Assassinations

Today we’re bringing you a special two-part episode from another Spotify Original from Parcast. If you enjoy it, check out Unexplained Mysteries on Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!  He was the most talked-about man in Russia at the turn of the 20th century. Grigori Rasputin’s life reads like a twisted fairy tale, but even the most well-studied historians have a hard time separating the man from the darkness of his many myths.

Today we’re bringing you a special two-part episode from another Spotify Original from Parcast. If you enjoy it, check out Unexplained Mysteries on Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!  He was the most talked-about man in Russia at the turn of the 20th century. Grigori Rasputin’s life reads like a twisted fairy tale, but even the most well-studied historians have a hard time separating the man from the darkness of his many myths.

If you enjoy the true stories told in Assassinations, check out this episode from our series Dictators: Il Duce’s ineffective economic policies left Italy completely unprepared for World War II, and yet he forced the country into it anyway. What followed was a defeat so embarrassing that it remains legendary for its incompetency to this day.

If you enjoy the true stories told in Assassinations, check out this episode from our series Dictators: The Italian "Il Duce" had one of the most dramatic transformations of any politician in history. An ardent socialist for the first three decades of his life, he abruptly left the party and developed his own brand of nationalist, totalitarian belief. This system would become known as fascism, and it would change the course of history.

Undiagnosed schizophrenia and misplaced religious beliefs all conspired to lead Mark David Chapman to believe he was destined for great things. In 1980, he read a magazine article that seemed to point him toward his fate—he was going to be the man to murder former Beatle John Lennon.

Here’s one of our listeners’ most requested episodes of 2019: In the last years of his reign, this Emperor was known for his frequent and extreme executions. When his mistress discovers her name on his list of people who should be killed, she takes matters into her own hands.

Here’s one of our listeners’ most requested episodes of 2019: Known as one of the most egotistical Roman emperors, Commodus famously commissioned statues depicting himself as the mythical hero Hercules. Ultimately his megalomania would be his downfall when in 192, a conspiracy formed by his mistress and the praetorian prefect went into action.

After Bonnier de la Chapelle confessed to the murder of Admiral Francois Darlan it appeared police had an open and shut case. But that was only the beginning as a series of conspiracy theories surfaced as to who was really behind the assassination.

When German forces occupied France during World War II, French leaders such as Navy Admiral leader Fançois Darlan sided with Adolf Hilter and joined forces. The French government was fractured, and a resistance was soon forged, targeting the Admiral toward his removal from power.

The death of Park Chung Hee would remain in the minds of the public for years after his assassination as citizens debated how his years in the Blue House influenced generations of politics in South Korea.

From humble beginnings to becoming South Korea's second president in 1963, Park Chung Hee’s time in office pitted the booming economy against the rigid censorship of his authoritarian regime. But not everyone would endorse his brand of politics...

On July 8, 1905, Walter Smith turned himself in to authorities after admitting to shooting Guy Bradley. The bizarre events that transpired after Bradley’s killing would spark nationwide outrage—helping usher in the Conservation Movement of the early 20th Century.

Once good friends, the conflicts that developed between Walter Smith and game warden Guy Bradley would ultimately grow into an obsession for revenge and murder. Track the events leading up to Bradley’s horrific death in the Florida Everglades in 1905.

The 2001 assassination of Phoolan Devi devastated Indians at the bottom of the social hierarchy, and served to highlight the continuing issue of inter-caste violence. In the wake of her murder, Sher Singh Rana’s decade-long trial would further impact the community.

India’s so-called “Bandit Queen,” assassinated in New Delhi on July 26, 2001. Sher Singh Rana confessed that he killed Phoolan to avenge her 1981 massacre of over 20 upper caste men. But Rana’s vengeful killing was part of a far bigger battle.

The death of Arkansas Congressman James Hinds in 1868 emboldened the Ku Klux Klan to commit even more acts of violence, spurring other equal-rights activists to fight all the harder. The century to follow would be marked by continued clashes between civil rights advocates and hate groups.

Following the American Civil War, Congressman James Hinds advocated for civil rights legislation to help former slaves integrate into American society. The Ku Klux Klan took notice, ultimately making him the first sitting Congressman ever assassinated.

Prime Minister Boutros Ghali's murder signalled that the time for revolution was nigh. Egyptian nationalists staged protests, rioted, and even resorted to even more assassinations in an attempt to overthrow the colonialist British. 

After centuries of colonial rule, newly elected Prime Minister Boutros Ghali strove to build bridges with the native Egyptian people and their British overlords. But his many compromises marked him as an enemy to the state in the eyes of nationalists like Ibrahim Nasif al-Wardani.

After being shot by Charles Guiteau, President James Garfield manages to survive for 80 days. However, because his doctors failed to adhere to modern medical practices, Garfield suffers a long and painful death. Meanwhile, the delusional Charles Guiteau eagerly awaits his rescue by Chester A. Arthur as the gallows pole comes closer and closer into view.

On the morning of July 2, 1881, President James Garfield entered the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station in Washington, DC ready to leave for vacation. As he walked through the waiting room, he was suddenly shot in the back by a man angry that he hadn’t received a position in Garfield’s administration, Charles Guiteau.

When Sam Cooke’s life was tragically cut short at the age of 33, two funeral services were held in separate states to accommodate the hundreds of thousands of people who wanted to pay their respects. His music would serve as a guiding light through the second half of the 1960s as America negotiated a new relationship with race, identity, and culture. Parcasters - The Dark Side Of continues its exploration of the music industry this week with an episode on K-Pop and the pressure placed on the genre’s biggest stars by their management companies. Listen to The Dark Side Of on Spotify!

On the evening of December 10, 1964, singer Sam Cooke checked into a motel expecting a sexual dalliance with one of his fans.  In the early hours of the next morning, he was shot to death by the motel manager.  While she later claimed self-defense, many believe Cooke was assassinated for his civil rights activism. Parcasters - If you enjoyed this episode you’ll love our current series on The Dark Side Of! Check out our recent episodes on the lesser known stories surrounding Jackie Wilson, and Elvis Presley. Search for The Dark Side Of on Spotify today!

Jeremias Chitunda spent his adult life fighting to liberate colonial Angola, and then battling against communist rebels. But he continued to sacrifice his ideals to his president's ego and US interests until a deadly massacre erupted in late Halloween, 1992. Parcasters - This week on The Dark Side Of...Music, we take a look at the Man in Black, Johnny Cash! Give it a listen today on Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

The Good King Wenceslaus, or as he was originally known, Duke Václav I, sought to bring Christianity to Bohemia and maintain peace with the Holy Roman Empire. He was thwarted in both these efforts when his brother, Boleslav the Cruel, stabbed him to death on the steps of a church in Prague in 935. Sponsors! Care/of - For 25% off your first Care/of order, go to Take Care Of dot com and enter NATIONS.

Harvey Milk's abrupt murder left the gay community of the late 1970s reeling.  Tensions only mounted when his killer was acquitted after mounting the so-called, "Twinkie Defense" sparking San Francisco's infamous White Night Riots. Parcasters - On tomorrow’s episode of Mythology, we take on the legendary Odyssey, bringing the incredible journey to life! Subscribe to MYTHOLOGY today to hear the most notable stories in human history as you never have before.

In 1978 Harvey Milk became the first openly gay man to ever win an elected office in the US. He was initially friends and allies with fellow City Supervisor Daniel White, until a grudge spurred White to sneak a gun into city hall and commit a double homicide. Parcasters - This week on The Dark Side Of, we move on from Hollywood and start our exploration of the music industry. Our first episode details the myth of the 27 Club, you won't want to miss it! Subscribe to The Dark Side Of on Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

In March 1969, James Earl Ray pled guilty to the murder of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. at the Lorraine Motel. Three days later, he rescinded his confession and declared that he was a fall man for a larger conspiracy.  His claims sparked dozens of conspiracy theories that persist to this day. Parcasters - Don’t miss all of our special Summer of ‘69 episodes by subscribing to Parcast Presents: Summer of ‘69, on Spotify, or anywhere you listen to podcasts!

Two martyrs were made in Delhi on October 31, 1984: Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who was shot to death by her bodyguard Beant Singh; and Singh, who was shot to death by other members of the Prime Minister's security force. Both sides of the conflict between the Indian government and the Sikh religion were rallied to action, but there was much more bloodshed to come before they could find peace. Parcasters - This week on Survival we cover the experiences of two brothers in the Civil War, and the way their lives changed in an instant. Tune in today on Spotify or wherever you listen to Parcast Originals!

Every member of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's security team was hand-picked and thoroughly vetted to ensure their loyalty. One of her most trusted bodyguards, 25-year-old Beant Singh, protected the Prime Minister's life with unwavering devotion for years - until 1984, when Gandhi authorized an attack on the Golden Temple of Amritsar, the holiest site of the Sikh religion.  Parcasters - The Red Scare infiltrates the movie industry in our new episodes of The Dark Side Of...Hollywood. Listen now on Spotify, or wherever you get your Parcast Originals!

When Joy Adamson's body was discovered by her assistant in 1980, it was quickly assumed that she had been attacked by a lion. But when the investigation led to former employee, Paul Ekai, his confession and retraction only added to the mystery.  Parcasters - How do you delegitimize a queen? Ensnare her in a diamond heist, of course! Tune in to GONE this week to hear about the plot to steal Marie Antoinette's diamond necklace. Listen to GONE on Spotify or wherever you get your Parcast Originals!

In 1960, Joy Adamson published her book Born Free, which chronicled her time raising an orphan lioness to be able to survive the Kenyan wild. But for Paul Ekai, a former employee, Joy's tyrannical approach to how she handled her staff drove him to do the unthinkable. Parcasters - This week on The Dark Side Of we dig into the trial of Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle, and the media frenzy that followed. You might think you know the story, but the truth is much darker! Available now on Spotify or wherever you listen to Parcast!

When he took aim at the Archduke on June 28th, 1914, Gavrilo Princip hoped to end the Austrian Empire’s reign and cement his place in history as a revolutionary. He succeeded - and started a world war in the process. Parcasters - This week on The Dark Side Of.. we cover the tragic story of “The Hollywoodland Sign Girl” an upcoming actress who succumbed to the pressure of stardom, and forever changed what we think of when we see the sign up on the hill. Available now at parcast.com/darkside

Gavrilo Princip grew up on stories of Serbian martyrs who died defending their country from oppression. In 1914, at the age of 19, Gavrilo resolved to join their ranks by killing the Archduke of Austria-Hungary, Franz Ferdinand. Sponsors!  Upstart - Hurry to Upstart.com/NATIONS to find out HOW LOW your Upstart rate is. Checking your rate only takes a few minutes—and won’t affect your credit!

When former Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa was gunned down by a band of assassins in 1923, suspicion immediately swirled around the sitting president, Álvaro Obregón. The murder’s aftermath threatened to launch Mexico into another bloody civil war. Parcasters - Theodosia Burr Alston is more than a character in a song from Hamilton! Find out about her life and mysterious disappearance this week on Gone! Available now at parcast.com/gone

It is widely believed the President of Mexico, Álvaro Obregón, was behind the 1923 murder of Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa. After losing countless battles, and his right arm, to Villa’s militia, Obregón certainly had a reason to want revenge. Sponsors! Upstart - Hurry to Upstart.com/NATIONS to find out HOW LOW your Upstart rate is. Checking your rate only takes a few minutes—and won’t affect your credit!

After slaying Emperor Caligula, Cassius Chaera ordered the Praetorian Guard to kill every living member of Caligula’s family line and liberate Rome from the corrupt royal bloodline. But an oversight would threw Rome into more chaos than anyone could have imagined. Parcasters - What is it like being inside of an erupting stratovolcano? Only one way to find out! Listen to this week's episode of SURVIVAL on the 1993 eruption of the Galeras Volcano in Colombia. Available now at parcast.com/survival

The son of a famed Roman general, Caligula, was beloved by the Roman military from his infancy. But the young emperor's cruelty and reckless behavior pushed the head of his military guard, renowned war hero Cassius Chaera, to topple the ruler he'd helped create. Sponsors! Upstart - Hurry to Upstart.com/NATIONS to find out HOW LOW your Upstart rate is. Checking your rate only takes 2 minutes—and won’t affect your credit!

The weekend after Thanksgiving in 1992, Sara Tokars was kidnapped from her driveway and shot in the head on a quiet street in Cobb County, Georgia. The eyewitness descriptions of her assailant - a young black man with a gun - painted a vivid portrait for the media of urban crime seeping into the suburbs. But as the truth unraveled, the full story became much more complicated, and more worrisome.  Parcasters - You asked for it, and we listened. The infamous Jimmy Hoffa case is being explored today on GONE. Check it out after this episode at parcast.com/gone

When Sara Ambrusko married her childhood neighbor Fred Tokars in 1986, she thought she'd found her ticket to a life of safety and security in the idyllic suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia. But the secrets Fred kept locked away in their basement would put them both in life-or-death danger.  Sponsors! Upstart - Hurry to Upstart.com/NATIONS to find out HOW LOW your Upstart rate is. Checking your rate only takes 2 minutes—and won’t affect your credit!

Just days after the Civil War came to an end in 1865, the nation was thrown into chaos once again when President Abraham Lincoln was killed. The ensuing manhunt for his killer, John Wilkes Booth, would test the loyalties of the still-divided country. Parcasters - What was it like to live through the Titanic tragedy? Find out today on survival! Available now at parcast.com/survival

John Wilkes Booth was a nationally-renowned star actor, but his most memorable performance at Ford's Theater in D.C. would take place in the presidential box. On April 14, 1865, when the Civil War was all but officially over, Booth and his co-conspirators set in motion a last-ditch plan to destabilize the Union government. Sponsors! Upstart - Hurry to Upstart.com/NATIONS to find out HOW LOW your Upstart rate is. Checking your rate only takes 2 minutes—and won’t affect your credit!

Famed actor John Wilkes Booth was rehearsing with a touring company in St. Louis, when he pointed a prop pistol at his castmate and said, "If you were President Abraham Lincoln, what a chance I'd have." He may have been joking at the time, but two years later in 1865, Booth's chance finally arrived.  Parcasters - Need some more true crime history? Check out this weeks episode of Serial killers on the ruthless Cleveland Torso Murderer.

As the sun began to set in Guyana on November 18, 1978, five bodies laid dead on the Port Kaituma airstrip. But the real carnage was still to come. By nightfall, over 900 people would be dead at the Peoples Temple’s Jonestown compound. Sponsors! Robinhood - Robinhood is giving listeners of Assassinations a FREE stock like Apple, Ford, or Sprint to help you build your portfolio. Sign up at Nations.Robinhood.com. Upstart - Hurry to Upstart.com/NATIONS to find out HOW LOW your Upstart rate is. Checking your rate only takes 2 minutes and won’t affect your credit!

In this special crossover with the hosts from Cults, we explore the charismatic preacher, Jim Jones, and his congregation’s move from San Francisco to the newly-constructed jungle settlement of Jonestown, Guyana in 1977. The move was intended to keep the Peoples Temple far away from the prying eyes of the U.S. government and media, who'd been looking into Jones' abuses and financial crimes.  Parcasters - Check out our new podcast, SURVIVAL! Our first episode covers the incredible story of a North Korean defector, out now at parcast.com/survival

Prince Felix Yusupov's perfectly-laid plans to kill Rasputin didn't go as smoothly as he'd hoped. By the time the affair was over in 1916, Rasputin was poisoned, beaten, shot and drowned.The Bolshevik Revolution had officially begun.  Sponsors! Upstart - Hurry to Upstart.com/NATIONS to find out HOW LOW your Upstart rate is. Checking your rate only takes 2 minutes—and won’t affect your credit!

Amidst the slow decline of the Russian aristocracy, a drunk, uneducated peasant arrived in St. Petersburg claiming to have mystical powers. His name was Grigori Rasputin and he became one of the Tsar's most trusted advisors. In 1916, a wealthy young aristocrat Prince Felix Yusupuv, saw a chance to redeem his reputation by saving Russia from its massively unpopular wizard-advisor.  Parcasters - What was behind Rasputin’s supposed powers? We may never know, but we can try to find out. If you’re interested in the obscure or occult, check out our Unexplained Mysteries podcast today! Available at parcast.com/unexplained

On February 21st, 1965, multiple shooters opened fire at the Audubon Ballroom in New York City. Within half an hour, Malcolm X was pronounced dead and Talmadge Hayer was in police custody. However, in the coming days, investigators were met with more questions than answers. Parcasters - If you found yourself fascinated by this story of an American icon, check out our our new episode on John McCain on HOSTAGE, wherever you get your shows. Listen now at parcast.com/hostage Sponsors! Robinhood - Robinhood is giving listeners of Assassinations a FREE stock like Apple, Ford, or Sprint to help you build your portfolio. Sign up at Nations.Robinhood.com.

In March of 1964, Malcolm X officially broke away from the Nation of Islam to start his own organization. His rivalry with his former mentor, NOI leader Elijah Muhammad, quickly escalated from a personal dispute to an ideological battle with international consequences. After nearly a year of conflict, NOI enforcers were dispatched to silence their defector once and for all. Parcasters - Don't miss the thrilling conclusion of the Harold Nokes loves triangle on Crimes of Passion! Catch up now at parcast.com/passion

Orphan. Conman. Felon. Prisoner. Messiah. Malcolm X emerged from a life of crime, reborn under the gospel of the Nation of Islam and its leader, Elijah Muhammad. But as Malcolm came to national attention as the face and voice of "Black Nationalism" in the late 1950s, rifts began to form in the organization, and soon Malcolm would be in danger... not from outside forces, but from men within his own brotherhood. Sponsors! Upstart - Hurry to Upstart.com/NATIONS to find out how low your Upstart rate is! Checking your rate only takes 2 minutes—and won’t affect your credit!

A devout Muslim, teacher and scholar, he originally set out to help Egypt return to its more culturally focused roots. Instead, the Brotherhood he helped create began using violence to achieve its goals. On February 12th, 1949, Hassan al-Banna saw firsthand the violence he was trying to rein in.  Parcasters - Be sure to check out our newest podcast Extraterrestrial! It’s out of this world!  Listen at parcast.com/extraterrestrial

In 1949, Egypt was on the brink. The rapidly growing Muslim Brotherhood had struck out against the government in opposition to the actions of King Farouk I. Farouk, a young and inexperienced King of Egypt. As the violence increased, and both sides prepared for war, one man would pay the price: Hassan al-Banna. Parcasters - Be sure to check out Bill’s new show Extraterrestrial! Listen at parcast.com/extraterrestrial!

In less than 24 hours, this famous Denver radio host’s murder became headline news across the nation. Radio stations around the country became fearful of copycat crimes and upped their security. This tragic event made the public aware that militant white supremacist groups were active and a dangerous threat in the 1980s. Parcasters - After this episode of Assassinations, go check out the abduction of Barney and Betty Hill on our new show Extraterrestrial. Listen at parcast.com/extraterrestrial 

He was a radio host in Denver that everyone loved to hate, building a career out of insulting everyone, even his own listeners. In 1984, Alan Berg was silenced forever by a militant white supremacist group. Parcasters - If you can’t get enough of Assassinations, be sure to check out our episode of  Conspiracy Theories on Martin Luther King Jr., out today! Listen now at parcast.com/conspiracy

In the last years of his reign, this Emperor was known for his frequent and extreme executions. When his mistress discovers her name on his list of people who should be killed, she takes matters into her own hands. This marks the beginning of the end of the Roman Empire. Sponsors! Upstart - So Hurry to Upstart dot com slash NATIONS to find out HOW LOW your Upstart rate is! Checking your rate only takes 2 minutes—and won’t affect your credit!

Known as one of the most egotistical Roman emperors, Commodus famously commissioned statues depicting himself as the mythical hero Hercules. He regularly fought as a gladiator, and claimed to be the son of Jupiter. Ultimately his megalomania would be his downfall, when in 192, a conspiracy formed by his mistress and the praetorian prefect went into action. Parcast News - Be sure to check out Parcast’s first fictional crime show MIND’S EYE at Parcast.com/MindsEye!

Environmentalists are accustomed to large corporations villainizing them. From the 1970s to the early 2000s, Sister Dorothy was no exception, turning the wealthiest landowners in Brazil against her. She was prepared to pay the ultimate sacrifice in order to be a catalyst for change. 

Known as the “Angel of the Amazon” she dedicated her life to protecting the poor in the 1970s to early 2000s. In order to lure multinational corporations, Brazil would bribe officials to acquire land, obtain false titles, and evict settlers. Dorothy Mae Stang was a fierce opponent to these unethical practices, and worked tirelessly to protect small-scale farmers during a time of upheaval in Brazil. Sponsors! Audible - Listen to “Evil Has A Name” only on Audible. Listen now at Audible.com/EvilAssassinations. Sun Basket - Go to SunBasket.com/ASSASSINATIONS today to learn more and get $35 off your first order!

As a beacon of progressive hope among the desperate people of Brazil, Marielle Franco made it her life’s mission to help the impoverished and fight police corruption. She was elected councilor in 2017 in a country where political power isn’t always feasible for black, queer politicians. Franco’s supporters believe that her murder was politically motivated, and her killers have yet to be identified. Parcast Network - Check out our new show Hostage at https://www.parcast.com/hostage.

News of Selena’s death shocked her beloved fanbase, and the nation. During Yolanda Saldivar’s sensational trial, her attorneys claimed that she had meant to kill herself but the gun misfired in Selena’s direction. If Selena’s life hadn’t ended so suddenly, the world of music would be vastly different today.  Thank you for listening to our new show! If you liked this episode, leave us a nice review, it really helps new listeners find the podcast. Sponsors! Sun Basket - Go to SunBasket.com/ASSASSINATIONS today to learn more and get $35 off your first order!

The Queen of Tejano Music was only 23 when she was shot and killed by her best friend, personal assistant, and President of her fan club, Yolanda Saldivar in 1995. The icon was declared dead at The Days Inn in Corpus Christi, Texas after Yolanda shot her in the back. What lead Selena's best friend to assassinate her? Sponsors! Audible - Get 3 months of Audible for just $6.95 a month by going to Audible.com/ASSASSINATIONS or text ASSASSINATIONS to 500 500.

President John F. Kennedy was pronounced dead at 1 p.m. on November 22nd, 1963. The fallout of his death would change the course of history for America and for the world. What would America be like if John F. Kennedy had survived? New Shows! Parcast Network - Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe to our other new podcasts Hostage and Kingpins.

November 22nd, 1963, was supposed to be a special day. President John Kennedy had traveled to Dallas, Texas, to attend to some political matters in preparation for his upcoming re-election campaign. But, by the time the sun set, the President would be dead, and police would have in custody the shooter: Lee Harvey Oswald.  Kingpins - Don't forget to listen to Kate's other Podcast Kingpins now!

Loner. Drop out. Marine. Defector. Husband. Father. Lee Harvey Oswald was all of these things, but on November 22, 1963, he came to only be known as the man who killed President John F. Kennedy.

People who defied society. Bullets that defiled bodies. Deaths that define history. Assassinations recounts the lead-up, the fall-out, and impact of history’s most dramatic deaths. Within each story, we explore the people who picked the target, pulled the trigger, or poured the poison. Assassinations launches November 19th, with a new episode every Monday. Assassinations is a production of Cutler Media and part of the Parcast Network.