Hanged: Ruth Ellis and the Price of Passion – Q&A Aftershow

Hanged: Ruth Ellis and the Price of Passion – Q&A Aftershow

In this special Aftershow episode, Esther and Lorena answer listener questions and reflect on the powerful story of Ruth Ellis, the last woman to be executed in the United Kingdom.

Together, we unpack the psychology, the heartbreak, and the social forces behind one of Britain’s most infamous true crime cases. From Ruth’s volatile relationship with David Blakely to the justice system that sealed her fate, we dive deeper into what drove her — and what doomed her.

Plus, Esther reflects on Ruth’s final act, and whether she believed it was her only escape.

If you loved the Hanged series, this Aftershow gives you a chance to go behind the scenes, hear deeper insights, and join the conversation about love, obsession, and justice.


Highlights:

  • The emotional toll of toxic relationships and what they reveal about human behavior
  • Gender, class, and morality in 1950s Britain
  • How Ruth Ellis’s childhood and early adult experiences informed her choices about love, relationships, and obsession



✈️ Travel with Us to Mexico City! 🇲🇽

We’re taking Once Upon a Crime on the road—and you’re invited! In March 2026, join us for a fun, fabulous 4-day group trip to vibrant Mexico City. Explore incredible sights, savor delicious food, and connect with fellow true crime fans on an unforgettable adventure.

Reserve your spot today with just 25% down—but hurry, space is limited and will sell out fast!

🔗 Click here to learn more and book your spot now!


Support the Show:

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review. Your support helps us bring more stories like Ruth’s to life.


Sources:

A Fine Day for a Hanging: The Ruth Ellis Story, Carol Ann Lee, Mainstream Publishing, 2013.

The Last Woman to be Hanged: The Ruth Ellis Story, Robert Hancock, Seven Dials Publishing, 2020.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruth_Ellis

https://realcrimes.co.uk/ruth-ellis-jealousy-rejection-and-a-hanging/

https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/tvfilm/ruth-ellis-real-story-last-woman-hanged-murder-a-cruel-love-b1141748.html

https://web.archive.org/web/20141204212735/http://www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murders/women/ellis/5.html

https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2003/sep/12/ukcrime.claredyer

https://www.hampshirelive.news/news/history/woman-hanged-ruth-ellis-hampshire-4192091

https://www.crimemagazine.com/ruth-ellis-love-lust-and-death-gallows


Sponsors:

See a list of our sponsors and discount codes on our website:

https://www.truecrimepodcast.com/sponsors/


Links:

Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime

Our Website - www.truecrimepodcast.com

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponACrimePodcast


✈️ Travel with Us to Mexico City! 🇲🇽

We’re taking Once Upon a Crime on the road—and you’re invited! In March 2026, join us for a fun, fabulous 4-day group trip to vibrant Mexico City. Explore incredible sights, savor delicious food, and connect with fellow true crimefans on an unforgettable adventure.

Reserve your spot today with just 25% down—but hurry, space is limited and will sell out fast!

🔗 Click here to learn more and book your spot now!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Episoder(393)

Listener Q&A

Listener Q&A

To celebrate reaching 200 episodes we created a bonus episode to answer listener questions. Thanks everyone for submitting them! Links: www.Patreon.com/onceuponacrime To listen to our "haunted" episode go to Episode #108 - Haunted Homicides: The LaLaurie Mansion. Some hear a "ghost" at minute 20 or so. The Scott Peterson episodes with my sister, Yolanda is #71 and #72 - The 12 Crimes of Christmas - Laci Peterson, Part 1 and 2. Special thanks to Lorena Garcia for co-hosting this episode with me and to all the listeners who sent in questions!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

14 Apr 202159min

Artful Crimes, Volume 2: The Murder of Mary Pinchot Meyer

Artful Crimes, Volume 2: The Murder of Mary Pinchot Meyer

A contemporary artist is murdered in broad daylight in Washington D.C. Conspiracy theories about who was responsible begin to swirl after her close connection to John F. Kennedy is revealed.  Resources:  “The Last Painting of Mary Pinchot Meyer” by Maria Hummel for Counterpoint, June 5, 2019. https://crimereads.com/the-last-painting-of-mary-pinchot-meyer/ “The forgotten female artist who may have been murdered by the CIA” by Alina Cohen for Artsy.net, May 16, 2019.  https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-forgotten-female-artist-murdered-cia “Dovey Johnson Rountree, Barrier-Breaking Lawyer Dies at 104 by Margalit Fox for The New York Times, May 21, 2018.  https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/21/obituaries/dovey-johnson-roundtree-dead.html Links: Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrimeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

12 Apr 202133min

Chopped: Anjette Donovan Lyles

Chopped: Anjette Donovan Lyles

A young widow opens her own restaurant in Macon, Georgia in the 1950s. Suspicions arise when the people closest to her begin falling ill and dying. Was Anjette Lyles a serial killer?  Resources:  Lyles v. The State, Supreme Court of Georgia, (1959) "Anjette Lyles, Restauranteur of Death" by Ciaran Conlittle for Headstuff.org, Sept 28, 2017.  "Criminal History: Anjette Lyles poisoned 4 family members for money" by Chelsea Beimfohr, 13wmaz.com.  Links:  Podcasts We Listen To: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/podcasts-we-listen-to/id1211560322 Webpage: www.truecrimepodcast.com Email: esther@truecrimepodcast.com Music Credits: Intro and Outro Music by Aaron Michael Goldberg Other music credits: Cool Vibes by Kevin MacLeod, Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/3553-cool-vibes License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Placid Ambient by MusicLFiles Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/6189-placid-ambient License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Music Credit: Successful Connections In A Technological World by MusicLFiles Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/6998-successful-connections-in-a-technological-world License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

22 Mar 202145min

Chopped: Anthony Kelly and Gordon Ramsay's "Bad Boys Bakery"

Chopped: Anthony Kelly and Gordon Ramsay's "Bad Boys Bakery"

Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay enters London's Brixton Prison in 2012 in an attempt to teach a group of inmates to run a successful bakery. Would he succeed or would the men return to a life of crime once the cameras stopped rolling?  Resources:  "Mad for It" by Lynn Barber for The Guardian, May 13, 2001. "From criminal to trainee cook: 'I owe Gordon Ramsay a lot'" by Erwin James for The Guardian, Aug 14, 2013.  "Gordon Ramsay's Embarrassing Arrest Inspired Him to Set Up a Prison Bakery for London Inmates" by Sabrina Smith for Showbiz CheatSheet, Feb 19, 2021.  Gordon Behind Bars: Season 1 (2012), Helen Simpson, Director, FilmRise Network. Links:  Once Upon a Crime webpage: www.truecrimepodcast.com - click on the red microphone in the corner of the homepage to record your question.  Podcasts We Listen to Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PodcastsWeListenTo/ Patreon: www.patreon.com/onceuponacrimeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

15 Mar 202139min

Chopped: David Viens

Chopped: David Viens

In this series we'll take a look at the restaurant industry to ask "What happens when good cooks go bad?". In this episode, a restaurateur in Southern California is suspected of murder when his wife disappears. What detectives discover would shock and horrify the community. Resources:  "Witness: Cliff Jumper Threatened to Kill Wife", Nicole Mooradian for The Patch, Sept 14, 2012.  "Did California Chef David Viens Kill, Then Cook Wife?", 48 Hours, May 13, 2013.  "Los Angeles jury finds chef guilty of killing wife", The Associated Press, printed in The Florida Times-Union, September 28, 2012.  Links:  Once Upon a Crime Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1730325570622505 Patreon - www.patreoncom/onceuponacrime See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

8 Mar 202140min

Hookups from Hell: Takahiro Shiraishi - "The Twitter Killer"

Hookups from Hell: Takahiro Shiraishi - "The Twitter Killer"

A serial killer preys on vulnerable women in Tokyo, Japan. He will meet his victims on Twitter. (Caution: This episode contains the subject of suicide.)  Resources:  "Inside the mind of the Japanese serial killer who killed 9 people" by Walter Sim for The Straits Times, Nov 5, 2017.  "Japan's 'Twitter Killer' Given Death Sentence for 9 Murders" by Ben Dooley for The New York Times, Dec 15, 2020. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/15/world/asia/japan-twitter-killer-death-sentence.html "Killer who kept heads in cool boxes advertised himself as a professional hangman to lure suicidal victims" by Claire Carter for The Mirror, Nov 3, 2017.  Links: www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

22 Feb 202128min

Hookups from Hell: Wade Ridley - "The Match.com Murderer"

Hookups from Hell: Wade Ridley - "The Match.com Murderer"

Two women meet a man on Match.com. After they end the relationship, Wade Ridley vows deadly revenge.  Resources: 20/20: In an Instant - "Match Made in Hell", ABC Television, aired July 1, 2017 Dating App Horrors: The Untold Story, A&E Network, aired May 2, 2019.  "Mary Kay Beckman Sues Match.com", The Huffington Post, Jan 24, 2013See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

15 Feb 202141min

Hookups from Hell: Mark Twitchell "The Dexter Killer"

Hookups from Hell: Mark Twitchell "The Dexter Killer"

A Canadian man, inspired by the television show Dexter, lures his murder victims through online dating sites.  Resources:  Dateline: Deadly House of Cards, NBC Television, September 16, 2011. "Alleged First Victim Recalls His Escape" by Nahreman Issa for CTV News, April 1, 2011.  "'Dexter Killer' Mark Twitchell among members of dating site for inmates" by Scott Stevenson for CBC News, Jan 9, 2017 Mark Twitchell's "Profile of a Psychopath", retrieved on Scribd.com. https://www.scribd.com/document/52942084/Mark-Twitchell-s-Profile-of-a-Psychopath Alleged Diary from Mark Twitchell's Computer (GRAPHIC WARNING), retrieved on Scribed.com. https://www.scribd.com/doc/202712564/51755869-WARNING-GRAPHIC-Alleged-Diary-From-Twitchell-s-Computer Links: The Troubles Podcast: https://shows.acast.com/the-troubles-podcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

8 Feb 202147min

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