Unsolved Murders: True Crime Stories

On February 14th, 1929, Chicago was shocked by the most violent crime the city had ever seen, when 7 gang affiliated men were gunned down simultaneously. The attack was the culmination of a gang war that had lasted for 9 years, and had a marked effect on organized crime in the city for years afterwards.

Humans are the most adaptable species on the planet. We endure fierce blizzards, build communities in the blistering heat of the Sahara, erect societies on mountains. Our new podcast, NATURAL DISASTERS reminds us Mother Nature is ultimately always in control. In this clip, we take you through the 1883 eruption of Krakatoa, a massive volcanic event that took both native Indonesian peoples and Dutch colonists by surprise. Subscribe to NATURAL DISASTERS to listen to the rest of this episode!

The Springfield, New Jersey police were never able to attach any likely suspects to Jeannette DePalma's 1972 murder. But thirty years later, her case resurfaced. And everyone in Springfield had something to say about it. They pointed to plenty of suspects the police never considered and sinister connections between Jeannette's death and several other brutal New Jersey murders. 

16-year-old Jeannette DePalma disappeared one August afternoon in 1972 in the quiet suburb of Springfield, New Jersey. Six weeks later, her body was found decaying on a wooded bluff. It was surrounded by what some investigators thought were satanic symbols. But as the story of ritual sacrifice took off in newspapers around the tristate area, investigators failed to make headway on the strange case.  Parcasters - Which UFO sighting kicked off the alien craze? It wasn’t Roswell! Subscribe to Extraterrestrial today to learn about the close encounter that started it all, the Mount Rainier flying saucer sighting. Search for Extraterrestrial on Spotify to listen now!

In the early months of 1899, Richard Burgess was arrested for the murder of three members of the Murphy family in Gatton, Australia. But the investigation had been plagued by oversights from the beginning. Was an innocent man taking the fall for the true culprit? Sponsors! Native - For 20% off your first purchase, visit NativeDeodorant.com and use promo code UNSOLVED during checkout!

Crime never takes a day off, and neither do we. In our new podcast, TODAY IN TRUE CRIME, every day, we flip back the calendar and examine a true crime event from the same date years ago. In this clip, we look back at August 19th, 1970, when John Norman Collins was convicted of the murder of 21-year-old Karen Sue Beineman. Subscribe to TODAY IN TRUE CRIME for a new story every day!

On the day after Christmas, 1898, three siblings were murdered in the town of Gatton, Australia. But no one could imagine anyone wanting to hurt any members of the upstanding Murphy family. So could the crime have been committed by an outsider, or was there a darker side to the family hidden under their veneer of respectability? Sponsors! Embrace Pet Insurance - For 20% off your first purchase, visit NativeDeodorant.com and use promo code UNSOLVED during checkout!

In October of 1953, a young Roman actress claimed that Wilma Montesi had died after attending a drug-fueled orgy at an exclusive Capocotta estate. A short time later, another woman came forward to substantiate the claims. Their accusations launched a massive political scandal and investigation that unveiled crime and corruption by members of the Roman elite. 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.

From counterfeit goods, to fake love interests, and even major financial fraud, you will find it all in our new show. In this Parcast Original, we examine the swindlers behind the scam, and the victims manipulated by their deceit. In CON ARTISTS you will learn about the art of the hustle, and the ways you can spot a con.  In this clip, we explore the massive Ponzi scheme orchestrated by fraudster Bernie Madoff. Subscribe to CON ARTISTS on Spotify or wherever you listen to Parcast to listen to the rest of this episode!

In April of 1953, the body of a young woman washed up on a remote, private beach outside of Rome. Her shoes, skirt, stockings, and garter belt were missing. She was identified as Wilma Montesi, the 21-year-old daughter of a carpenter who lived with her family in a flat in the city.  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 late 1969, the body of a girl who had been stabbed to death was found in a tree just off Mulholland Drive, in Los Angeles, California. The body was unidentifiable, and was thus dubbed "Jane Doe #59." The investigation had no leads to investigate until decades later, when a sheer coincidence would bring the infamous Manson Family into the fold. 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! Sponsors! Embrace Pet Insurance - Get your FREE quote at EmbracePetInsurance.com/ UNSOLVED right now! Native - For 20% off your first purchase, visit NativeDeodorant.com and use promo code UNSOLVED during checkout!

In 1936, Walter Liggett was shot to death outside his home. His wife Edith is certain she knows who the gunman is, and why he killed him. Despite this, she is skeptical about her own chances of winning the trial.  Sponsors! Gabi - Take 2 minutes and see if you can save up to $865 when you go to Gabi.com/UNSOLVED. Grove Collaborative - Go to Grove.co/UNSOLVED to get a FREE 5-piece Spring Cleaning Set from Mrs. Meyer’s and Grove — a $30 value!

On December 9th, 1935, Walter Liggett pulled up to his house in Minneapolis with his wife and daughter in the car. As soon as he stepped out, he was cut down in a hail of bullets from a passing car. A number of infamous gangsters and politicians were named as potential suspects, but no one has ever been charged for the death of this radical journalist. Sponsors! Zola - To start your free wedding website and also get $50 off your registry on Zola, go to Zola.com/UNSOLVED

In the summer of 1913, Jewish Superintendent Leo M. Frank was tried for the murder of the Mary Phagan. The explosive trial and its controversial verdict sparked a fierce battle between the superintendent’s supporters and detractors, with one side raising accusations of anti-Semitism and the other rallying against Northern intervention. The struggle culminated in a shocking attack on a U.S. Federal Penitentiary and a violent lynching.  Parcasters - Was Leo Frank guilty or innocent? If you’re enjoying following the case as it develops in Unsolved Murders, you’ll love our other podcast Not Guilty, where we cover the most incredible acquittals and exonerations throughout history. Search for Not Guilty on Spotify, or wherever you listen to Parcast Originals!

On April 26th, 1913, Mary Phagan, 13, was strangled to death in the basement of the National Pencil Company factory in Atlanta. The police quickly came to suspect Leo M. Frank, the Jewish Superintendent, but their case against him became more complicated when the factory sweeper Jim Conley admitted to writing a pair of bizarre notes found by the body. Parcasters - Tony Alamo was a conman who built an empire, but how did he do it? Find out this week on Cults! Available on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts!

When Republican politician John M. Clayton was assassinated in 1889, many suspected that he was killed by the same people who had conspired to keep him from winning the election. However, knowing the identity of an assassin and proving that assassin's guilt would prove to be two drastically different things. Sponsors! Best Fiends - Best Fiends is a 5-star rated mobile game app available for download FREE on the Apple App Store and Google Play. That’s FRIENDS without the R, Best Fiends! Gabi - Take two minutes and see if you can save up to $865 a year on car insurance at Gabi.com/UNSOLVED. There are NO fees, NO forms, and NO spam.  Grove Collaborative - Go to Grove.co/UNSOLVED to get a FREE FIVE PIECE Spring Cleaning Set from Mrs. Meyer’s and Grove!

In 1888, the state of Arkansas was rampant with corruption and ballot tampering. So when state representative, John M. Clayton, lost his bid for Congress, he challenged the results and put his life in danger.  Sponsors! Best Fiends - Download FREE on the Apple App Store or Google Play. That’s FRIENDS without the R, Best Fiends!

On August 10th, 1981, a six-year-old boy’s severed head was discovered in a drainage canal in Hollywood, Florida. The investigation would turn up one very likely suspect, but complications would halt any progress made in the investigation for years after Adam Walsh’s death.  Sponsors! The Farmer’s Dog - Get 50% off your two week trial of fresh, healthy food at TheFarmersDog.com/UNSOLVED. Plus, you get FREE shipping!

On July 27th, 1981, a six year old boy named Adam Walsh was abducted from a Sears department store in Hollywood, Florida. The resulting investigation into Adam’s disappearance would feature one of the largest search parties ever organized, but it would only end in tragedy. Sponsors! Best Fiends - Don’t miss out on the must-play game of the year! Download Best Fiends for free on the Apple App Store or Google Play. That’s FRIENDS without the R, Best Fiends!

By February of 1937, Kingsbury Run, a railroad slum outside of Cleveland had seen six mutilated corpses scattered across their streets. The community turned to legendary lawman, Eliot Ness to solve the crimes and put a stop to the horrors. But sometimes, even legends fail to make a difference. Sponsors! Grove - Get a 3-piece cleaning set from Mrs. Meyer’s spring scents, a free 60-day VIP membership, and a surprise bonus gift when you sign up and place an order of $20 or more at Grove.co/UNSOLVED. ThirdLove - Go to ThirdLove.com/UNSOLVED now to find your perfect-fitting bra and get 15% off your first purchase!