Most Notorious! A True Crime History Podcast

In the autumn of 1920, two couples pulled into a campsite in Central Park, Montana, but only one left alive. Seth and Iva Danner would eventually turn on each other with their own versions of how John and Florence Sprouse were murdered, but only Seth would be tried, convicted, and put to death. And questions still linger - about whether justice was truly served. My guest, Kelly Suzanne Hartman, author of "Murder Along the Yellowstone Trail: The Execution of Seth Danner" chats with me about the case. More information about her and her book can be discovered at: https://www.mountainstudio308.com/

Somehow Jane Toppan managed to skirt through the first half of her life murdering people at will, before finally being caught and committed to an insane asylum in 1901. Her nursing background made her an expert with drugs, and she used that expertise to kill over thirty people, often torturing them by purposely prolonging their suffering. My guest is Mary Kay McBrayer, and she shares some stories about Jane's nefarious activities from her book: "America's First Serial Killer: Jane Toppan and the Making of a Monster." You can find more information about Mary Kay, her book, and the podcast she hosts, called "Everything Trying to Kill You", at https://www.marykaymcbrayer.com .

In late August of 1876, an eighty-two-year-old Methodist minister, William England, his wife Selena, and two of their children were slaughtered on their North Texas farm. Selena, on her deathbed, insisted that one of the murderers was their neighbor, Ben Krebs, with whom they had suffered some ongoing troubles. But was he the actual killer, or did someone else, with another motive, murder the England family that hot summer night? My guest is Glen Sample Ely, and in his book, "Murder in Montague: Frontier Justice & Retribution in Texas", he lays out evidence to suggest that Ben Krebs and his friends were wrongly convicted in the slayings.

In late 1960s a serial murder stalked the city of London, Ontario, killing at will and baffling police. My guest is author, bookstore owner and historian Vanessa Brown. She has spent countless hours researching these horrific murders and looking for the killer, and joins us to share details and theories from her book, "The Forest City Killer: A Serial Murderer, a Cold-Case Sleuth, and a Search for Justice."

Francis Tumblety was one America's greatest 19th century charlatans. A medical quack who became rich peddling cure-all herbal remedies, his larger-than-life character and questionable morals put him into some sticky situations - including being arrested as a suspect in the Lincoln assassination. But his most notorious claim to fame, was as a primary Scotland Yard suspect in the Jack the Ripper murders. My guest, Michael L. Hawley, author of "Jack the Ripper SUSPECT Dr. Francis Tumblety", shares his research and presents some of the evidence that suggests that Tumblety should be taken far more seriously as a suspect than he has been. More information about Michael Hawley can be found at his website: michaellhawley.com He is also a co-host of the podcast, House of Mystery Radio: https://shows.acast.com/houseofmysteryradio/about

In the first few months of 1931, Francis "Two Gun" Crowley, an illiterate, psychopathic nineteen-year-old kid, went on a violent New York crime spree, which included murdering a Nassau county cop named Fred Hirsch. Things culminated in an intense gun-battle against between Crowley and over two hundred police officers, who had surrounded his Manhattan apartment building.  My guest is Jerry Aylward, a retired New York detective of thirty two years, who has written the definitive book on the subject, entitled "Francis 'Two Gun' Crowley's Killings in New York City & Long Island".  More information can be found about him and his book at his website: jerryaylward.com.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the first few months of 1931, Francis "Two Gun" Crowley, an illiterate, psychopathic nineteen-year-old kid, went on a violent New York crime spree, which included murdering a Nassau county cop named Fred Hirsch. Things culminated in an intense gun-battle against between Crowley and over two hundred police officers, who had surrounded his Manhattan apartment building.  My guest is Jerry Aylward, a retired New York detective of thirty two years, who has written the definitive book on the subject, entitled "Francis 'Two Gun' Crowley's Killings in New York City & Long Island".  More information can be found about him and his book at his website: jerryaylward.com.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Enjoy this sneak-peak of Aghast at the Past: 1892, a brand-new podcast from the creator of Most Notorious. Ghastly true-crime stories culled from newspapers published in the dark heart of America's Gilded-Age and the golden era of yellow journalism. Please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts to ensure immediate delivery of new episodes! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Enjoy this sneak-peak of Aghast at the Past: 1892, a brand-new podcast from the creator of Most Notorious. Ghastly true-crime stories culled from newspapers published in the dark heart of America's Gilded-Age and the golden era of yellow journalism. Please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts to ensure immediate delivery of new episodes! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In February of 1903, wealthy businessman Ed Burdick was beaten to death in the den of his Buffalo, New York mansion. Investigators were faced with a strange crime scene and a multitude of suspects. Among them was his own wife Alice and her lover, a close family friend named Arthur Pennell.  My guest, Kimberly Tilley, author of "Cold Heart: The Great Unsolved Mystery of Turn of the Century Buffalo," comes on Most Notorious to share the salacious details of a scandal and murder that rocked the city to its core.  More information about Kimberly Tilley's book can be found at her website: www.oldspirituals.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In February of 1903, wealthy businessman Ed Burdick was beaten to death in the den of his Buffalo, New York mansion. Investigators were faced with a strange crime scene and a multitude of suspects. Among them was his own wife Alice and her lover, a close family friend named Arthur Pennell.  My guest, Kimberly Tilley, author of "Cold Heart: The Great Unsolved Mystery of Turn of the Century Buffalo," comes on Most Notorious to share the salacious details of a scandal and murder that rocked the city to its core.  More information about Kimberly Tilley's book can be found at her website: www.oldspirituals.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My guest, historian and author Tui Snider shares the wild story of the ill-fated Helms-Ratliff gang, who held up the First National Bank in Cisco, Texas on December 23rd, 1927. Eager to collect a $5000 "Dead Bank Robber Reward", townspeople converged on the bank, and during an intense gun battle the police chief, his deputy and one of the gang members were slain. Eventually Marshall Ratliff, who famously wore a Santa Claus suit to the botched robbery, would be lynched after murdering a jailer as he awaited execution. Tui Snider's book is called "Santa Claus Bank Robbery: A True Crime Saga in Texas", her website is tuisnider.com, and she can be found on YouTube under the name "Tui Snider Exploring Historic Cemeteries".  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My guest, historian and author Tui Snider shares the wild story of the ill-fated Helms-Ratliff gang, who held up the First National Bank in Cisco, Texas on December 23rd, 1927. Eager to collect a $5000 "Dead Bank Robber Reward", townspeople converged on the bank, and during an intense gun battle the police chief, his deputy and one of the gang members were slain. Eventually Marshall Ratliff, who famously wore a Santa Claus suit to the botched robbery, would be lynched after murdering a jailer as he awaited execution. Tui Snider's book is called "Santa Claus Bank Robbery: A True Crime Saga in Texas", her website is tuisnider.com, and she can be found on YouTube under the name "Tui Snider Exploring Historic Cemeteries".  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In March of 1950, a young woman named JoAnn Dewey, trying to get home, was beaten and kidnapped on a Vancouver, Washington street corner, in full view of witnesses. None lifted a finger to help. A week later her body would turn up in a river a few miles away.   My guest is Pat Jollota, author of "The Murder of JoAnn Dewey in Vancouver, Washington". She joins me to share the tragic story of JoAnn's murder, and how investigators finally found her killers.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In March of 1950, a young woman named JoAnn Dewey, trying to get home, was beaten and kidnapped on a Vancouver, Washington street corner, in full view of witnesses. None lifted a finger to help. A week later her body would turn up in a river a few miles away.  My guest is Pat Jollota, author of "The Murder of JoAnn Dewey in Vancouver, Washington". She joins me to share the tragic story of JoAnn's murder, and how investigators finally found her killers.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1840s America produced some colorful characters, and none more so than James Jesse Strang. After declaring himself a Mormon prophet, Strang moved his small congregation to Michigan's Beaver Island, proclaimed himself king, and created a criminal enterprise, before finally meeting his death at the hands of his own followers.  My guest, bestselling author Miles Harvey, shares some astonishing stories about one of America's very first confidence men. His book is called "The King of Confidence: A Tale of Utopian Dreamers, Frontier Schemers, True Believers, False Prophets, and the Murder of an American Monarch".   More information on the author and his book can be found at his website: milesharvey.com . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1840s America produced some colorful characters, and none more so than James Jesse Strang. After declaring himself a Mormon prophet, Strang moved his small congregation to Michigan's Beaver Island, proclaimed himself king, and created a criminal enterprise, before finally meeting his death at the hands of his own followers.  My guest, bestselling author Miles Harvey, shares some astonishing stories about one of America's very first confidence men. His book is called "The King of Confidence: A Tale of Utopian Dreamers, Frontier Schemers, True Believers, False Prophets, and the Murder of an American Monarch".   More information on the author and his book can be found at his website: milesharvey.com . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the morning of June 10, 1937, New York heiress Alice Parsons disappeared off the face of the earth.  Investigators almost immediately suspected that Anna Kupryanova, the Russian housekeeper, and Alice's husband, William Parsons, knew more than they were letting on.  My guest is former NYPD detective and Hot Zone Attribution specialist Steven C. Drielak, and his book is called "Long Island’s Vanished Heiress: The Unsolved Alice Parsons Kidnapping". He shares his research and personal theories about one of New York's greatest unsolved mysteries. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the morning of June 10, 1937, New York heiress Alice Parsons disappeared off the face of the earth.  Investigators almost immediately suspected that Anna Kupryanova, the Russian housekeeper, and Alice's husband, William Parsons, knew more than they were letting on.  My guest is former NYPD detective and Hot Zone Attribution specialist Steven C. Drielak, and his book is called "Long Island’s Vanished Heiress: The Unsolved Alice Parsons Kidnapping". He shares his research and personal theories about one of New York's greatest unsolved mysteries. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On February 10, 1918, the Power family, holed up in their cabin  in Arizona's  isolated Galiuro Mountains, suddenly found themselves surrounded by a small posse. Law enforcement officials were there to arrest two of the Power sons for draft evasion. After a few minutes of confusion, a shootout ensued, tragically ending with four casualties. Adding to the drama, the only daughter of the family had died under mysterious circumstances two months earlier.  My guest is Heidi Osselaer, retired professor and author. Her book is called "Arizona's Deadliest Gunfight: Draft Resistance & Tragedy at the Power Cabin, 1918".  She was also a consultant on the award-winning documentary, Powers War. Become a Most Notorious patron! Go to www.patreon.com/mostnotorious. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices