“The Guru's Secretary” Sheela Birnstiel Pt. 2

This episode is part of our “Black Widows” series, where we detail how these female criminals lured their prey, and why they chose to kill. Tune in every day this month for a new episode!  Regular Female Criminals episodes will continue to run every Wednesday. Today, we’re discussing Mary Elizabeth Wilson. Dubbed the “Merry Widow of Windy Nook,” Mary’s lovers had a strange habit of suddenly dropping dead... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1 Juni 20209min

In addition to new episodes of Female Criminals each week, you’ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we’re discussing cases in which a criminal tortured their victim. What would compel someone to torture another person, and what are the lasting effects on a victim who was tortured? Clips featured: Female Criminals: Gertrude Banisewski Pt. 1, Serial Killers: David Parker Ray Pt. 2, Hostage: Colleen Stan Pt. 2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

29 Maj 202021min

In October of 1994, Susan Smith, committed the unthinkable: she drove her car into a South Carolina lake, with her two young sons trapped inside. But rather than turn herself in for their murders, Susan invented the story of a carjacking that sent police and reporters on a wild goose chase for an unidentified man. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

27 Maj 202046min

In addition to new episodes of Female Criminals each week, you’ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we’ll focus on wealthy criminals. We’ll discuss what leads high-status individuals to commit crimes, as well as the consequences they face once captured. Clips featured: Kingpins: Pablo Escobar Pt. 1, Con Artists: Bernie Madoff Pt. 1, Female Criminals: Leona Helmsley Pt. 2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

22 Maj 202021min

In October of 1994, Susan Smith drove her car into a South Carolina Lake as her boys slept in their carseats. Troubling signs point back to the 23-year old mother of two’s traumatic childhood, tumultuous relationships with men, and an infamous letter which would ultimately push her to commit the unthinkable. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

20 Maj 202046min

In addition to new episodes of Female Criminals each week, you’ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. What makes someone so vengeful, they’re willing to take a human life? Using clips from across the Parcast Network, we’ll search for clues by taking a closer look at some of history’s most infamous revenge killings. Clips featured: Crimes of Passion: Marty and Michelle Theer Pt. 1, Female Criminals: Valerie Solanas Pt. 2, Assassinations: Phoolan Devi Pt. 1 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

15 Maj 202019min

When her daughter failed to make the cheerleading squad on her first try, Texas mother Wanda Holloway knew there was always next year. But by 1991, it seemed pretty clear—some things are worth killing for. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

13 Maj 202049min

In addition to new episodes of Female Criminals each week, you’ll now also hear Crime Bites every Friday. Each Crime Bites episode gives you a deeper, yet brief look into true-crime topics covered at Parcast. Today we’re discussing the deaths of American political figures. Whether their demise came at the hands of an assassin, or a political rival, the loss of each of these leaders left an indelible impact on U.S. history. Clips featured: Political Scandals: Election of 1800, Assassinations: Lincoln Pt. 2, Conspiracy Theories: JFK Assassination Pt. 1 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

8 Maj 202020min