Horrorwood: True Crime in Tinseltown
**2025 Ambie Award Nominee: Best Indie Podcast Hosts** From horrific homicides to unsolved mysteries, spooky haunts to behind-the-scenes secrets, Kate and Kevin are here to bring you all the drama - and trauma - of Tinseltown. Settle in, Misfits.
Episodes
Richard D. May: A Dream Cut Short
Richard D. May was finally living his dream. He had just been cast in a professional production, ready to take the stage in Death of a Salesman at the African-American Shakespeare Company in San Francisco, CA. He had the talent, the drive, …
CROSSOVER COLLAB! "My Man Godfrey" with "Go Get Your Girl"
Carole Lombard and William Powell were lovers-turned-spouses-turned-exes-turned-lovers again-turned-exes for real this time-turned-BFFs. Together they starred in the 1936 screwball comedy "My Man Godfrey," and despite both of them shining o…
Haunted Theatres: The Egyptian in DeKalb, IL
In the center of downtown DeKalb stands the Egyptian Theatre—an architectural tribute to ancient times. But this isn’t just a historic theater; it’s a place where the past lingers in more ways than one. Built in 1929, the Egyptian has survi…
The Execution of Singer/Actor Zhang Yiyang
Zhang Yiyang was known for writing and singing love songs, which helped him gain celebrity status in his home country of China. His fame only grew once he transferred his talents to the screen, performing in various shows and films. So imag…
We Know What You Did Last Summer
A summer scare rooted in urban legend and real-life horror. From the hook-handed tale that haunted teenage lovers, to the Texarkana Moonlight Murders, to the film I Know What You Did Last Summer—and the chilling true story of author Lois Du…
It's a Bird! It's a Plane! It's...the Scourge of 'Superman'
Have you heard of the 'Superman' curse? We're not entirely convinced one actually exists, although the number of lawsuits, accidents, deaths and faltering careers would suggest otherwise...  Episode Sources: “Up, Up and Awa-a-y! The Rise o…
The Murder of Oscar-Winning Actor Dr. Haing S. Ngor - Part 2
Haing experienced extraordinary success in the entertainment industry after settling in the U.S., but did he make enemies along the way? Just as he pulled into his carport one evening, before he even had a chance to get out of the car, he w…
The Murder of Oscar-Winning Actor Dr. Haing S. Ngor - Part 1
Haing Ngor's childhood in Cambodia was marked by political unrest leading up to the Cold War. As an adult, he survived the Cambodian genocide under the Khmer Rouge regime to build a new life in Los Angeles, CA. His career took a surprising …
The Heartless Murder of Kesaria Abramidze
A beloved actress, model, and trailblazing trans icon in the country of Georgia, Kesaria Abramidze used her voice to speak out against domestic violence and injustice—right up until the moment it took her life. Just one day after a sweeping…
The Circus Train Tragedy of 1918
At its peak, the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus was one of the largest traveling shows in the country—until a tragic train wreck in 1918 brought it to a screeching halt. This story follows the rise of the American circus, the crash that claimed d…
The Wild & Wily Kidnapping of Frank Sinatra, Jr.
When Frank Sinatra, Jr. checked into his motel room in Lake Tahoe, he never could have predicted the circumstances in which he'd be checking out. What ensued was a comedy of errors involving a snowstorm, a musical legend, and a hapless kidn…
LISTENER FAVORITE: The Shooting of Stuntman Garrett Warren
Garrett Warren was at the top of his game when he was gunned down in the doorway of his home - and in front of his mother, no less. But why would anyone want to murder a man described as a kind, generous friend and focused professional? Thi…
The Curse of Annabelle
The infamous Annabelle doll may have become a Hollywood horror icon thanks to The Conjuring universe, but her real story is even creepier. Originally a possessed…ahem, manipulated…Raggedy Ann doll, Annabelle was investigated by paranormal l…
The Complicated Life & Death of Nancy Spungen - Part 3
"There's trouble in Room 100." Those were the words muttered by a male caller to the man working the front desk of the Chelsea Hotel the morning of October 12, 1978. The "trouble" was that 20-year-old Nancy Spungen was dead in the bathroom …
The Complicated Life & Death of Nancy Spungen - Part 2
When we ended Part 1, Nancy had just moved from New York to London and met The Sex Pistols' bassist Sid Vicious. In Nancy's opinion, Sid was an incredibly talented musician and wonderful boyfriend, but Sid had a violent side...  Episode S…
The Complicated Life & Death of Nancy Spungen - Part 1
There was nothing simple about Nancy Spungen, punk rock fanatic and girlfriend of "The Sex Pistols" bassist Sid Vicious. Her life was a revolving door of psychiatric clinics, prescription-happy physicians and an undiagnosed mental illness s…
Drama Duel: Benjamin Jonson vs. Gabriel Spencer
Welcome to the life of Benjamin Jonson—widely regarded as the second-best playwright of the Elizabethan era and ALWAYS in competition with Shakespeare. Before rising to literary fame, Jonson was part of the Admiral’s Men acting troupe in Lo…
Everything You Didn't Need to Know About "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory"
We're talking today about the beloved children's classic that features a demonic recluse who delights in the torture of children, while his enslaved factory workers are forced to sing and dance in unison. Believe it or not I actually love t…
The Murder of Adriana Piñon
As a teenager, Adriana Piñon took night classes in addition to her regular high school curriculum so that she could graduate early and focus on her acting and modeling career. At 17 she landed a gig as a recurring extra on "The Young and th…
The Murder of Pasinetta Prince
Pasinetta Prince was conquering the theatre world one starring role at a time. In February of 2006 she was in rehearsals for August Wilson's "Seven Guitars" at the esteemed John Beasley Theatre in Omaha - her hometown. Tragically, her life …
*Patreon Freebie!* The Disappearance of 'Good Time Joe'
Wow, Broadway in the 1920s was a VIBE. Flappers were flapping, mobsters were mobstering, and rich people were indulging in all sorts of debauchery in the hidden corners of seedy speakeasies. Today's episode focuses on one rich person in par…
BONUS EPISODE: Crime Couch: Ambies Edition!
***Watch this VIDEO episode on Patreon, Spotify, Facebook or YouTube*** Misfits, we had such a blast at the Ambies Monday night so we thought we'd just share with you what our experience was like! Thank you to all of our listeners for tunin…
The Unsolved Murder of Stuart Lubbock
CW: This episode contains discussion of SA. Nine people attend a small house party. Eight make it out alive. How did 31-year-old Stuart Lubbock end up dead in the pool of one of the most famous entertainers in the UK?  Episode Sources: Jus…
Korean Pop Culture & the Facade of Fame
CW: This episode contains discussions of suicide and SA. Imagine being eleven years old and told that you have what it takes to be a star. All you have to do to achieve this success is drop out of school, move out of your parents' house, go…
Deadly Deception: The Crimes of Neville Heath
We're diving into the twisted tale of Neville Heath—a killer who inspired Hitchcock's unfinished film "Kaleidoscope." With a history of fraud, false identities, and a penchant for deception, Heath’s charm masked a sadistic nature that led t…
MoviePass: The $9.95 Dream That Became a Hollywood Scam
In this episode we dive into the rise, fall and shocking fraud behind MoviePass—the too-good-to-be-true subscription service that promised unlimited movies for just $9.95 a month. From its explosive growth to deceptive business tactics, inv…
Gary DeVore's Perplexing Final Act - Part 3
In this conclusion of our Gary DeVore three-parter we'll talk about what was found inside of Gary's truck after they pulled it out of the aqueduct, and why some people close to Gary don't agree with what law enforcement says happened the ni…
Gary DeVore's Perplexing Final Act - Part 2
We're back with Part 2 of trying to figure what the hell happened to Gary DeVore. In this episode we'll retrace his final days before he went missing - who he talked with, what his demeanor was and how law enforcement handled the investigat…
Gary DeVore's Perplexing Final Act - Part 1
*Before we get to the episode, BIG news! We're nominated for an Ambie award for Best Indie Podcast Hosts! We're so excited!!* Okay, now down to business. Gary DeVore was many things: screenwriter...ladies' man...missing... Born and raised i…
RERUN: The Tragic Deaths of Christy Giles & Hilda Marcela Cabrales-Arzola
**As we mentioned last week we are rerunning this episode from 2022. If you missed our Case Update from Wednesday, one of the men involved - David Pearce - has been found guilty of murder.  Christy Lee Giles and her friend Hilda Marcela Ca…
CASE UPDATE: The Tragic Deaths of Christy Giles & Hilda Marcela Cabrales-Arzola
Hey Misfits, the verdict came in yesterday on the case of David Pearce, the man accused of first degree murder in the deaths of Christy Giles and Hilda Marcela Cabrales-Arzola. We discuss the case, new information that came out during the t…
"Through Hike" to Tragedy: The Randi Trimble Case
If you would like to donate to Randi's House of Angels you can do so here: https://randishouseofangels.org/donate/  Discover the chilling true story of Randi Trimble, a promising life cut short by a twisted plot tied to a failed indie horr…
Tragedy On Set: "They Died with Their Boots On"
*If you'd like to bypass our chatter in the beginning skip to around 6:30. In the early part of the 20th century Hollywood studios weren't too concerned with minor details like "safety" or "animal rights." It was all about the bottom line. …
Haunted Theatres: The Keith-Albee in Huntington, WV
Step into the mesmerizing world of the Keith-Albee Theatre in Huntington, West Virginia, a 1928 vaudeville palace turned cultural icon with a rich history—and a chilling reputation. From hosting entertainment legends to whispers of ghostly …
The Questionable Death of Bessie Poole
**If you are looking for ways to help the LA fire victims, here are a few reputable sources providing aid: Mutual Aid L.A. Network (Google spreadsheet with info on shelters, volunteer and donation opportunities) World Central Kitchen (provi…
The Unsolved Murder of Christa Helm
Christa Helm was an aspiring actress and model who sought stardom in the 1970s Hollywood spotlight. Known for her beauty, charisma and connections to some of the most powerful men in the entertainment industry, Christa kept a secret diary r…
*Patreon Freebie!* The Rosenheim Mansion, aka The Murder House
*Hey, Misfits! We hope you're having a lovely holiday season. Enjoy this episode we did for the Patreon at the start of this year. Despite the title, this episode is not as gruesome as it sounds. We're easing into the new year with a little…
Gremlins: It's a Wonderful Lizard of Oz in Hell
Happy Holidays from Horrorwood! We're talking about the 1984 holiday classic "Gremlins." We've got WWII fighter pilots, inspiration from Playboy, and lots of mice and cockroaches. Who knew? Episode Sources: “Gremlin Trouble!: The Cursed Roa…
The Murder of Scott Amedure
What started as a playful reveal of a secret crush spiraled into a tragic series of events that rocked the nation and sparked debates about media ethics, the 'gay panic' defense, and accountability. Dive into the story behind the infamous '…
Rerun: Everything You Didn't Need to Know About 'Home Alone'
**Misfits, Covid has reared its ugly head over here at Horrorwood HQ. While Kate sleeps for the next four days straight, enjoy this episode from last year's holiday season.** CW: This episode discusses child abuse, domestic abuse and sexual…