Our True Crime Podcast

It started with two dog bowls.

On the morning of October 15, 2011, in Philadelphia's quiet Tacony neighborhood, 71-year-old landlord Turgut Gozleveli descended into the basement of the brick building he helped maintain. But that morning, something felt wrong.

The basement was darker than usual. Several lightbulbs had been unscrewed, leaving the room in near darkness. Two stainless steel dog dishes sat side by side beneath a small table. Pets weren't allowed in the building. He asked the tenants if anyone was feeding a dog. Everyone said no.

Two days later, the bowls were still there. Uneasy, Gozleveli grabbed a flashlight and returned to the basement. He made his way to the building's long-abandoned furnace room. The door was wrapped in a chain. He unlooped it and pulled the door open.

The smell hit him first. His flashlight revealed a dirt floor littered with scraps of food, filthy blankets, and a bucket overflowing with human waste, and then something moved beneath one of the quilts.

When Gozleveli lifted the blanket, he recoiled. A man and a woman lay curled together, gaunt and wide-eyed.

"Get the hell out of here," he shouted, assuming they were squatters.

They weren't.

Join Cam and Jen on this episode entitled 'Philly House of Horrors: Linda Weston.’

Listener discretion by @octoberpodVHS

All music and editing is by @theinkypawprint

Sources:

https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/file/768726/dl?inline=

https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/judge-drops-one-lesser-charge-in-tacony-basement-of-horror-kidnap-case/

https://abc7.com/archive/8399941/

https://whyy.org/articles/leaders-daughter-in-tacony-dungeon-case-sentenced/

https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/self-described-preacher-sentenced-to-27-years-in-prison-in-basement-of-horrors-case/

https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/2013-in-review-feds-take-over-phila-basement-of-horrors-case/

https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/federal-charges-announced-in-tacony-basement-of-horrors-case/

https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/guilty-plea-in-tacony-basement-of-horrors-case-to-avoid-death-penalty/

https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/former-neighbor-of-linda-weston-searching-for-little-l/

https://news.sky.com/story/mum-who-starved-victims-in-dungeon-gets-life-10340529

https://oig.ssa.gov/news-releases/2015-09-10-audits-and-investigations-investigations-sept9-weston-guilty-plea/

https://www.cnn.com/2011/10/21/justice/pennsylvania-disabled-chained

https://www.courthousenews.com/new-claim-in-philadelphia-horror-case/

https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/philadelphia/news/press-releases/woman-who-held-disabled-adults-captive-in-subhuman-conditions-sentenced-to-life-plus-80-years-in-prison

https://www.aetv.com/articles/linda-ann-weston-kidnapping

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philadelphia_basement_kidnapping

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Thank you to Fabi, our fantastic tour guide in Italy, for suggesting this case. I apologize in advance for any mispronunciations.

When 13-year-old Yara Gambirasio vanished on a freezing November night in Brembate di Sopra, it kicked off a heartbreaking search that ended months later in a desolate field.

What started as a devastating local tragedy snowballed into an absolutely unprecedented investigation. Investigators tested the DNA of twenty-two thousand people: a massive undertaking that accidentally blew the lid off decades of deeply buried family secrets across northern Italy. At the same time, authorities hunted down "Unknown 1" and eventually arrested Massimo Bossetti.

Even now, the lingering forensic questions make some wonder if justice was actually served.

Join Jen and Cam as they unravel the twisted genetic mystery of Bloodlines: The Murder of Yara Gambirasio.

Our team:

Listener Discretion by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Edward October ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Research & Writing by Lauretta Allen

Executive Producers Nico & Jesse of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Inky Pawprint⁠⁠

Sources:

The murder that has obsessed Italy | Italy | The Guardian (excellent, detailed article)

Murder of Yara Gambirasio - Wikipedia

DNA evidence and family secrets snare Italian child murderer | Italy | The Guardian

A Murder That Shook Italy — Yara Gambirasio | by Sandeep Dahiya | Medium

The Yara Gambirasio case: Combining evidence in a complex DNA mixture case - ScienceDirect

https://youtu.be/dCCCly69C-E?si=qMECDKDyiF0mdotq

Netflix: Beyond Reasonable Doubt (is a five-episode breakdown of the case. It leans very much in the direction that Massimo is innocent.)

Jul 27, 2014, page 6 - The Bulletin at Newspapers.com™

Jan 20, 2015, page 22 - Belfast Telegraph at Newspapers.com™ - Newspapers.com™

Jan 17, 2015, page T8-01 - Irish Independent at Newspapers.com™

https://youtu.be/gUXmoYYMDT8?si=7mWnM9UL0UuOBiMH

Lombardy - Wikipedia

Brembate di Sopra - Wikipedia

Northern Italy Vs Southern Italy Culture Guide 2024 - DID SOMEONE SAY ITALY

The Murder Mystery Solved by DNA From the Back of a Postage Stamp - Newsweek

Yara Gambirasio: Most Expensive Murder Investigation in Italian History - HubPages

The Unyielding Claim of Innocence

Chimera (genetics) - Wikipedia

YARA GAMBIRASIO - A MYSTERIOUS PREDATOR and the SECRET of the church

Yara case, Saviano: "They have never investigated the company of the boss's son, disturbing"

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In Oklahoma, the Edmondson family was royalty.

For decades, the Edmondson name had been synonymous with public service, integrity, and leadership. Some people even called them "the Kennedys of Oklahoma."

It was because, generation after generation, they answered the call to serve.

Sarah's grandfather served in the United States Congress. Her great-uncle was both the governor of Oklahoma and, later, a U.S. senator. Her uncle served as the state's attorney general. And her father, Jim Edmondson, would become a justice on the Oklahoma Supreme Court.

Their reputation had been built on a deep commitment to the people of Oklahoma. The Edmondsons weren't known for scandal.

And then came Sarah.

Join Jen and Cam as we discuss ‘From Fiction to Fatal: William Savage & Patsy Byers.’

Shout out to Jason P, who suggested the episode!

Promo from our friend Chris at They’re Not Shadows notshadowspodcast@gmail.com

Listener discretion is by @octoberpodVHS

Music and editing by @theinkypawprint

Sources:

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2773056/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_Born_Killers_copycat_crimes

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_E._Edmondson

https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1995/09/10/cold-blood/82d33fa3-5700-4585-bfc1-858e2dea9d4f/

https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-09-25-ls-49759-story.html

https://pardonletter.wordpress.com/category/sarah-edmondson/

https://www.rcfp.org/judge-dismisses-natural-born-killers-incitement-case/

https://law.justia.com/cases/louisiana/first-circuit-court-of-appeal/1998/97-ca-0831.html

https://www.yahoo.com/news/crime-rewind-natural-born-killers-205200935.html

https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/la-supreme-court/1455991.html

https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2010/05/20/sarah-edmondson-to-serve-parole-in-oklahoma/61245352007/

https://ew.com/article/1999/08/06/natural-born-killers-creates-controversy/

https://web.archive.org/web/20081206030915/http://www.freedomforum.org/templates/document.asp?documentID=3962

https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-09-25-ls-49759-story.html

https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1217642.stm

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In this special episode, Cam and Jen join forces with Dean and Laura from The Family Plot to unravel the haunting mystery of Ricky McCormick.

When Ricky McCormick’s body was discovered in a remote Missouri field in 1999, it seemed like a standard missing person case gone wrong.

However, the discovery of two encrypted, handwritten notes in his pockets turned an already baffling death into one of the most persistent puzzles in modern forensics. Despite being subjected to some of the finest cryptanalysts at the FBI, the meaning of these codes remains locked away, fueling decades of speculation about what really happened to him.

Join us as we examine the evidence, the dead ends, and why this cryptic case continues to haunt investigators today.

Don’t forget to subscribe to Dean and Laura’s podcast, The Family Plot. Available wherever you get your podcasts.

Music by Nico Fyffe-Vettese
Editing by Jesse Fyffe-Vettese
Check them out, The Inky Paw Print

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368. The Boogeyman of Melbourne: Mr Cruel

On August 22nd, 1987, a man wearing a balaclava broke into a home in Lower Plenty, Australia. After tying up the parents and their young son, he brutally assaulted their eleven-year-old daughter. Then, he did something truly chilling: he made himself a snack, sat down, and ate it, leaving the family tied up and traumatized in the other rooms.

This monster, who would eventually be dubbed “Mr. Cruel” by the media, was just getting started.

He went on to terrorize the suburbs of Melbourne, executing highly planned child abductions that sparked one of the largest police investigations in Australian history. Then, just as suddenly as he arrived, he vanished.

This case is still open. If you have any information on these abductions, please contact the Melbourne Police. Or Crimestoppers

Phone Number (Within Australia): 1800 333 000

Website (For international listeners or online tips): crimestoppersvic.com.au

Join Jen & Cam as they dive into the details behind 'The Boogeyman of Melbourne: Mr Cruel.'

*We are BEYOND excited to finally announce our next big adventure! Our True Crime Podcast will be turning 10 years old in 2028. To celebrate this huge milestone, we are heading to Europe for a once-in-a-lifetime 11-day trip to Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg!

We would love for you to come along.

It's officially a "Cheers to 10 Years Tour!" from July 8–19, 2028!

SAVE $150 per person if you book by July 20th!

You can visit our webpage travel webpage here to see the itinerary:

https://0tcp711.s.gy/VOfMrW

If you’re nervous or want more info, RSVP

for a 6pm July 16th Zoom call

https://0tcp711.s.gy/Ue4NG8

Our team:

Listener Discretion by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Edward October ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Research & Writing by Lauretta Allen

Executive Producers Nico & Jesse of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Inky Pawprint⁠⁠

Sources:

https://youtu.be/ArIl4189jDw?si=RpwZGMKgwfzv_cmg

https://youtu.be/Jaq001Evc_c?si=CxsMwY8U6CL-_1pb

Apr 14, 1992, page 5 - The Age at Newspapers.com™ - Newspapers.com™

Mr Cruel - Wikipedia

Chilling new evidence in harrowing ‘Mr Cruel’ investigation | news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site for latest headlines

Major breakthrough in Melbourne’s notorious ‘Mr Cruel’ case - Starts at 60

A new profile of Mr Cruel, who may have been a burglar before he was a killer

Mr. Cruel: The Australian Serial Kidnapper Still at Large

Aug 29, 1987, page 5 - The Age at Newspapers.com™ - Newspapers.com™

Dec 29, 1988, page 1 - The Age at Newspapers.com™

Dec 28, 1988, page 1 - The Age at Newspapers.com™ - Newspapers.com™

Dec 31, 1988, page 2 - The Age at Newspapers.com™

Dec 30, 1988, page 1 - The Age at Newspapers.com™

Dec 29, 1988, page 1 - The Age at Newspapers.com™

Dec 28, 1988, page 1 - The Age at Newspapers.com™

Jul 06, 1990, page 4 - The Age at Newspapers.com™ - Newspapers.com™

Jul 05, 1990, page 3 - The Sydney Morning Herald at Newspapers.com™

Jul 07, 1990, page 5 - The Age at Newspapers.com™

Apr 16, 1991, page 3 - The Age at Newspapers.com™

Jul 07, 1990, page 4 - The Age at Newspapers.com™

Apr 15, 1991, page 1 - The Age at Newspapers.com™

Jul 05, 1990, page 7 - The Age at Newspapers.com™

Jul 21, 1990, page 17 - The Age at Newspapers.com™

Jul 07, 1990, page 1 - The Age at Newspapers.com™

Apr 21, 1991, page 5 - The Age at Newspapers.com™ - Newspapers.com™

Apr 17, 1991, page 9 - The Sydney Morning Herald at Newspapers.com™

Apr 30, 1991, page 3 - The Age at Newspapers.com™

Apr 29, 1991, page 3 - The Age at Newspapers.com™

May 27, 1991, page 8 - The Sydney Morning Herald at Newspapers.com™

Apr 15, 1991, page 1 - The Age at Newspapers.com™

Apr 20, 1991, page 1 - The Sydney Morning Herald at Newspapers.com™

Apr 24, 1991, page 10 - The Sydney Morning Herald at Newspapers.com™

Apr 11, 1992, page 20 - The Age at Newspapers.com™

May 29, 1992, page 18 - The Age at Newspapers.com™

May 11, 1992, page 5 - The Age at Newspapers.com™

May 17, 1992, page 3 - The Age at Newspapers.com™

Jan 29, 1995, page 2 - The Age at Newspapers.com™ - Newspapers.com™

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