296: Australia's First Serial Killer - February 21 2020 - Today in True Crime History

January 19th: Scott Cheever Kills (2005) Diminished responsibility plays a large role in how a person is sentenced. But what happens when their state of mind is, in fact, diminished but by their own hand? On January 19th 2005 a man committed a murder that, he claimed, was not premeditated due to his inebriation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kansas_v._Cheever, https://www.emporiagazette.com/news/police_courts_fire/article_49753006-2231-5c68-a269-9f6c0b7ed546.html, https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/politics/state/2016/07/22/kansas-supreme-court-upholds-capital-murder-conviction-death-sentence-scott-cheever/16580147007/, https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article329472.html, https://www.ksal.com/death-sentence-for-sheriffs-killing-upheld/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

19 Jan 6min

January 18th: Ricardo Caputo Surrendered to Police (1994) Charm has a way of disarming people. On January 18th 1994 a man surrendered to police and admitted to his involvement in 4 separate murders. A man who used his charm to gain the trust of his victims. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricardo_Caputo, https://unsolvedmysteries.fandom.com/wiki/Ricardo_Caputo, https://murderpedia.org/male.C/c/caputo-ricardo.htm, https://medium.com/true-crime-addiction/serial-killer-on-the-run-for-over-20-years-turns-himself-in-true-crime-58d473e051bc, https://www.nytimes.com/1998/02/22/nyregion/trying-to-pierce-the-veil-of-a-serial-killer.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

18 Jan 12min

January 17th: Patrick Edward Purdy Kills (1989) When a perpetrator takes their own life after a crime it becomes impossible to understand their motive. On January 17th 1989 a truly devastating school shooting occurred. Though many have drawn their own conclusion when it comes to motive, a suicide left behind more questions than answers. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1989_Stockton_schoolyard_shooting, https://murderpedia.org/male.P/p/purdy-patrick.htm, https://www.sfchronicle.com/projects/nor-cal-shootings/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

17 Jan 10min

January 16th: Helene Pruszynski Killed (1980) You never know what change in life will put you directly in the path of someone dangerous. On January 16th 1980 a young vibrant woman with everything ahead of her was brutally slain in a case that saw a move, one that offered her a bright future, actually place her in the direct path of someone incredibly dangerous. https://dcsheriff.net/sheriffs-office/divisions/investigations/major-crimes/cold-cases/cold-case-helene-pruszynski/, https://www.sportskeeda.com/pop-culture/5-chilling-details-helene-pruszynski-s-murder, https://www.sportskeeda.com/pop-culture/helene-pruszynski-murder-where-james-clanton-today, https://apps.colorado.gov/apps/coldcase/casedetail.html?id=1138, https://people.com/crime/helene-pruszynski-1980-murder-dna-genealogy-helped-solve-murder/, https://www.9news.com/article/news/investigations/40-years-dark-helene-pruszynski-cold-case-documentary/73-d69931af-088a-42ec-ac0e-2b16bc233a45, https://www.denverpost.com/2020/07/01/helene-pruszynski-murder-james-clanton-colorado/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

16 Jan 8min

January 15th: Kenneth Junior French Born (1971) Mixing alcohol with rage is a deadly cocktail. On January 15th 1971 a man was born who would take his anger and, after a night of drinking, make others pay the price. People who were strangers to him. Show less https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Pearl_Bryan, https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/crime/2022/05/04/abortions-kentucky-before-supreme-court-roe-v-wade-pearl-bryan/9015862002/, https://nkytribune.com/2020/08/our-rich-history-shoe-dealer-solves-ghastly-murder-of-pearl-bryan-found-missing-her-head-in-1893/, https://www.usgenwebsites.org/KYCampbell/legendpearlbryan.htm, https://heathermonroe.medium.com/the-gruesome-murder-of-pearl-bryan-492eb83a859e, https://www.nkyviews.com/campbell/text/pearl_wilhelm.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

15 Jan 8min

January 14th: Zankou Chicken Murders (2003) Business and family don’t always mix. On January 14th 2003 a tragic murder took place within a family. One where the motive remains a mystery but business was greatly affected. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zankou_Chicken, https://lamag.com/crimeinla/the-zankou-chicken-murders, https://www.latimes.com/socal/glendale-news-press/news/tn-gnp-xpm-2003-01-16-export21512-story.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

14 Jan 7min

January 13th: Matthew Steven Johnson Arrested(2002) Many who take another human’s life have claimed to be driven by their various emotions. On January 13th 2002 a man was finally arrested for crimes that, according to officials, had to have been committed by someone filled with a deep seeded anger. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Steven_Johnson, https://www.courant.com/2004/02/14/johnson-found-guilty-of-3-murders/, https://www.oxygen.com/mark-of-a-serial-killer/crime-news/serial-killer-matthew-steven-johnson-crushed-victims-skulls, https://www.nhregister.com/news/article/Hartford-man-guilty-in-slayings-of-3-prostitutes-11675050.php Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

13 Jan 10min

January 12th: Cheryl Grimmer Disappeared (1970) How can a day of fun turn into a nightmare so quickly? On January 12th 1970 a young girl disappeared from a family outing. A girl who remains missing in a case that, though decades old, is still at a standstill. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disappearance_of_Cheryl_Grimmer, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-67450740, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12770197/New-clue-Cheryl-Grimmer-mystery-Witness-says-saw-teenage-boy-carrying-small-child-Australian-beach-day-three-year-old-British-girl-snatched-53-years-ago.html, https://www.police.nsw.gov.au/can_you_help_us/rewards/1000000_reward/disappearance_of_cheryl_grimmer, https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-21/cheryl-grimmer-disappearance-witness-emerges-on-bbc-podcast/103126912, https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/cheryl-grimmer-australia-beach-missing-child-eyewitness-bbc-b1121510.html, https://www.news.com.au/world/europe/explosive-new-claims-in-missing-girl-mystery/news-story/d9ebb20ffb573326e94708eb1cd28a46, https://www.the-sun.com/news/9671792/potential-new-witness-cheryl-grimmer/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

12 Jan 14min