True Crime Diary
In our bi-weekly podcast we take a light-hearted look at the story behind an event on this week in true crime history.
Episodes
The Baker Street Robbery
In this episode we discuss the Baker Street safety deposit box robbery, very long drawers, Ham radio, fried chicken and a random diamond.
The Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist
In this episode we discuss the theft of thousands of barrels of maple syrup, Jed gets honey everywhere and Rue is confused by rhyming slang.
Snyder & Gray: Caught on film
In this episode we discuss the murderous Snyder & Gray, motor-boating, corset sales and a concealed camera.
The Charlie Chaplin Grave Robbery
In this episode we discuss the theft of Charlie Chaplin's body from his grave, the disposal of Rue's body, Shakespeare's skull, geo-locating and potato-heads.
John George Haigh: The Acid Bath Murderer
In this episode we discuss the Acid Bath Murderer, 1950s house prices, penny arcades, pointless pandas and Madame Tussauds.
The Mad Bomber of New York City
In this episode we discuss George Metesky the Mad Bomber of New York City, when is a bomber not a bomber, criminal profiling and Mark's scare.
The Demon of the Belfry
In this episode we discuss two time killer Theodore Durrant, seasonal events cupboards and Jed won’t borrow a book.
The Santa Claus Bank Robbery
In this episode we discuss the 1927 Santa Claus bank robbery fiasco, cash for pardons, the back half of a reindeer and a very merry Christmas.
Caravaggio: Baroque 'n' Roll
In this episode we discuss the great Baroque painter and miscreant Caravaggio, unlicensed swords, lead paint and fleeing.
Fatty Arbuckle: Trials and Tribulations
In this episode we discuss the arrest of Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle, Thomas the Tank Engine, the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the fickle finger of stardom.
Jolly Jane: Angel of Death
In this episode we discuss notorious serial poisoner Jane Toppen, white coats and Hi-Viz, a cocktail of gin, and top of the crops.
The Cato Street Conspiracy
In this episode we discuss The Cato Street Conspiracy to overthrow the British government, civil unrest and grenades.
The Antwerp Diamond Heist
In this episode we discuss the theft of $100million in diamonds from the Antwerp Diamond Centre, the controversy of keys and the mystery of Belgian accents.
The Tottenham Outrage
In this episode we discuss the very slow pursuit of a wages snatch, too many bullets, a jousting cyclist, spilt milk and the King's Police Medal. The sound on this one is a bit hokey but like spilled milk I'm not going to cry about it.
Poor William Weare: The Radlett Murder
In this episode we discuss the murder of William Weare, bare-knuckle boxing, Elstree studios, wax heads and commemorative ceramics. Due to some technical difficulties the sound is sub-optimal but discernible.
The Lord Chamberlain’s Men and The Theatre
In this episode we discuss the theft of a building by William Shakespeare's troupe the Lord Chamberlain's Men, bridges and barges, and death by planet.
Piltdown Man: The Missing Link
In this episode we discuss Piltdown Man the fraudulent discovery of the missing link, Tollund Man which is a different man altogether, Ă–tzi the ice man which is a different man also and the great peat/mud debate.
Frank Sinatra Jnr: Strangers in the Night
In this episode we discuss the kidnapping of Frank Sinatra Jnr, a briefcase full of money, a pocketful of dimes, and there are all too many ring-a-ding-dings.
The Heathrow Bullion Heist
In this episode we discuss the theft of gold bullion from the Brinks-Mat warehouse at London's Heathrow Airport, the M25 Killer, that bloke Jed met once and everyone has a story about a film set.
Lucky Lucan: The Vanishing Peer
In this episode we discuss the murder of Sandra Rivett, the lifestyle of the rich and famous, moustaches and glasses and an international manhunt.
Pretty Boy Floyd: The Robin Hood of the Cookson Hills
In this episode we discuss bank robber Charles "Pretty Boy" Floyd, the Kansas City Massacre, chocolate treats, Sylvanian families, and naughty BOIs.
The Dalton Gang: The Coffeyville Conundrum
In this episode we discuss the Wild West's notorious bank robbers The Dalton Gang, when two is too many and Randolph Scott.
Van Gogh a Go-Go
In this episode we discuss the theft of two Van Gogh painting from the Museum Van Gogh in Amsterdam, abominable pronunciation, the predictable habits of thieves, why you can't trust what a priceless thing is worth, and Rue gets excited abou…
The Hossein Brothers and Muriel McKay
In this episode we discuss Arthur and Nizamodeen Hossein and their ill-devised kidnap plan, mistaken identities and mistaken newspaper headlines.
Sweet Fanny Adams
In this episode we discuss the brutal 19th Century murder of 8-year-old Fanny Adams, when meandering becomes frolicking, the etymology of "that phrase" and 'Ye' isn't a word.
Marcel Petiot: Doctor Satan
In this episode we discuss French serial killer Marcel Petiot, kleptomania, a lovely gift basket of drugs, a lovely 2400 francs, lovely cyanide and my pearls!
The Great Gold Train Robbery
In this episode we discuss the Great Gold Train Robbery, monocles, the security of keys, the simplicity of shot, the comparative size of gold in Vienetta ice cream and the comparative weight of gold in parts of Rue.
Mutiny on the Bounty: A Taste of Paradise
In this episode we discuss the mutiny on HMAV Bounty, choice chocolates, bothersome breadfruit, coconut fatalities, lazy young people and both the voyage and the episode are too long.
Durable Michael Malloy Vs. the Murder Trust
In this episode we discuss Iron Mike Malloy the Rasputin of the Bronx, setting a goal and failing to achieve it, the heads and the tails, and not one but two musicals.
Stealing The Scream
In this episode we discuss not one, but two times a painting of Edvard Munch's The Scream has been stolen from a Norwegian Museum, really really expensive art, blood and egg, van dampness and Rue isn't impressed.
Ronald Ryan: The Pentridge Prison shooting
In this episode we discuss Ronald Ryan, the last man hanged in Australia, an audacious prison escape, the murder of a prison warder, and an obvious and egregious conspiracy (without bias).
Ma Barker & The Barker-Karpis Gang
In this episode we discuss infamous "gang leader" Ma Barker, Alvin Karpis, money in kidnapping, new noses, and the FBI wouldn't lie would they?
Ra Ra Rasputin
In this episode we discuss the murder of Russia's controversial Grigori Rasputin, lion-taming, lack of monks, lack of poisons, and lack of British Intelligence.
The Houndsditch Murders and the Siege of Sidney Street
In this episode we discuss the murder of three policemen in East London and the siege that followed, dog ditches, an unpopular Winston Churchill and talk about whales more than is necessary.
Charles Starkweather: Teenage Dirtbag
In this episode we discuss the 19-year-old murderer Charles Starkweather and his 14-year-old accomplice, bullies and bullying, sprees and serials, Nihilism, and the relative distances of certain locations in the midwest. Spoiler Alerts for …
Dan ”D.B.” Cooper Rewind: Dan Cooper Takes Flight
In this episode we revisit our Dan Cooper episode from two years ago, following the release of a 6-part Netflix documentary. In the episode which is here in it's entirety with remastered audio and extra clips, we discuss the hijacking of Fl…
The Millennium Dome Diamond Heist
In this episode we discuss the attempted diamond raid on London's Millennium Dome in 2000, false walls and false notes, walking on the dome, Sophie Marceau, and not shooting at boats.
Halloween Special: Ghosts who solved their own murder
In this episode we discuss the Red Barn Mystery and the case of the Greenbriar Ghost in each of which the ghost of a murder victim revealed their murderer. We also discuss the smell of death, the only Mariah, and possibly the best name ever…
Leopold & Loeb: The Imperfect Crime
In this the final episode of Series 3 we discuss teenage murderers Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, Neitzsche, culverts, and when there is only one telephone in the village.
Neville Heath: The Lady Killer
In this episode we discuss brutal murderer Neville Heath, the arrogance of serial killers, the audacity of Madame Tussauds, and a time before Rentaghost and The Cruel Sea.