True Crime Trailblazers - 3 Kickass Women Who Shaped True Crime
Release Date: 03/10/2025
The Murder of Jonathan Joss
Once Upon A Crime
Jonathan Joss (1965–2025) was a Native American actor and musician renowned for his roles as John Redcorn in King of the Hill and Chief Ken Hotate in Parks and Recreation. His tragic death on June 1, 2025, has brought attention to issues of hate crimes and the underrepresentation of Native American victims in media coverage. Native activists emphasize that Joss’ death highlights an underreported crisis of mental health disparities and violence against Native and LGBTQ communities. #JonathanJoss #TrueCrimePodcast #MentalHealthAwareness #IndigenousVoices #MediaBias #OnceUponACrime...
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We’re Going to Mexico City — and You’re Invited! 🇲🇽🌮
Once Upon A Crime
Pack your bags and grab your passport — we’re taking the Once Upon a Crime community on the road! In this special episode, we’re officially announcing our upcoming group trip to Mexico City, and trust us, you’re going to want in on this. From March 27–30, 2025, we’ll be exploring one of the world’s most vibrant cities together — filled with amazing food, iconic art, rich history, and a killer itinerary curated just for our true crime-loving community. You’ll travel with like-minded listeners, hang out with your hosts, and experience CDMX like a local. ✨ Trip Details: 📍...
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OUAC Live in London - Killer Knowledge
Once Upon A Crime
On this week’s episode we’re going international! You’ll travel to London with Esther for a behind-the-scenes listen to the Once Upon a Crime live show recorded at CrimeCon UK on June 8th. Esther emceed a game show called “Killer Knowledge” where she challenged fellow true crime podcasters Neil and Megan from Mortal Musings on their true crime trivia knowledge. The audience even got in on the action to see who knew their true crime best. So, grab your detective hat and play along — let’s find out if you’re smarter than a podcaster Links: Patreon -...
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Murder in My Hometown: Six Weeks of Terror - The San Jose Murders
Once Upon A Crime
In the fall of 1984, fear took hold of San Jose, California. In just six weeks, six young women vanished or were found murdered — their lives cut short under brutal and mysterious circumstances. As residents watched the headlines mount, few could imagine the horror hiding in plain sight. Six Weeks of Terror is a gripping true crime story that unravels the chilling timeline of Fernando Cota — a convicted rapist who slipped through the cracks and went on to terrorize a city. A routine traffic stop would crack the case wide open and lead to a horrifying discovery. Sources: This episode...
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BTK Blunders - The Bumbling Serial Killer Dennis Rader
Once Upon A Crime
Dennis Rader, the self-proclaimed "BTK" killer—short for "Bind, Torture, Kill"—terrified Wichita and Park City, Kansas, for nearly two decades. But behind the mask of a monstrous mastermind was a man whose crimes were riddled with laughable mistakes, sloppy execution, and a bizarre craving for attention. In this episode, we dismantle the myth of BTK as a criminal genius and reveal the truth: Dennis Rader wasn’t brilliant—he was a bungler. Tune in as we unravel the twisted, error-filled path of one of America’s most incompetent, yet still deadly, serial killers. Sources: Once...
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Child of Darkness: Mary Bell
Once Upon A Crime
In 1968, the quiet streets of Scotswood, England, were shattered by a chilling discovery: two young boys, just three and four years old, had been murdered—and the killer was an eleven-year-old girl. Mary Flora Bell's name would soon become synonymous with one of Britain’s most disturbing criminal cases. In this episode, we explore the harrowing details of her crimes, the trial that stunned the nation, and the deeply troubled upbringing that may have shaped a child into a killer. Sources: Once Upon a Crime Podcast, Season 1, Episode 7, Killer Kids: Mary Bell - ...
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Buried Alive - The Chowchilla School Bus Kidnapping
Once Upon A Crime
In the summer of 1976, a small town in California was shaken to its core when 26 schoolchildren and their bus driver were abducted in broad daylight. The hijackers drove them to a remote rock quarry, where they were forced into a buried moving van—essentially a mass grave beneath six feet of earth. But an extraordinary act of bravery and resilience led by one victim - a 14-year-old boy - resulted in a daring escape after 36 terrifying hours underground. In this episode, we revisit the Chowchilla school bus kidnapping, uncover the twisted motives behind the ransom plot, and explore the...
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The Case Against Diddy: An Update with Legal Expert Brian Buckmire
Once Upon A Crime
At the end of 2024, Once Upon a Crime released a two-part deep dive into The Life and Crimes of Sean Diddy Combs, unraveling the shocking allegations and federal charges facing the music mogul. Since then, the story has only grown more intense. With over 50 civil lawsuits filed and a federal trial set to begin on May 5th, the once-celebrated producer now finds himself at the center of one of the most high-profile legal battles in entertainment history. In this week’s episode, we catch up on where the case stands now, what Diddy’s life looks like behind bars, and what we can expect in the...
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The True Tale of Lizzie Borden: Part 3 - Lizzie’s Enduring Legacy
Once Upon A Crime
In the gripping conclusion of The True Tale of Lizzie Borden, we turn to the defense’s side of the story. What arguments did Lizzie’s lawyers make to counter the damning evidence? What did the jury ultimately decide—and why? Join me as we uncover the final chapter of this notorious case, from the courtroom verdict to the lasting legacy Lizzie Borden left behind. Don’t miss the dramatic end to one of America’s most enduring true crime mysteries. Catch Up: Missed Part 1 or 2? Be sure to listen to the previous episode to hear about the Borden family, the murders, and the investigation...
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The True Tale of Lizzie Borden - Part 2: The Trial of the Century
Once Upon A Crime
In Part 2 of The True Tale of Lizzie Borden, we step into the courtroom for one of America’s earliest media frenzies—the infamous trial of Lizzie Borden. After the shocking 1892 axe murders of Andrew and Abby Borden, suspicion turned toward Andrew’s 32-year-old daughter, Lizzie. The brutal nature of the crime and the unexpected suspect captivated the nation. In Part 1, we explored the tense dynamics within the Borden household and followed the investigation that led to Lizzie’s arrest. Now, in this episode, we dive into the high-profile trial that gripped the country. Reporters packed...
info_outlineWomen’s History Month: Honoring True Crime Trailblazers
March is Women’s History Month, and we’re spotlighting the female trailblazers who revolutionized true crime. These women—authors, investigators, prosecutors, researchers, and victims’ advocates—played pivotal roles in shaping the genre, uncovering the criminal mind, aiding victims, and helping bring criminals to justice.
In this episode, we explore the stories of three remarkable women whose work has left a lasting impact on true crime. Join me as we explore the stories of three extraordinary women who left an indelible mark on true crime. You won’t want to miss this!🎙️🔎
Listen to the Once Upon episode on Diane Downs here: https://www.truecrimepodcast.com/s1-ep38-monstrous-moms-and-dastardly-dads-diane-downs/
Listen to the David and Cinnamon Brown case here:
https://www.truecrimepodcast.com/s8-ep298-a-family-affair-david-and-cinnamon-brown/
Sources:
https://www.novelsuspects.com/articles/ann-rule/
https://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-ann-rule-dies-20150727-story.html
A Killer by Design: Murderers, Mindhunters, and My Quest to Decipher the Criminal Mind, Ann Wolbert Burgess and Steven Matthew Constantine, Hachette Books, 2021.
https://www.biography.com/movies-tv/a61488077/ann-burgess-criminology-expert
https://www.fbi.gov/video-repository/km-women-agents-2012.mp4/view
https://magazine.wsu.edu/2013/07/31/kathleen-mcchesney-71-agent-of-change/
Links:
Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime
Our Website - www.truecrimepodcast.com
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponACrimePodcast