Bonus Episode: Breaking Dawn (Part 2)
This Bonus Episode is brought to YOU by our friends at State Farm! Weirdos!! Get ready to return to Forks for the epic conclusion of our MORBID recap of the Twilight franchise! Today we're diving into Breaking Dawn (Part 2) and part 3 of the book, and what a gift it is! Bella is the BEST at everything, even though her selfishness gets the Cullens in hot water AGAIN! Jacob is the new creep on the block with his imprinting escapades. And the Volturi are walking... I guess? Prepare yourself for Alaina's masterful impression of Bella's singsong voice, worry with Ash about dear Charlie's heart health, and join us as we attempt to untangle the host of inconsistencies that had us angry, confused or howling with laughter! Grab the nearest tissue box and prepare to cry-laugh with us! Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash KelleyListener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra LallyListener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
The Aum Shinrikyo Cult & the Tokyo Gas Attack
On the morning of March 20, 1995, millions of rush hours commuters boarded trains across Tokyo, just as they countless other mornings. Unbeknownst those millions of riders, five of those trains were carrying large quantities of a nerve agent called Sarin, a colorless, odorless liquid that, when released into the air, can cause extreme respiratory problems and eventually death. As the trains traveled to their respective destinations through the underground system, the bags of Sarin became punctured and released the gas into the packed trains cars and within seconds, the first victims began dropping to floor, choking and vomiting. The Tokyo gas attacks killed thirteen people and injured nearly 6,000 others, and they remain the worst case of domestic terrorism in Japan’s history. Yet beyond the obvious trauma of the incident, the attack has left a deep wound in the nation’s psyche. When the perpetrators of the attack, a doomsday cult known as Aum Shinrikyo, were apprehended, the nation was shocked that a small religious cult had managed to cause such tremendous damage. Even now, thirty years later, the impact of Aum Shinrikyo and the sarin gas attacks are still felt around Japan. References BBC News. 2018. Aum Shinrikyo: The Japanese cult behind the Tokyo Sarin. July 6. Accessed July 16, 2025. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-35975069. Kristof, Nicholas D. 1995. "In shrine of Japan cult, police find labratory." New York Times, March 27: 2. —. 1995. "Japanese police raid the offices of a sect linked to poison gas." New York Times, March 22: 1. Monterey Institute of International Studies. 2016. Chronology or Aum Shinrikyo's CBQ Activities. Timeline , Monterey Institute of International Studies. Murakami, Haruki. 2001. Underground: The Tokyo Gas Attack and the Japanese Psyche. Translated by Alfred Birnbaum and Philip Gabriel. New York, NY: Vintage. Watanabe, Teresa. 1995. "Police seize toxic chemicals in raid on Japanese sect." Los Angeles Times, March 23: 1. —. 1995. "Raid on sect spurs civil-liberties worries." Los Angeles Times, March 23: 4. WuDunn, Sheryl. 1995. "Fear stalks Tokyo: safe no more." New York Times, March 21: 13. —. 1995. "Sect says government staged the gas attack." New York Times, March 22: 10. Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash KelleyListener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra LallyListener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Exclusive Sneak Peak: THE BUTCHER LEGACY Audiobook
Weirdos! We are 7 days away from PUB DAY for THE BUTCHER LEGACY, and we're celebrating with a special sneak peak of the audio title! We are thrilled to introduce you to the newest member of the cast, Cary Hite, who is narrating for detective John Leroux! Keep an eye on Instagram for additional clips with Sophie Amoss and Joe Knezevich! Preorder the Audiobook now! Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash KelleyListener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra LallyListener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
The Unsolved Murders of Barry and Honey Sherman
When a realtor entered the Toronto home of Barry and Honey Sherman on December 15, 2017, she expected the couple to be out of town and the house to be empty. The agent showed a young couple around the massive home, room by room, and when they reached the bottom floor, where the pool was located, they found the bodies of the Shermans, leather belts cinched around their necks and secured to a metal railing. To the Toronto Police Homicide Squad, the deaths of Barry and Honey were suspicious, but they were hesitant to label the deaths a homicide and thought it was possible they were dealing with a case of murder-suicide. There was no sign of forced entry, nothing appeared to be missing, and other than the belts around their necks, only Honey had suffered obvious injuries. It took multiple autopsies and significant advocacy from the family, but eventually the Sherman’s deaths were labeled a homicide. But the question remained, who would have wanted to kill the older couple, and if not for money, why? Mentioned in this Episode Preorder THE BUTCHER LEGACY! Can’t make it to The Butcher Legacy Book Tour in person? Buy a Virtual ticket and get a signed copy and stream the Event live on 8/11! References Campbell, Matthew. 2018. The unsolved murder of an unusual billionaire. October 24. Accessed July 26, 2026. https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2018-apotex-billionaire-murder/. Donovan, Kevin. 2019. The Billionaire Murders: The Mysterious Deaths of Barry and Honey Sherman . New York, NY: Viking. —. 2025. "'I'm playing blind' on who killed Barry and Honey Sherman, lead Toronto police detective admits." Toronto Star, October 28. —. 2019. "Police have working theory in Sherman case, court told." Toronto Star, April 25: 1. —. 2020. "Sherman probe focuses on video evidence." Toronto Star, Janaury 18: 1. Donovan, Kevin, Wendy Gillis, and Emma McIntosh. 2018. "Targeted." Toronto Star, January 27: 1. Friscolanti, Michael. 2018. What’s slowing the cops down at Apotex headquarters. January 29. Accessed July 27, 2026. https://macleans.ca/news/barry-and-honey-sherman-murders-whats-slowing-the-cops-down-at-apotex-headquarters/. Gibson, Victoria , and Janet Kerr. 2017. "Billionaire and his wife found dead in home." Toronto Star, December 16. Gillis, Wendy, and Tamar Harris. 2017. "Family of Apotex drug founder blast Toronto police, call for a 'thorough, objective' investigation ." Toronto Star, December 17. Kingston, Anne. 2018. The other side of Barry Sherman. April 5. Accessed July 27, 2026. https://macleans.ca/news/canada/barry-honey-sherman-murders/. Lancaster, John. 2021. Court documents reveal more details about 2017 homicides of Barry and Honey Sherman. January 5. Accessed July 27, 2026. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/barry-honey-sherman-murder-2021-1.5860527. McKeen, Alex. 2017. "'I have always been very conscious on my personal mortality'." Toronto Star, December 21: 1. Tsekouras, Phil. 2022. Relative believes 'someone was making a statement' in murder of Barry and Honey Sherman, unsealed documents show. January 14. Accessed July 26, 2026. https://www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/article/relative-believes-someone-was-making-a-statement-in-murder-of-barry-and-honey-sherman-unsealed-documents-show/. Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash KelleyListener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra LallyListener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
July Bonus Episode: Digging Into Exhumed with Aaron Mahnke
For this month's bonus episode, we are joined by one of our favorite storytellers, Aaron Mahnke of Lore Podcast, to discuss his upcoming book Exhumed: Unearthing the History of the American Vampire. We discuss this fascinating book which dives into one of history's strangest rabbit holes: the New England vampire panic. We touch on the tragic story of Mercy Brown, corpse medicine, pseudoscience, folklore, and the very real fears that led ordinary people to do some truly diabolical things! Aaron shares the inspiration for the book, some unconventional home theft deterrents, and talks about his favorite moments from his incredible podcast! Preorder Exhumed: Unearthing the History of the American Vampire Purchase tickets to see Aaron Mahnke in conversation with Alaina Urquhart at the Wilbur in Boston on 8/4/26! Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash KelleyListener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra LallyListener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Listener Tales 112: Vacation
Weirdos! Let's pack up the MORBID family station wagon and get ready to go on a little vacation! This time, Deb has found vacation tales that will have you freaked out AND cackling with laughter. OH! And these tales are BY you FOR you and ALL ABOUT YOU! So, buckle your seatbelt and hold onto your butts, friends! Check out the YOUTUBE version is packed with extra Nicholas footage! If you’ve got a listener tale please send it to Deb by emailing us at Morbidpodcast@gmail.com with “Listener Tales” somewhere in the subject line, and if you share pictures, please let us know if we can share them with fellow weirdos! :) Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash KelleyListener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra LallyListener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Lorena and John Wayne Bobbitt
After Lorenna Bobbitt’s husband John sexually assaulted her at their home in Virginia in the summer of 1993, she retaliated by waiting until he was asleep, she decided to fight back. Following the attack, Lorena fled the house in her car and eventually pulled over to the side of the road to call 911 and report the incident, at which time she was arrested. Though salacious, this incident of domestic violence would likely have gone unnoticed by the rest of the American public; however, at the time, debates about domestic violence and marital rape were raging and the Bobbitt case came to serve as an example of the consequences and effects of that violence, for arguments on both sides. As a result, the Bobbitt case became one of the most high-profile criminal cases in the country—and then it became a national joke. References Anolik, Lili. 2018. "Lorena Bobbitt's American Dream." Vanity Fair, June 28. Chozick, Amy. 2019. "You know the Lorena Bobbitt story. But not all of it." New York Times Magazine, January 30. Effron, Lauren, and Sean Dooley. 2019. John Bobbitt speaks out 25 years after wife infamously cut off his penis. January 4. Accessed July 10, 2026. https://abcnews.com/US/john-bobbitt-speaks-25-years-wife-infamously-cut/story?id=60023049. Labton, Stephen. 1993. "Husband acquitted of assault in mutilation case." New York Times, November 11: 18. Lentz, Kelsey. 2025. "Where Is Lorena Bobbitt Now? All About Her Life 32 Years After She Cut Her Husband's Genitals Off." People Magazine, June 23. New York Times. 1993. "Battle of the sexes joined in case of mutilation." New York Times, November 8: 16. —. 1993. "Husband tells court of sexual mutilation by wife." New York Times, November 10: 20. —. 1993. "Tearful woman tells jury why she cut off her husband's penis." New York Times, November 9: B8. —. 1993. "Tearful woman tells jury why she cut off her husband's penis." New York Times, November 9: B8. News, CBS. 2008. Lorena Bobbitt, 15 years later. June 25. Accessed July 14, 2026. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/lorena-bobbitt-15-years-later/. Potomac News. 1993. "Maimed man ponders TV offers for his story." Potomac News, July 11: 1. Silman, Anna. 2019. "The Bobbitt penis doctor on the surgery he'll never forget." The Cut, February 13. Tannenbaum, Denyse. 1993. "No rape, mutilated man says." Potomac News, July 13: 1. Valle, Ana. 1994. "Bobbitt trial to resume Tuesday after emotional Friday." Potomac News, January 16: 8. —. 1994. "Experts disagree on state of mind." Potomac News, January 19: 1. Williams, Marcia. 1993. "Ebert needs to watch his words carefully." Potomac News, December 3: 10. Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash KelleyListener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra LallyListener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
George Hassell: The Family Axeman
On the evening of December 24, 1926, a farmer in Farwell, Texas, called the sheriff to report that his neighbor, George Hassell, had been acting very strangely in recent days and he had been telling conflicting stories about the whereabouts of his family, who had been missing for several days. When the sheriff arrived at the Hassell farm, he began questioning George about where his family had gone, but mid conversation, Hassell removed a pocket knife from his pocket and stabbed himself three times in the chest. Hassell was taken to the hospital, where he was not expected to survive, but against the odds, George pulled through. With no option for escape and having given law enforcement good reason to suspect him in the disappearance of his family, George began confessing to multiple murders. At first, it was assumed he had flown into a rage and murdered his family a week earlier, but the more Hassell talked, the clearer it became that George Hassell violent and murderous behavior went well beyond the walls of his home in Farwell. References Associated Press. 1927. "Hassell death edict to stand." Fort Worth Record-Telegram, February 15: 1. —. 1928. "Hassell is fifth white man to chair." Fort Worth Record-Telegram, February 10: 1. —. 1926. "Sheriff expects full statement from Hassell." San Antonio Express-News, December 26: 1. —. 1928. "Slayer of 13 thanks judge for sentence." San Antonio Express-News, January 11: 1. Church, Marlowe. 2019. "Hassell offered detailed confession." Eastern New Mexico News, September 3. Morning Press . 1927. "Texas killer's name heard in Whittier case." Morning Press (Santa Barbara, CA), January 1: 1. Roth, Michael. 2022. Man with the Killer Smile: The Life and Crimes of a Serial Mass Murderer. Denton, TX: University of North Texas Press. San Antonio Express-News. 1927. "Hassell's California victims identified." San Antonio Express-News, February 12: 5. Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash KelleyListener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra LallyListener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Phantom Stalkers: The Halifax Slasher and The Hammersmith Ghost
In eighteenth and nineteenth century England, two phantom stalkers terrorized the public and captured the collective imagination to the point of violence. However, violent outcomes and legal consequences notwithstanding, neither phantom was ever anything more than a figment of people’s imaginations. References Associated Press. 1938. "Roving bands, armed with clubs, hunt Halifax Slasher." Sheboygan Press, November 29: 1. Daily Echo. 1938. "Halifax 'Slasher' a myth." Daily Echo, December 2: 14. Daily Record. 1938. "Maniac slasher terrorises women." Daily Record, November 28: 1. —. 1938. "Police say there is no slasher." Daily Record, December 2: 1. Daily Telegraph. 1938. "Man slashed in street." Daily Telegraph (London, UK), November 25: 16. Dorset Echo. 1938. "Slasher strikes for the 11th time." Dorset Echo, November 28: 1. Feikert-Ahalt, Clare. 2015. The Case of a Ghost Haunted England for Over Two Hundred Years. October 30. Accessed July 1, 2026. https://blogs.loc.gov/law/2015/10/the-case-of-a-ghost-haunted-england-for-over-two-hundred-years/. Herald Express. 1938. "Halifax 'Slasher' strikes again." Herald Express, November 28: 1. Kirby, R.S. 1804. Kirby's Wonderful and Scientific Museum: or Magazine of Remarkable Characters. London, UK: Lond House Yard. McArdle, Helen. 2022. "Panic around needle spiking amounts to psychogenic illness." The Herald, December 10: 20. Mitchell, Edwin Valentine. 1926. "Francis Smith: Condemned to death for the murder of a supposed ghost." In The Newgate calendar: Comprising interesting memoirs of the most notorious characters who have been convicted of outrages on the laws of England, by Edwin Valentine Mitchell. Garden City, NY: Garden City Publishing Company. South Wales Evening Post. 1938. "Halifax still fears 'The Slasher'." South Wales Evening Post, December 1: 1. Telegraph and Argus. 1927. "Dresses slashed with razor." Telegraph and Argus, February 16: 7. The Guardian. 1938. "Girl on mischief charge." The Guardian, December 14: 3. Western Mail. 1938. "Silent attacker alarms town; police reward offer." Western Mail, November 26: 7. Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash KelleyListener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra LallyListener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
The Green River Killer - Gary Ridgway (Part 4)
In the summer of 1982, it became obvious that a serial killer was operating in the Tacoma area and dumping his victims in the waters of the Green River. In time, The Green River Killer, as the press soon dubbed him, would claim a staggering number of victims to become the most prolific serial killer in American history, a title he would hold until relatively recently. References Associated Press. 1985. "Bones found near Portland were from woman on Green River list."Daily Herald (Everett, WA), June 15: 1. —. 1985. "Green River case is tough, but not impossible: expert."Daily Herald (Everett, WA), September 18: 13. —. 1984. "Woman is identified as 27th Green River victim."Daily Herald (Everett, WA), October 16: 21. —. 1986. "Green River: 35th victim is identified."Daily Herald (Evertt, WA), May 5: 6. —. 1985. "County welcomes FBI help in Green River case."Kitsap Sun (Bremerton, WA), September 13: 23. —. 2001. "Green River suspect arrested ."Kitsap Sun (Bremerton, WA), December 1: 1. —. 1985. "Detectives doubt Green River killer has moved to Portland."Longview Daily News (Longview, WA), Janaury 1: 9. —. 1989. "Green River tas force could fold within a year."News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), December 9: 16. —. 1983. "'Green River Killer' may have slain 19 women."Spokane Chronicle, November 12: 1. CNN. 2003..December 19. Accessed June 19, 2026. https://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/12/18/green.river.sentencing/. —. 2003.Green River Killer Gary Ridgway's statement to the court.November 5. Accessed June 17, 2026. https://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/11/05/ridgway.statement/index.html. Cronin, Teresa. 1982. "Prostitution problem waning."News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), July 15: A4. —. 1984. "Slain daughter should be alive, her mother says."News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), July 1: 37. Daily Herald. 1990. "Green River case stuck, sheriff says."Daily Herald (Everett, WA), July 21: 11. Dardarian, Suki. 1982. "Slayings of five women linked, police believe."Daily Herald (Everett, WA), August 16: 2. Gildenhar, Jan. 1983. "As the death toll rises, police seek new leads."News Tribune (Spokan, WA), November 6: 14. Gillespie, Elizabeth. 2005. "Hiker finds skull of Green River killer victim."News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), November 23: 13. Gutman, David. 2024. "DNA testing, onbituary helped identify victim of Green River killer."Spokesman-Review (Spokane, WA), January 7: 5. Harden, Mark. 1985. "With no new murders in a year, Green River trail grows cold."Daily Herald (Everett, WA), January 6: 31. Ho, Vanessa, Hector Castro, and Tracy Johnson. 2001.A father led police to Ridgway in 1983.December 6. Accessed June 11, 2026. https://www.seattlepi.com/seattlenews/article/a-father-led-police-to-ridgway-in-1983-1073920.php. Hunter, Steve. 2024.Reichert shares details of Green River Killer case with Kent students.April 25. Accessed June 10, 2026. https://www.kentreporter.com/2024/04/25/reichert-shares-details-of-green-river-killer-case-with-kent-students/. —. 2024.Reichert shares details of Green River Killer case with Kent students.April 25. Accessed June 19, 2026. https://www.kentreporter.com/2024/04/25/reichert-shares-details-of-green-river-killer-case-with-kent-students/. Johnson, Gene. 2003. "Everett father's words draw tears."Daily Herald (Everett, WA), December 19: 1. McCarthy, Terry, and Nathan Thronburgh. 2002. "River of death."Time, June 3. News Tribune. 1983. "A killer is loose, does anyone care?"News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), November 9: 22. —. 1982. "Local prostitute among dead."News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), August 17: 1. —. 1982. "Police have Green River killer's mental profile."News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), September 21: 4. Rule, Ann. 2005.Green River, Running Red: The Real Story of the Green River Killer--America's Deadliest Serial Murderer.New York, NY: Pocket Books. Smith, Carlton, and Thomas Guillen. 1991.The Search for the Green River Killer.New York, NY: Onyx. State of Washington v Gary Leon Ridgway.2001. 01-01-10270-9 SEA (Superior Court of Washington for King County). Sullivan, Jennifer. 2012. "Another Green River victim ID'd."Longview Daily News, June 20: 3. Suttle, Gestin. 1993. "Skull found near Auburn identified as Bellevue woman, 19."News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), February 5: 20. Walter, Jess. 1990. "Possible suspects listed in killings."Spokane Chronicle, June 22: 3. Wilson, Duff. 2003.Profiler can't recall why he said letter wasn't from Green River killer.November 26. Accessed June 11, 2026. https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20031126/greenriver26m/profiler-cant-recall-why-he-said-letter-wasnt-from-green-river-killer. Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash KelleyListener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra LallyListener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
The Green River Killer - Gary Ridgway (Part 3)
In the summer of 1982, it became obvious that a serial killer was operating in the Tacoma area and dumping his victims in the waters of the Green River. In time, The Green River Killer, as the press soon dubbed him, would claim a staggering number of victims to become the most prolific serial killer in American history, a title he would hold until relatively recently. References Associated Press. 1985. "Bones found near Portland were from woman on Green River list."Daily Herald (Everett, WA), June 15: 1. —. 1985. "Green River case is tough, but not impossible: expert."Daily Herald (Everett, WA), September 18: 13. —. 1984. "Woman is identified as 27th Green River victim."Daily Herald (Everett, WA), October 16: 21. —. 1986. "Green River: 35th victim is identified."Daily Herald (Evertt, WA), May 5: 6. —. 1985. "County welcomes FBI help in Green River case."Kitsap Sun (Bremerton, WA), September 13: 23. —. 2001. "Green River suspect arrested ."Kitsap Sun (Bremerton, WA), December 1: 1. —. 1985. "Detectives doubt Green River killer has moved to Portland."Longview Daily News (Longview, WA), Janaury 1: 9. —. 1989. "Green River tas force could fold within a year."News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), December 9: 16. —. 1983. "'Green River Killer' may have slain 19 women."Spokane Chronicle, November 12: 1. CNN. 2003..December 19. Accessed June 19, 2026. https://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/12/18/green.river.sentencing/. —. 2003.Green River Killer Gary Ridgway's statement to the court.November 5. Accessed June 17, 2026. https://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/11/05/ridgway.statement/index.html. Cronin, Teresa. 1982. "Prostitution problem waning."News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), July 15: A4. —. 1984. "Slain daughter should be alive, her mother says."News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), July 1: 37. Daily Herald. 1990. "Green River case stuck, sheriff says."Daily Herald (Everett, WA), July 21: 11. Dardarian, Suki. 1982. "Slayings of five women linked, police believe."Daily Herald (Everett, WA), August 16: 2. Gildenhar, Jan. 1983. "As the death toll rises, police seek new leads."News Tribune (Spokan, WA), November 6: 14. Gillespie, Elizabeth. 2005. "Hiker finds skull of Green River killer victim."News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), November 23: 13. Gutman, David. 2024. "DNA testing, onbituary helped identify victim of Green River killer."Spokesman-Review (Spokane, WA), January 7: 5. Harden, Mark. 1985. "With no new murders in a year, Green River trail grows cold."Daily Herald (Everett, WA), January 6: 31. Ho, Vanessa, Hector Castro, and Tracy Johnson. 2001.A father led police to Ridgway in 1983.December 6. Accessed June 11, 2026. https://www.seattlepi.com/seattlenews/article/a-father-led-police-to-ridgway-in-1983-1073920.php. Hunter, Steve. 2024.Reichert shares details of Green River Killer case with Kent students.April 25. Accessed June 10, 2026. https://www.kentreporter.com/2024/04/25/reichert-shares-details-of-green-river-killer-case-with-kent-students/. —. 2024.Reichert shares details of Green River Killer case with Kent students.April 25. Accessed June 19, 2026. https://www.kentreporter.com/2024/04/25/reichert-shares-details-of-green-river-killer-case-with-kent-students/. Johnson, Gene. 2003. "Everett father's words draw tears."Daily Herald (Everett, WA), December 19: 1. McCarthy, Terry, and Nathan Thronburgh. 2002. "River of death."Time, June 3. News Tribune. 1983. "A killer is loose, does anyone care?"News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), November 9: 22. —. 1982. "Local prostitute among dead."News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), August 17: 1. —. 1982. "Police have Green River killer's mental profile."News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), September 21: 4. Rule, Ann. 2005.Green River, Running Red: The Real Story of the Green River Killer--America's Deadliest Serial Murderer.New York, NY: Pocket Books. Smith, Carlton, and Thomas Guillen. 1991.The Search for the Green River Killer.New York, NY: Onyx. State of Washington v Gary Leon Ridgway.2001. 01-01-10270-9 SEA (Superior Court of Washington for King County). Sullivan, Jennifer. 2012. "Another Green River victim ID'd."Longview Daily News, June 20: 3. Suttle, Gestin. 1993. "Skull found near Auburn identified as Bellevue woman, 19."News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), February 5: 20. Walter, Jess. 1990. "Possible suspects listed in killings."Spokane Chronicle, June 22: 3. Wilson, Duff. 2003.Profiler can't recall why he said letter wasn't from Green River killer.November 26. Accessed June 11, 2026. https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20031126/greenriver26m/profiler-cant-recall-why-he-said-letter-wasnt-from-green-river-killer. Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash KelleyListener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra LallyListener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
The Green River Killer - Gary Ridgway (Part 2)
In the summer of 1982, it became obvious that a serial killer was operating in the Tacoma area and dumping his victims in the waters of the Green River. In time, The Green River Killer, as the press soon dubbed him, would claim a staggering number of victims to become the most prolific serial killer in American history, a title he would hold until relatively recently. References Associated Press. 1985. "Bones found near Portland were from woman on Green River list." Daily Herald (Everett, WA), June 15: 1. —. 1985. "Green River case is tough, but not impossible: expert." Daily Herald (Everett, WA), September 18: 13. —. 1984. "Woman is identified as 27th Green River victim." Daily Herald (Everett, WA), October 16: 21. —. 1986. "Green River: 35th victim is identified." Daily Herald (Evertt, WA), May 5: 6. —. 1985. "County welcomes FBI help in Green River case." Kitsap Sun (Bremerton, WA), September 13: 23. —. 2001. "Green River suspect arrested ." Kitsap Sun (Bremerton, WA), December 1: 1. —. 1985. "Detectives doubt Green River killer has moved to Portland." Longview Daily News (Longview, WA), Janaury 1: 9. —. 1989. "Green River tas force could fold within a year." News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), December 9: 16. —. 1983. "'Green River Killer' may have slain 19 women." Spokane Chronicle, November 12: 1. CNN. 2003. . December 19. Accessed June 19, 2026.https://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/12/18/green.river.sentencing/. —. 2003. Green River Killer Gary Ridgway's statement to the court. November 5. Accessed June 17, 2026.https://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/11/05/ridgway.statement/index.html. Cronin, Teresa. 1982. "Prostitution problem waning." News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), July 15: A4. —. 1984. "Slain daughter should be alive, her mother says." News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), July 1: 37. Daily Herald. 1990. "Green River case stuck, sheriff says." Daily Herald (Everett, WA), July 21: 11. Dardarian, Suki. 1982. "Slayings of five women linked, police believe." Daily Herald (Everett, WA), August 16: 2. Gildenhar, Jan. 1983. "As the death toll rises, police seek new leads." News Tribune (Spokan, WA), November 6: 14. Gillespie, Elizabeth. 2005. "Hiker finds skull of Green River killer victim." News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), November 23: 13. Gutman, David. 2024. "DNA testing, onbituary helped identify victim of Green River killer." Spokesman-Review (Spokane, WA), January 7: 5. Harden, Mark. 1985. "With no new murders in a year, Green River trail grows cold." Daily Herald (Everett, WA), January 6: 31. Ho, Vanessa, Hector Castro, and Tracy Johnson. 2001. A father led police to Ridgway in 1983. December 6. Accessed June 11, 2026.https://www.seattlepi.com/seattlenews/article/a-father-led-police-to-ridgway-in-1983-1073920.php. Hunter, Steve. 2024. Reichert shares details of Green River Killer case with Kent students. April 25. Accessed June 10, 2026.https://www.kentreporter.com/2024/04/25/reichert-shares-details-of-green-river-killer-case-with-kent-students/. —. 2024. Reichert shares details of Green River Killer case with Kent students. April 25. Accessed June 19, 2026.https://www.kentreporter.com/2024/04/25/reichert-shares-details-of-green-river-killer-case-with-kent-students/. Johnson, Gene. 2003. "Everett father's words draw tears." Daily Herald (Everett, WA), December 19: 1. McCarthy, Terry, and Nathan Thronburgh. 2002. "River of death." Time, June 3. News Tribune. 1983. "A killer is loose, does anyone care?" News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), November 9: 22. —. 1982. "Local prostitute among dead." News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), August 17: 1. —. 1982. "Police have Green River killer's mental profile." News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), September 21: 4. Rule, Ann. 2005. Green River, Running Red: The Real Story of the Green River Killer--America's Deadliest Serial Murderer. New York, NY: Pocket Books. Smith, Carlton, and Thomas Guillen. 1991. The Search for the Green River Killer. New York, NY: Onyx. State of Washington v Gary Leon Ridgway. 2001. 01-01-10270-9 SEA (Superior Court of Washington for King County). Sullivan, Jennifer. 2012. "Another Green River victim ID'd." Longview Daily News, June 20: 3. Suttle, Gestin. 1993. "Skull found near Auburn identified as Bellevue woman, 19." News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), February 5: 20. Walter, Jess. 1990. "Possible suspects listed in killings." Spokane Chronicle, June 22: 3. Wilson, Duff. 2003. Profiler can't recall why he said letter wasn't from Green River killer. November 26. Accessed June 11, 2026.https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20031126/greenriver26m/profiler-cant-recall-why-he-said-letter-wasnt-from-green-river-killer. Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash KelleyListener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra LallyListener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
The Green River Killer - Gary Ridgway (Part 1)
In the summer of 1982, it became obvious that a serial killer was operating in the Tacoma area and dumping his victims in the waters of the Green River. In time, The Green River Killer, as the press soon dubbed him, would claim a staggering number of victims to become the most prolific serial killer in American history, a title he would hold until relatively recently. References Associated Press. 1985. "Bones found near Portland were from woman on Green River list." Daily Herald (Everett, WA), June 15: 1. —. 1985. "Green River case is tough, but not impossible: expert." Daily Herald (Everett, WA), September 18: 13. —. 1984. "Woman is identified as 27th Green River victim." Daily Herald (Everett, WA), October 16: 21. —. 1986. "Green River: 35th victim is identified." Daily Herald (Evertt, WA), May 5: 6. —. 1985. "County welcomes FBI help in Green River case." Kitsap Sun (Bremerton, WA), September 13: 23. —. 2001. "Green River suspect arrested ." Kitsap Sun (Bremerton, WA), December 1: 1. —. 1985. "Detectives doubt Green River killer has moved to Portland." Longview Daily News (Longview, WA), Janaury 1: 9. —. 1989. "Green River tas force could fold within a year." News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), December 9: 16. —. 1983. "'Green River Killer' may have slain 19 women." Spokane Chronicle, November 12: 1. CNN. 2003. . December 19. Accessed June 19, 2026. https://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/12/18/green.river.sentencing/. —. 2003. Green River Killer Gary Ridgway's statement to the court. November 5. Accessed June 17, 2026. https://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/11/05/ridgway.statement/index.html. Cronin, Teresa. 1982. "Prostitution problem waning." News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), July 15: A4. —. 1984. "Slain daughter should be alive, her mother says." News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), July 1: 37. Daily Herald. 1990. "Green River case stuck, sheriff says." Daily Herald (Everett, WA), July 21: 11. Dardarian, Suki. 1982. "Slayings of five women linked, police believe." Daily Herald (Everett, WA), August 16: 2. Gildenhar, Jan. 1983. "As the death toll rises, police seek new leads." News Tribune (Spokan, WA), November 6: 14. Gillespie, Elizabeth. 2005. "Hiker finds skull of Green River killer victim." News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), November 23: 13. Gutman, David. 2024. "DNA testing, onbituary helped identify victim of Green River killer." Spokesman-Review (Spokane, WA), January 7: 5. Harden, Mark. 1985. "With no new murders in a year, Green River trail grows cold." Daily Herald (Everett, WA), January 6: 31. Ho, Vanessa, Hector Castro, and Tracy Johnson. 2001. A father led police to Ridgway in 1983. December 6. Accessed June 11, 2026. https://www.seattlepi.com/seattlenews/article/a-father-led-police-to-ridgway-in-1983-1073920.php. Hunter, Steve. 2024. Reichert shares details of Green River Killer case with Kent students. April 25. Accessed June 10, 2026. https://www.kentreporter.com/2024/04/25/reichert-shares-details-of-green-river-killer-case-with-kent-students/. —. 2024. Reichert shares details of Green River Killer case with Kent students. April 25. Accessed June 19, 2026. https://www.kentreporter.com/2024/04/25/reichert-shares-details-of-green-river-killer-case-with-kent-students/. Johnson, Gene. 2003. "Everett father's words draw tears." Daily Herald (Everett, WA), December 19: 1. McCarthy, Terry, and Nathan Thronburgh. 2002. "River of death." Time, June 3. News Tribune. 1983. "A killer is loose, does anyone care?" News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), November 9: 22. —. 1982. "Local prostitute among dead." News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), August 17: 1. —. 1982. "Police have Green River killer's mental profile." News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), September 21: 4. Rule, Ann. 2005. Green River, Running Red: The Real Story of the Green River Killer--America's Deadliest Serial Murderer. New York, NY: Pocket Books. Smith, Carlton, and Thomas Guillen. 1991. The Search for the Green River Killer. New York, NY: Onyx. State of Washington v Gary Leon Ridgway. 2001. 01-01-10270-9 SEA (Superior Court of Washington for King County). Sullivan, Jennifer. 2012. "Another Green River victim ID'd." Longview Daily News, June 20: 3. Suttle, Gestin. 1993. "Skull found near Auburn identified as Bellevue woman, 19." News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), February 5: 20. Walter, Jess. 1990. "Possible suspects listed in killings." Spokane Chronicle, June 22: 3. Wilson, Duff. 2003. Profiler can't recall why he said letter wasn't from Green River killer. November 26. Accessed June 11, 2026. https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20031126/greenriver26m/profiler-cant-recall-why-he-said-letter-wasnt-from-green-river-killer. Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash KelleyListener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra LallyListener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Blanche Taylor Moore, The Oldest Woman on Death Row (Part 2)
When the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation opened an investigation and Blanche was charged with the attempted murder, the arrest came as a shock to those who knew her. How was it possible that someone they all knew as “a sweet, Christian lady”—was an attempted murderer? And if she had been cunning enough to hide that side of herself from her community, what else had she been hiding? References Associated Press. 1989. "Arsenic victim feels 'sorrow' for his wife." News and Record (Greensboro, NC), August 16: 1. Avery, Sarah. 1990. "Blanche Moore finally gets days in court." News and Record (Greensboro, NC), October 15: 1. Catanoso, Justin. 1990. "Arsenix suspect Moore: temptress or churchwoman." News and Record (Greensboro, NC), October 23: 1. —. 1990. "Moore breaks her silence." News and Record (Greensboro, NC), November 8: 1. —. 1990. "Moore insisted on haircut after poisoning." News and Record (Greensboro, NC), October 26: 1. Catanoso, Justin, and Taft Wireback. 1990. "Blanche sentenced to die." News and Record (Greensboro, NC), November 17: 1. Chapman, Dan. 1989. "Rumors are out of hand, attorney for woman says." Winston-Salem Journal, July 23: 1. Hoke, Kathy. 1989. "2nd body to be exhumed for arsenic." News and Record (Greensboro, NC), July 4: 1. Leland, Eizabeth. 1990. "Moore guilty in arsenic poisoning." The Charlotte Observer, November 15: 1. Nowell, Paul. 1990. "Did prosectution link Moore to arsenic?" The Charlotte Observer, November 13: 1. Schutze, Jim. 1993. Preacher's Girl: The Life and Crimes of Blanche Taylor Moore. New York, NY: Avon. Stinebaker, Joe. 1989. "Moore's friends confused, saddened by recent events." Winston-Salem Journal, July 23: 1. Struck, Doug. 1989. "Pastor's wife: Arsenic and old lace?" Los Angeles Times, August 22. United Press International. 1989. "Accused arsenic killer described as loving person." United Press International, July 29. Williams, Ed. 1986. "Woman sues Kroger, alleges sex harassment." News and Record (Greensboro, NC), January 24. Williams, Ed, and Taft Wireback. 1989. "Why did someone want him dead." News and Record (Greensboro, NC), October 3: 1. Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash KelleyListener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra LallyListener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Blanche Taylor Moore, The Oldest Woman on Death Row (Part 1)
When the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation opened an investigation and Blanche was charged with the attempted murder, the arrest came as a shock to those who knew her. How was it possible that someone they all knew as “a sweet, Christian lady”—was an attempted murderer? And if she had been cunning enough to hide that side of herself from her community, what else had she been hiding? References Associated Press. 1989. "Arsenic victim feels 'sorrow' for his wife." News and Record (Greensboro, NC), August 16: 1. Avery, Sarah. 1990. "Blanche Moore finally gets days in court." News and Record (Greensboro, NC), October 15: 1. Catanoso, Justin. 1990. "Arsenix suspect Moore: temptress or churchwoman." News and Record (Greensboro, NC), October 23: 1. —. 1990. "Moore breaks her silence." News and Record (Greensboro, NC), November 8: 1. —. 1990. "Moore insisted on haircut after poisoning." News and Record (Greensboro, NC), October 26: 1. Catanoso, Justin, and Taft Wireback. 1990. "Blanche sentenced to die." News and Record (Greensboro, NC), November 17: 1. Chapman, Dan. 1989. "Rumors are out of hand, attorney for woman says." Winston-Salem Journal, July 23: 1. Hoke, Kathy. 1989. "2nd body to be exhumed for arsenic." News and Record (Greensboro, NC), July 4: 1. Leland, Eizabeth. 1990. "Moore guilty in arsenic poisoning." The Charlotte Observer, November 15: 1. Nowell, Paul. 1990. "Did prosectution link Moore to arsenic?" The Charlotte Observer, November 13: 1. Schutze, Jim. 1993. Preacher's Girl: The Life and Crimes of Blanche Taylor Moore. New York, NY: Avon. Stinebaker, Joe. 1989. "Moore's friends confused, saddened by recent events." Winston-Salem Journal, July 23: 1. Struck, Doug. 1989. "Pastor's wife: Arsenic and old lace?" Los Angeles Times, August 22. United Press International. 1989. "Accused arsenic killer described as loving person." United Press International, July 29. Williams, Ed. 1986. "Woman sues Kroger, alleges sex harassment." News and Record (Greensboro, NC), January 24. Williams, Ed, and Taft Wireback. 1989. "Why did someone want him dead." News and Record (Greensboro, NC), October 3: 1. Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash KelleyListener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra LallyListener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Morbid Book Club: Victorian Psycho By Virginia Feito
Spoilers Ahead!!!For this month's BONUS EPISODE it's Book Club time, weirdos! This time we're joined by bestselling horror author Paul Tremblay for a conversation about one of our favorite recent reads: Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito! We dive into everything that makes this deliciously deranged novel so unforgettable, from its razor-sharp dark humor and gloriously unhinged protagonist to the gothic atmosphere and jaw-dropping moments that had us audibly gasping. So grab your beverage of choice, settle in, and join us for a delightfully creepy conversation with one of horror's finest. And if you haven't read Victorian Psycho yet... consider this your sign, and join the bookclub discussion once you've devoured it! Check out Paul Tremblay's newest book Dead but Dreaming of Electric Sheep by preordering now, or grabbing it at your local bookstore next Tuesday June 30th! And DEFINITELY check out his other incredible books that are available wherever books are sold! Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash KelleyListener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra LallyListener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Listener Tales 111: Camping Tales
Weirdos! It's one of our favorite times of the month: Listener Tales!! This time, Deb has found some spine tingling camping tales that will make you rethink ever going into the woods again. The best part? These tales are BY you FOR you and ALL ABOUT YOU! We go off the rails the week, so strap in, friends! Check out the YOUTUBE version is packed with extra Nicholas footage! If you’ve got a listener tale please send it to Deb by emailing us at Morbidpodcast@gmail.com with “Listener Tales” somewhere in the subject line, and if you share pictures, please let us know if we can share them with fellow weirdos! :) Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash KelleyListener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra LallyListener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Amusement Park Disasters (Volume 2) : Theme Parks
Since the late nineteenth century, amusement parks have been providing countless hours of enjoyment for people all around the world. Often driven by the latest technology and advances in mechanical engineering, the thrill rides at parks like Disney Land, Great America, and other independent parks offer a controlled environment to experience terror and excitement. While these rides, and the parks in general, are very safe and held to strict safety standards, there are times when the unthinkable happens—a cable snaps, a safety harness breaks—and the once safe ride becomes a nightmare for passengers. Far more often than not, tragic amusement park accidents are the result of human foolishness or, far less often, operator error. But other times, they are a bizarre fluke; a one in a million mechanical problem no one saw coming. Either way, the results can be shocking, horrifying, and even deadly. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Get Tickets for Alaina's Book Tour for THE BUTCHER LEGACY! Get Tickets to our MORBID LIVE show at Radio City Music Hall with Special Guest Jonathan Van Ness! References Akst, Daniel. 1982. "Short circuit found in fatal amusement ride." The Record (Hackensack, NJ), August 5: 3. Anaheim Bulletin. 1973. "D'land visitor drowning victim." Anaheim Bulletin, June 23: 1. Associated Press. 1980. "Roller coaster death probed." Free Lance (Hollister, CA), April 3: 10. —. 1998. "Disney visitor had no chance, surgeon says." Sacramento Bee, December 28: 4. Brown, Lee. 1964. "2 youths tell story of fatal 'bobsled' ride." The Independent (Long Beach, CA), May 22: 17. Daily News. 1983. "A ride to the courthouse." Daily News (New York, NY), July 3: 32. Daily Record. 1982. "Electrical shock killed man on Action Park ride." Daily Record (Morristown, NJ), August 1: 2. Fisher, Joseph. 1980. "Man who fell from alpine slide dies after several days in coma." Daily Record (Morristown, NJ), Juky 17: 1. Futia, Michael, and John Mintz. 1982. "Death doesn't cut lines for thrill rides." The Record (Hackensack, NJ), August 2: 13. Gaura, Maria. 1998. "Coaster victim's death witnessed by family." San Francisco Chronicle, September 11: 13. Gaura, Maria, and Manny Fernandez. 1998. "Victim's kin mull suit against Great America." San Francisco Chronicle, Seoptember 9: 1. Haefele, Marc. 1980. "Dangers cited by slide employees." Daily Record (Morristown, NJ), August 14: 19. Hatfield, Larry. 1980. "Roller coaster crash caused by 'phantom'." San Francisco Examiner, May 1980: 3. Hoover, Ken, and Sabin Russell. 1999. "Fall from ride kills boy at Great America." San Francisco Chronicle, August 23: 1. Kiely, Eugene. 1987. "Prosecutor: Action Park drowning accidental." The Record (Hackensack NJ), July 21: 28. Los Angeles Times. 1964. "Boy criticallt hurt on ride at Disneyland." Los Angeles Times, May 17: 3. —. 1966. "He tried to join his friends." Los Angeles Times, June 19: 3. —. 1964. "Inquest ruled out in fatal Disneyland fall." Los Angeles Times, May 27: 35. Lyman, Julie, Kevin Fagan, and Bill Workman. 1999. "Questions linger in amusement park death." San Francisco Chronicle , November 6: 1. Mulvihill, Andy. 2020. "Remembering Action Park, New Jersey's Deranged Theme Park, "Where You're the Center of the Accident"." Esquire, July 2. Press-Telegram. 1964. "Boy badly hurt in tumble from Disney bobsled." Press-Telegram (Long Beach, CA), May 16: 13. —. 1966. "Monorail victim crashing party?" Press-Telegram (Long Beach, CA), June 19: 4. —. 1964. "Bobsled rider's death probed." Press-Telegram, May 20: 39. Reckard, Scott, and Tracy Weber. 1998. "Autopsy sheds light on Disneyland fatality." Los Angeles Times, December 31: 31. Soiffer, Bill. 1980. "Brakes suspected in coaster tragedy." San Francisco Chronicle, March 31: 3. Stolztfus, Duane. 1984. "Water slide blamed for son's death." Daily Record (Morristown, NJ), August 28: 11. Webber, Tracy. 1999. "Fatal accident at Disneyland in '98 still haunts family." Los Angeles Times, December 13: 110. Yi, Daniel, and Robert Ourlian. 1998. "Man dies 2 days after being injured at Disneyland." Los Angeles Times, December 27: 76. Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash KelleyListener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra LallyListener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Episode Revisit: The Radium Girls
Today we are revisiting a tragic case of negligence which originally captivated us back in 2024. When Marie and Pierre Curie discovered radium in 1898, the chemical element was quickly adopted by manufacturers for its luminescent properties that would go on to be used in, among other things, the painting of clock faces, watches, and instrument panels, allowing them to be seen in the dark. At the time, the introduction of radioluminescent materials into manufacturing was hailed as a scientific solution to an age-old frustration, but it didn’t take long before that solution was shown to have terrible consequences. As a radioactive element, radium is highly toxic to humans, particularly when ingested or inhaled. While it seemed unlikely that anyone would ingest or inhale the radium used to paint a clockface, this fact posed a serious problem for the largely female factory workers whose job it was to paint the dials. These “Radium Girls,” as they would come to be known, not only spent most of their day in close proximity to the paint, but also employed a technique in which they frequently wet their paintbrushes with their mouths, consuming small amounts of radium in the process. Throughout the first half of the twentieth century, hundreds of young women working in at least three radium dial factories in the United States suffered deadly radiation poisoning as a result of working so closely with radium, all without any safety protocols and completely unaware of the dangers. After dozens of deaths, a group of factory workers successfully sued their employers for damages, exposing the widespread disregard for worker safety. While the suits were generally a major victory for the American labor movement, it was ultimately hard-won and little comfort to those who would die within a few years. References Camden Courier-Post. 1928. "Woman radium victim offers living body to aid in search for cure." Courier-Post, May 29: 1. eGov Newswire. 2021. "Menedez leads colleagues in introducing senate resolution to honor the lives and legacy of the 'Radium Girls'." eGov Newswire, June 26. Evening Courier. 1927. "Radium poison victims want damage suit limits raised." Evening Courier, July 19: 2. Galant, Debbie. 1996. "Living with a radium nightmare." New York Times, September 29: NJ1. Lang, Daniel. 1959. "A most valuable accident." New Yorker, April 24: 49. McAndrew, Tara McClellan. 2018. The Radium Girls: An Illinois Tragedy. January 25. Accessed July 8, 2024. https://www.nprillinois.org/equity-justice/2018-01-25/the-radium-girls-an-illinois-tragedy. Moore, Kate. 2017. The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women. New York, NY: Sourcebooks. New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. n.d. Radium Girls: The Story of US Radium’s Superfund Site. Environmental Preservation Snapshot, Orange, NJ: New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. New York Times. 1928. "Finds no bar to suit by radium victims." New York Times, May 23: 11. Prisco, Jacopo. 2017. "Radium Girls: The dark times of luminous watches." CNN, December 19. United Press. 1928. "Woman, dying by degrees, tells of symptoms of radium posioning." Courier-News, May 16: 6. —. 1928. "3 more are victims of radiun poisoning." Evening Courier, May 22: 1. Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash KelleyListener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra LallyListener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
The Pickwick Club Disaster
In the early morning hours of July 4, 1925, the crowd at The Pickwick Club in Boston were celebrating the holiday at the “Before-the-Fourth” dance when roughly fifty couples took to the dance floor for one of the final songs of the night. With so much revelry and vibrations from the dancing, no one noticed the subtle sounds distressed infrastructure makes just before a tragedy, and even if they had, there likely wasn’t enough time to avoid the disaster. Around 3:30 am, the ceiling above them collapsed, as the entire five-story building came down on top of them, killing forty-four people and injuring countless more. At the time, the Pickwick Club disaster was the deadliest building collapse and one of the worst accidents in in the city’s history. It was followed by large investigation, during which the disaster was temporarily blamed on the Charleston, and a sensational trial aimed at punishing those responsible. However, in the one hundred years since the disaster, the tragedy at the Pickwick Club has been largely forgotten, overshadowed by larger and more devastating accidents. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Come to the Live Show in New York on June 27th! Preorder The Butcher Legacy! References Boston Daily Globe. 1925. "12 bodies taken from the Pickwick Club ruins as searchers place toll of death at 40." Boston Daily Globe, July 5: 1. —. 1925. "Leaping of dancers caused collapse, view of survivor." Boston Daily Globe, July 6: 11. —. 1925. "Officer beaten in raid staged at Pickwick Club." Boston Daily Globe, February 9: 2. —. 1925. "Stabbing and small riot in Pickwick Club." Boston Daily Globe, March 23: 1. —. 1925. "Survivors' stories of building horror." Boston Daily Globe, July 5: 20. —. 1925. "Testifies Hendrick said Pickwick safe." Boston Daily Globe, Juky 28: 1. —. 1925. "Testimony ends in cluyb tragedy." Boston Daily Globe, July 11: 10. —. 1925. "Thousands seek sight of ruins." Boston Daily Globe, July 6: 12. Donovan, John J. 1925. "Probe planned by grand jury." Boston Daily Globe, July 5: 20. Harris, Henry. 1925. "Pickwick Club lure lay in its mystery." Boston Daily Globe, July 5: 18. Keefe, John E. 2024. Deathtrap: Boston's Pickwick Club Disaster. Boston, MA: Menotomy Publishing. —. 2018. The Pickwick Club Disaster. Boston, MA: Menotomy Publishing. Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash KelleyListener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra LallyListener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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.
