The Cleveland Torso Murders: The Art of Looking Busy

Between 1934 and 1938, bodies began appearing across Cleveland—dismembered, decapitated, and left in public places to be found. The violence wasn’t subtle. The patterns weren’t hidden. And yet, the case collapsed under its own chaos.

In this episode of Hot Mess Murder Club, Kat and Holly break down the Cleveland Torso Murders—also known as the Mad Butcher of Kingsbury Run—and expose how nonstop police activity replaced actual investigative strategy. Victims were reduced to labels instead of names. Evidence was fragmented across precincts. Patterns were documented but never connected. And political pressure turned panic into policy.

From unidentified victims like the Tattooed Man and the Lady of the Lake, to the arrival of Eliot Ness and his headline-driven “solutions,” this case shows how an investigation can look busy, burn neighborhoods, and still go absolutely nowhere.

This isn’t a mystery about a brilliant killer.
It’s a case study in what happens when no one is required to prove they’re doing their job.

🔥 Why this case is a Hot Mess:
Victims were dehumanized.
Patterns were ignored.
Evidence was scattered.
Politics replaced accountability.
And failure became routine.

New episodes drop every Monday.
The plot only thickens from here. See you there!

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In this teaser, Kat admits episode one was basically her practice round — but everything changes now that her best friend of 20 years, Holly, is joining the show. Their one-of-a-kind vibe brings a fresh mix of honesty, humor, and those “did-they-really-just-say-that?” moments.

They’re diving straight into a case that hits very close to home — an active investigation currently in the courts. Their guest, a longtime friend who reached out to share her story after tragedy struck her life, gives an exclusive look inside the case with details that demand answers.

It’s factual, in-depth, emotional, and still unmistakably Hot Mess.
New episodes drop every Monday - consider it your alibi.

Welcome to the club!

The conversation delves into the tragic murder of Joseph Gorka, a 76-year-old man, by his neighbor Mikhail Tsukerman. It explores Joseph's life through the eyes of his daughter, the escalating conflict between him and Tsukerman, the investigation that followed, and the impact of the murder on Joseph's family. The discussion emphasizes the failures of the justice system and the importance of accountability, as well as the emotional toll on the victim's family. The conversation concludes with a call to action for community members to intervene in escalating situations to prevent tragedies.