In the early 1980s, women began disappearing from the streets of Chicago. Some were later found murdered. Others, remarkably, survived. And the distinctive injuries inflicted upon them would eventually lead police to believe they weren’t dealing with isolated attacks at all.

Their investigation led to four men: Robin Gecht, Edward Spreitzer and brothers Andrew and Thomas Kokoraleis. The press would give them the suitably horrifying name the Ripper Crew or Chicago Rippers. Dee, however, refuses to give them a nickname they might actually have enjoyed - so welcome to the story of the Loser Crew.

Content warning: This episode discusses murder, sexual violence and mutilation. Some details are disturbing, although graphic descriptions have been kept to what is necessary to understand the case.

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Sources

• People v. Spreitzer (1988), Supreme Court of IllinoisRead via Justia

• People v. Kokoraleis (1989), Supreme Court of IllinoisRead via Justia

• People v. Kokoraleis (1990), Illinois Appellate CourtRead via CaseMine

• People v. Gecht (2008), Illinois Appellate Court Read via FindLaw

• Spreitzer v. Peters (1997), US Court of Appeals for the Seventh CircuitRead via Justia

• Kokoraleis v. Gilmore (1998), US Court of Appeals for the Seventh CircuitRead via Justia

• United Press International archives (1982–1987)UPI report, 10 November 1982UPI report, 11 November 1982

• Illinois Department of Corrections.Robin Gecht recordEdward Spreitzer record

• Associated Press and ABC7 Chicago, 2019Associated Press reportABC7 Chicago report

• CBS Chicago, 2019 CBS Chicago interview and report

• Amnesty International, 1999Read the Amnesty International document

• “Satanic Abuse, False Memories, Weird Beliefs and Moral Panics”Read via City St George’s, University of London