In 2019, Russian historian Oleg Sokolov—once celebrated as an expert on Napoleon—was pulled from a freezing river carrying a backpack stuffed with severed limbs. Behind the bizarre headlines was a story of obsession, abuse, and academic arrogance gone homicidal.

This week, we unpack the chilling case of the so-called Napoleon Butcher of St. Petersburg—a man who thought he was a genius but turned out to be just another violent coward in a costume.

*WARNING* This episode is graphic and deeply upsetting - but Junko's story deserves to be told, with truth and empathy. Join us as we honor her memory and examine the lasting impact her case had on Japan and the global true crime community*

*LISTENER DISCRESION IS STRONGLY ADVISED*

In this episode we recount one of the most disturbing and heartbreaking cases in true crime history- the abduction, torture and murder of 17 year old Junko Furuta in 1980's Japan. For 44 unimaginable days, Junko endured unspeakable torture at the hands of 4 teenage boys, all while being held captive in a suburban home where adults were present- and silent. We explore the events leading up to her kidnapping, the horrifying ordeal she was subjected to, the societal failures that allowed it to continue and the controversial trial that followed.

sources;

Tokyo District Court Records (1989-1990)

"44 Days of Hell- The story of Junko Furuta" (documented case summeries)

Cruelty: Human Evil and the Human Brain by Kathleen Taylor

nestled beneath a canopy of ancient oaks draped in Spanish moss, the Myrtles Planation is often called "one of America's most haunted homes". but how much of its chilling reputation is rooted in fact-- and how much is legend passed down, twisted and embellished over time? join us in the basement as we peel back the layers of folklore- like the story of Chloe, the enslaved woman accused of poisoning her master's family or the gunshot death of William Winter. Through historical research, eyewitness accounts, and critical examination of the paranormal claims and some laughs along the way if you like the haunts this story is one you wanna join us for.

wikipedia"Myrtles Plantation' and "Legends of Myrtles Plantation"

Medium-"The History and the Haunting of the Myrtles Plantation" (R.K Harrington, Aug 2020)

Ghost Hunters, season 2 episode 1 titled "St. Francisville, LA Myrtles Plantation" aired july 27, 2005

Today we finish our story about Jackie Schut by discussing how she was finally caught. We discuss the work of supercop Detective Regimbal and the outcome of the trial.

Source material for this episode comes from Ann Rule's book Lying in Wait

Part 1 of our first 2 part episode! This story comes from Ann Rule's book Lying in Wait. The Baby Seller aka Jackie Schut is as bad as they come. In Part 1, we discuss Jackie's background and assorted crimes as well as the two known victims, Geneva Clemons and Cheryl Jones. They were two mothers who were murdered by Jackie, so that she could steal their babies and sell them. Follow us to a dark place!

In this haunting episode of From A Dark Place, we uncover the deeply disturbing and heartbreaking story of Rhoda Derry- Born in the mid 1800's, Rhoda's life spiraled into darkness after a forbidden love and an alleged curse from arrival family. What followed was decades of unimaginable suffering, confinement and abuse in an Illinois' mental health facility.

Join us as we trace Rhoda's journey from a bright young woman to a soul lost in the cracks of a failing system. We explore the cruelty she endured, the myths surrounding her madness and the shocking truth about how society once treated those deemed "insane".

This is not just a story about mental illness -- it's about injustice, humanity and the desperate need for reform.

TRIGGER WARNING: this episode contains descriptions of abuse, neglect and mental health.

sources:

-Rhoda Derry; a tragedy of Illinois insane asylums by Mark D. Davis

-Historical records from the Adams County Poor Farm

-Illinois state hospital archives

-"Dr George Zellar and the Moral Treatment Movement" Illinois State Historical Society

The title says it all. Today we talk about Leonarda Cianciulli, the soap maker of Correggio. But Amy, Dani, what's so dark about making soap? Let us tell you! It's not so much about the soap as what (or who) it's made from.....

In this episode, we explore the heartbreaking and mysterious case of Billy Martin a 7 year old boy who vanished without a trace from his hometown of Brazil, Indiana right out of his front yard... sparking one of the most unsettling and enduring mysteries in the states history. In this episode, we take you back to that summer afternoon- the carnival across town, the tricycles in the driveway, and the trusted boarder named "Tex" who was the last to see Billy alive. What followed was a frantic search filled with inconsistencies, failed polygraphs and chilling rumors that persist to this day. Was Billy the victim of a random act-- or did someone close to the family hold the key all along? This case remains unsolved nearly 70 years later. This is the story of Billy Earl Martin-a boy who vanished and a family and community still haunted by questions.

sources- The Charley Project- profile:billy earl martin charleyproject.org

The Doe Network- Case File; 6387DMIN doenetwork.org

newpapers.com

genealogybank.com