people/CheneWessels_170017/sounds/407603/) , MAJ061785 (https://freesound.org/people/MAJ061785/sounds/85560/) , pcaeldries (https://freesound.org/people/pcaeldries/sounds/65813/) , daveincamas (https://freesound.org/people/daveincamas/sounds/65247/) , Leafs67 (https://freesound.org/people/Leafs67/sounds/155589/) , bennychico11 (https://freesound.org/people/bennychico11/sounds/44407/) , kwahmah_02 (https://freesound.org/people/kwahmah_02/sounds/250775/) , drotzruhn (https://freesound.org/people/drotzruhn/sounds/405203/) , nextmaking (https://freesound.org/people/nextmaking/sounds/86044/) , Glaneur-de-sons (https://freesound.org/people/Glaneur%20de%20sons/sounds/24511/) , manychefsbroth (https://freesound.org/people/manychefsbroth/sounds/151876/) , FedeFrede (https://freesound.org/people/FedeFrede/sounds/324138/) , and Almusic34 (https://freesound.org/people/Almusic34/sounds/181031/) . Additional sfx from freesfx.co.uk (https://freesfx.co.uk/) . Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) .

On November 12th, 2002 police received a call from a terrified 14 year old boy and his 11-year-old sister. They had returned home from school to find their mother, Heather Barnett, brutally murdered. Police arrive at the scene to find the victim’s children being comforted by a neighbor. Neither police nor the children realize they are being consoled by the very man who murdered their mother. And it would take another 8 years, and the discovery of another body 14 hundred miles away, to finally bring Heather Barnett’s killer to justice. This episode is sponsored by: SimpliSafe (https://simplisafe.com/what) Check out Killer Queens (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/killer-queens-a-true-crime-podcast/id1268919812) for more true crime and a lot of 90's references. Original music by Ben Krejci (https://soundcloud.com/ben-krejci) , Lee Rosevere (https://leerosevere.bandcamp.com/) , Kai Engel (https://www.kai-engel.com/) , Kevin MacLeod (http://incompetech.com/) ,  Scott Holmes (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes) , Sergey Cheremisinov (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Sergey_Cheremisinov) , Chris Zabriskie (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Chris_Zabriskie/20120125203216346) , and Daniel Birch (https://www.danielbirchmusic.com/) .

In February 1988, a 29-year-old John Duffy was on trial for the rape and murder of three women. He was a terrifying figure, and infamous across London. His arrest brought an end to a horrific four-year crime spree across the British capital, but he was only a half a murderous duo. Duffy refused to give up the name of his accomplice, and without any leads, the police have no choice but to wait. It would be another 15 years before the other man was found guilty for his part in the heinous crimes. Over a decade later, the imprisoned Duffy has had enough, and tells investigators he will testify against his former accomplice, and friend, David Mulcahy. This episode is sponsored by: BetterHelp (https://www.betterhelp.com/start/?go=true&transaction_id=102ce3c7194de8e1d0bfb3da74b1d7&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=1378&utm_medium=Desktop&utm_content=&utm_term=what¬_found=1&gor=start) & Green Chef (https://www.greenchef.com/sign-up/welcome?ct=what80&utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=cpm&utm_campaign=30202010&utm_term=what80) Check out Real Ghost Stories Online (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-ghost-stories-online/id880791662)  for a daily dose of horror. Original music by Ben Krejci (https://soundcloud.com/ben-krejci) , Lee Rosevere (https://leerosevere.bandcamp.com/) , Kai Engel (https://www.kai-engel.com/) , Kevin MacLeod (http://incompetech.com/) , Sergey Cheremisinov (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Sergey_Cheremisinov) , and Daniel Birch (https://www.danielbirchmusic.com/) .

On February 8, 1983, a plumbing engineer arrived at an apartment in Cranley Gardens to investigate a blocked drain. When he opened the drain cover, he knew right away that the smell was not anything that would usually be in a pipe . . .and he pulled out large pieces of flesh. It was traced back to the top floor, where lived 27-year-old Dennis Nilsen. When he was arrested, Nilsen was discovered to have murdered at least 13 people - but even Nilsen couldn’t remember how many.  This episode is sponsored by:  Raycon (https://rayconglobal.com/pages/what?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=what) Original music by Ben Krejci (https://soundcloud.com/ben-krejci) , Lee Rosevere (https://leerosevere.bandcamp.com/) , Kai Engel (https://www.kai-engel.com/) , and Daniel Birch (https://www.danielbirchmusic.com/) . SFX by unfa (https://freesound.org/people/unfa/sounds/211146/) , Leady (https://freesound.org/people/Leady/sounds/26719/) , limwei (https://freesound.org/people/limwei/sounds/100015/) , Gidion (https://freesound.org/people/Gidion/sounds/366796/) , Eelke (https://freesound.org/people/Eelke/sounds/96515/) , constructabeat (https://freesound.org/people/constructabeat/sounds/258385/) , Almusic34, (https://freesound.org/people/Almusic34/sounds/181031/) klankbeeld, (https://freesound.org/people/klankbeeld/sounds/169972/) pauliep83 (https://freesound.org/people/pauliep83/sounds/33679/) , and KRISTIANKULTA (https://freesound.org/people/KRISTIANKULTA/sounds/326962/) . Additional sfx from freesfx.co.uk (https://freesfx.co.uk/) . Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) .

On December 1st, 1996, single father Lee Harvey was murdered on the side of the road. The only person who witnessed what happened was his fiancé, Tracie Andrews, who claimed he had been killed in a road rage incident by strangers. But not long after a tearful plea to the press, Andrews’s story began to fall apart. And she went from the number one witness to the number one suspect.   Original music by Ben Krejci (https://soundcloud.com/ben-krejci) , Daniel Birch (https://www.danielbirchmusic.com/) , Kai Engel (https://www.kai-engel.com/) , Lee Rosevere (https://leerosevere.bandcamp.com/) , and Ad Serpentae. Sergey Cheremisinov (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Sergey_Cheremisinov) , and  Kevin MacLeod (http://incompetech.com/) . SFX by ramston (https://freesound.org/people/Ramston/sounds/156950/) , digifishmusic (https://freesound.org/people/digifishmusic/sounds/54889/) , Kyster (https://freesound.org/people/Kyster/sounds/124027/) , InspectorJ (https://freesound.org/people/InspectorJ/sounds/360329/) , Maurice_J_K (https://freesound.org/people/Maurice_J_K/sounds/394149/) , luminadii (https://freesound.org/people/luminadii/sounds/336784/) , FedeFrede (https://freesound.org/people/FedeFrede/sounds/324138/) , and miastodzwiekow (https://freesound.org/people/miastodzwiekow/sounds/110416/) .  Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) .

In August 1985, California police officers rescued a man from an angry mod that attacked him as he exited a bus. What they didn't know, was that they had just detained a man the media had dubbed "The Night Stalker". The killer had spent 14 months terrorizing the state of California, claiming 13 victims. After finally getting a good look at the man, police realized they had just made the arrest of the decade, Richard Ramirez. This episode is sponsored by: Better Help (https://www.betterhelp.com/start/?go=true&transaction_id=1028d0359a78f186286f7da6422cef&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=1378&utm_medium=Desktop&utm_content=&utm_term=what¬_found=1&gor=start) , & SimpliSafe (https://simplisafe.com/what) Original music by Ben Krejci (https://soundcloud.com/ben-krejci) , Kai Engel (https://www.kai-engel.com/) , Lee Rosevere (https://leerosevere.bandcamp.com/) , Nctrnm (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Nctrnm) , Daniel Birch (https://www.danielbirchmusic.com/) , Kevin MacLeod (http://incompetech.com/) , Scott Holmes (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes) , and Sergey Cheremisinov (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Sergey_Cheremisinov) . Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) .

In February 1994, in Sunderland, England, a badly burned body of a teenager was found on a plot of land. It was the third in just three months. Despite all three deaths being similar, and suspicious, pathologists initially ruled out murder. Police didn’t know it yet, but there is a serial killer on the loose, and his name, was Steven Grieveson. This episode is sponsored by: Raycon (https://rayconglobal.com/pages/what?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=what) Original music by Ben Krejci (https://soundcloud.com/ben-krejci) , Kai Engel (https://www.kai-engel.com/) , Daniel Birch (https://www.danielbirchmusic.com/) , Kevin MacLeod (http://incompetech.com/) , and Scott Holmes (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes) . Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) .

On November 25th, 1987 in Paris, France. 87-year old Bertha Finalteri was strangled and robbed. It was the latest in a string of older women being robbed, tortured, and murdered . . . but Bertha survived. The culprits were a pair of young lovers, Thierry Paulin and Jean-Thierry Maturin. And when they split up, Paulin continued to steal from helpless women – and admitted to killing at least 21 people. This episode is sponsored by: It was Simple: The Betty Broderick Murders Podcast (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/it-was-simple-the-betty-broderick-murders/id1513430448) Original music by Ben Krejci (https://soundcloud.com/ben-krejci) , Daniel Birch (https://www.danielbirchmusic.com/) , Kai Engel (https://www.kai-engel.com/) , Lee Rosevere (https://leerosevere.bandcamp.com/) ,  Sergey Cheremisinov (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Sergey_Cheremisinov) , and  Kevin MacLeod (http://incompetech.com/) . SFX by CheneWessels_170017 (https://freesound.org/people/CheneWessels_170017/sounds/407603/) , ceberation (https://freesound.org/people/ceberation/sounds/235519/) , maj061785 (https://freesound.org/people/MAJ061785/sounds/85560/) , JPMusic82 (https://freesound.org/people/JPMusic82/sounds/274461/) , burnsie289 (https://freesound.org/people/burnsie289/sounds/152418/) , volivieri (https://freesound.org/people/volivieri/sounds/161189/) , margotdots (https://freesound.org/people/margotdots/sounds/362879/) and  tim-kahn (https://freesound.org/people/tim.kahn/sounds/242037/) . Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) .

In November 1988, detectives in Sacramento California discovered the body of a missing man named Burt Montoya. His body was found buried in the yard of the boarding house he had been living in. The woman in charge of the boarding house was shocked by the discovery of her tenant, but as more and more bodies were discovered, it became apparent that the little old landlady was not as innocent as she looked. Original music by Ben Krejci (https://soundcloud.com/ben-krejci) , Kai Engel (https://www.kai-engel.com/) , Daniel Birch (https://www.danielbirchmusic.com/) , and  Kevin MacLeod (http://incompetech.com/) . Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) .

What Makes a Killer is a series that chronicles the lives and crimes of the world’s most notorious killers. In every episode host Jennifer Nittoso will trace a killer’s origins, examine their behavior, and follow their path to bloodshed. We’ll hear from family members, survivors, and experts to uncover how they became killers. On this season, we will cover thirteen killers, each more sinister than the last. Who was the Death House Landlady? And how did the Sunderland Strangler get his name? All this and more will be answered this season.  What Makes a Killer returns July 2nd. New episodes released every Thursday. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you find your favorite shows.

On the Season finale of What Makes a Killer: On November 17th 2006, police in the German city of Cologne searched the vehicle of a 47-year man suspected of murder. What they found inside the truck was a collection of gruesome memorabilia. That day, police apprehended Volker Eckert, bringing an end to a 32 year career of murder that spanned five European countries. To this day, the exact number of his victims is still unknown. This episode is sponsored by:  Kenko (https://www.kencko.com/) Hello Fresh (https://www.hellofresh.com/?locale=en-US) Original music by Ben Krejci (https://soundcloud.com/ben-krejci) and Kai Engel (https://www.kai-engel.com/) . Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) .

Shortly before midnight on July 22nd, 1991, two Milwaukee police officers were flagged down in their patrol car by a man with a pair of handcuffs dangling from one wrist. The man had escaped from a small one bedroom apartment. When the officers went to investigate, they found themselves in a living nightmare. Between 1978 and 1991, Jeffrey Dahmer killed 17 young men and boys by luring them back to his apartment where he would drug and strangle them. But it wasn’t the act of murder that thrilled Dahmer - it was the dead bodies of his victims that he was interested in . . .  This episode is sponsored by: Hello Fresh (https://www.hellofresh.com/?locale=en-US) Original music by Ben Krejci (https://soundcloud.com/ben-krejci) and Kai Engel (https://www.kai-engel.com/) . Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) .

Levi Bellfield  was responsible for the brutal murders of two young women and the attempted murder of another across a 16 month period between 2003 and 2004. While serving time in prison, he was again found guilty in 2011 of one of the highest profile cases of the 21st century - a crime that had gone unsolved for almost a decade. Original music by Ben Krejci (https://soundcloud.com/ben-krejci) , Kai Engel (https://www.kai-engel.com/) and Daniel Birch (https://www.danielbirchmusic.com/) . Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) .

In September 2006, Glasgow police discovered the body of a 23-year-old student, Angelika Kluk, under the floorboards of a local church. The investigation into Angelika's murder would uncover a series of shocking crimes dating back as far as the early 1990s. Original music by Ben Krejci (https://soundcloud.com/ben-krejci) , Kai Engel (https://www.kai-engel.com/) , and Daniel Birch (https://www.danielbirchmusic.com/) . Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) .

Serial killer and rapist, Stephen Port used online dating sites to lure young men to their deaths. His victims had been found within yards of one another in East London, and it was initially thought that no foul play was involved. But the discovery of a fourth victim in September 2015, led the police to the killer who had poisoned his trusting victims. Original music by Ben Krejci (https://soundcloud.com/ben-krejci)  and Kai Engel (https://www.kai-engel.com/) . Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) .

For 20 years, Fred and Rosemary West satisfied their appetite for sex and murder inside their home on 25 Cromwell Street, Gloucester – which became known as “The House of Horrors.” This episode is sponsored by: Embr (https://embrlabs.com/)   Original music by Ben Krejci (https://soundcloud.com/ben-krejci) , Kai Engel (https://www.kai-engel.com/) and Daniel Birch (https://www.danielbirchmusic.com/) . Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) .

On August 4th, 2002, 10 year olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman went out to buy candy in Soham, England...and then disappeared. A local school caretaker, Ian Huntley, is the last one to see them alive... This episode is sponsored by: Native (https://www.nativecos.com/) Audible (https://www.audible.com/) Original music by Ben Krejci (https://soundcloud.com/ben-krejci) and Daniel Birch (https://www.danielbirchmusic.com/) . Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) .

When a local woman went missing in 1957, police searched the farmhouse of loner Ed Gein. What they found stunned the small town of Plainfield, Wisconsin - and the world. This episode is sponsored by: Embr (https://embrlabs.com/?utm_campaign=What&utm_source=Podcast) BetterHelp (https://www.betterhelp.com/)   Original music by Ben Krejci (https://soundcloud.com/ben-krejci) and Daniel Birch (https://www.danielbirchmusic.com/) . Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) .

In her twelve day killing spree, 31-year old Joanne Dennehy killed three men and stabbed two others in broad daylight, leaving them for dead. Some have characterized Dennehy as a femme fatale, a woman who entices men into her life before turning in an instant... with deadly results.  This episode is sponsored by: BetterHelp (https://www.betterhelp.com/)   Lola (https://www.mylola.com/?home_grp=4&utm_expid=.6OXDYUf4R0-Zg_R3mBdgXw.3&utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F) Kencko (https://www.kencko.com/) Promo Code: WHAT Original music by Ben Krejci (https://soundcloud.com/ben-krejci) and Daniel Birch (https://www.danielbirchmusic.com/) . Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) .

In his five-year reign of terror, Peter Sutcliffe brutally murdered 13 young women across the North of England. During the investigation, Sutcliffe was interviewed nine times by police - narrowly escaping capture each time. When he was finally apprehended in January 1981, it brought an end to a manhunt that had both terrified and captivated the nation. This episode is sponsored by: Embr (https://embrlabs.com/)   Care/of (https://takecareof.com/)   Native (https://www.nativecos.com/)   Code: WHAT Original music by Ben Krejci (https://soundcloud.com/ben-krejci) and Daniel Birch (https://www.danielbirchmusic.com/) . Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) .

A local businessman, socialite, and Democratic precinct captain, known to spend his weekends entertaining children as a clown -- but over the course of six years, John Wayne Gacy kidnapped, tortured, and brutally murdered 33 young men and boys in and around Chicago, Illinois. 27 of the 33 victims were discovered buried in a crawl space directly below Gacy’s home. This episode is sponsored by: Kencko (https://www.kencko.com/?utm_expid=.gI0Xj4elS4aadINQLg41kA.0&utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F)   Audible (https://www.audible.com/ep/podcast?source_code=PBPGB02010011901BA)   BetterHelp (https://www.betterhelp.com/)   Original music by Ben Krejci (https://soundcloud.com/ben-krejci) and Daniel Birch (https://www.danielbirchmusic.com/) . Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) .

Pedophile, rapist, murderer, and cannibal, Joachim Kroll is considered to be one of the most twisted serial killers in Europe in the twentieth century. Between the mid 1950s and the late 1970s, Kroll targeted women and children across West Germany, evading the authorities for years.  This episode is sponsored by: AMC's Shudder (https://www.shudder.com/)   BetterHelp (https://www.betterhelp.com/)   MDRN CBD (http://mdrncbd.com)   Original music by Ben Krejci (https://soundcloud.com/ben-krejci) and Daniel Birch (https://www.danielbirchmusic.com/) . Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) .

When we face challenges in life, we seek answers from people we believe can help us. When tragedy strikes an exclusive retreat with a self-help superstar, many people are left to wonder: how far is too far? James Arthur Ray was an Oprah-endorsed self-help teacher who achieved fame, fortune, and influence. But friends and family members of his followers questioned his unorthodox methods, and tried to stop him. From Wondery, the makers of “Dirty John,” “Dr. Death,” and “The Shrink Next Door,” comes a story about the dark side of enlightenment. Hosted by journalist Matt Stroud.   Listen today at http://wondery.fm/whatmakes_guru

What Makes a Killer is a twelve-part series that chronicles the lives and crimes of the world’s most notorious serial killers. In every episode host Jennifer Nittoso will trace a killer’s origins, examine their behavior, and follow their path to bloodshed. We’ll hear from family members, survivors, and experts to uncover how they became killers.  What Makes a Killer premieres October 31st with new episodes every Thursday. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows.