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.

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Swan Songs: Jennifer Levin

Swan Songs: Jennifer Levin

A young girl is brutally murdered in New York's Central Park in 1986. Her killer, Robert Chambers, would be dubbed "The Preppy Killer" in the press and his victim's name would be dragged through the mud. This is the real story of "The Preppy Murder" you haven't heard before.   Listen to "Jenny Was a Friend of Mine" by The Killers here: https://youtu.be/1Bxx_h4vl8Y Resources: "East Side Story" by Michael Stone for New York Magazine, June 27, 2008. "Looking Back at the Preppy Killer Case, More Than 30 Years Later" by Elizabeth Angell for Town and Country Magazine, November 12, 2019. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

9 Mars 202047min

Swan Songs: Katherine Korzilius

Swan Songs: Katherine Korzilius

The mysterious death of a young girl inspires Jon Bon Jovi to record a song dedicated to her.  This is the case of Katherine Korzilius.  Resources: Unsolved Mysteries, Season 10: Episode 7 - https://unsolved.com/gallery/katherine-korzilius/ "Family Searches for Answers, Peace" by Hank Stuever for Austin American-Statesman, Aug 7, 1997.  "Jon Bon Jovi Busy with Singing, Newfound Acting Career" by Winnie Bonelli for The Herald-New, Passaic, New Jersey, June 20, 1997.  Links: Song: "August 7th, 4:15" by Jon Bon Jovi - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoABwDxs9q8  CrimeCon tickets: www.crimecon.com - Use discount code ONCEUPON2020 for 10% off your registration Music Credits: Original theme music by http://AaronGoldberg.Bandcamp.com Other music from Freesound.org - Licensed under the Creative Commons 0 License. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

3 Mars 202022min

Bad Seeds: Leslie Arnold

Bad Seeds: Leslie Arnold

In Nebraska, in 1958, a high school junior holds animosity towards his mother and takes deadly revenge.  He is caught and imprisoned and, years later, disappears for decades.  Where is Leslie Arnold today?  Resources "Whatever Happened to Leslie Arnold, the Boy who Murdered his Parents?" by John William Tuohy,  www.mywriterssite.blogspot.com  "The Mystery of Leslie Arnold" by Henry Cordes for The Omaha World-Herald, Sept 13, 2017.  Music Credits: Original theme music by http://AaronGoldberg.Bandcamp.com Other music:  Licensed under the Creative Commons 0 License.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

25 Feb 202040min

Bad Seeds: Lowell Lee Andrews

Bad Seeds: Lowell Lee Andrews

In Kansas in 1958, an 18-year-old kills both of his parents and his only sibling. Was it a case of greed, mental illness, or was Andrews just a "bad seed"?   #parricide #InColdBlood #TheBrothersKaramazov #deathrow #familyannihilators  Resources: "Lowell Lee Andrews Was 'The Nicest Boy' in Wolcott by Beth Elias for Ranker.com  "Nicest boy in Wolcott" by David J. Krajicek for NYDailyNews.com, Feb. 21, 2010 "State vs. Andrews", Appeal Record, State of Kansas, Dec. 10, 1960. Retrieved on Justia.com.  In Cold Blood by Truman Capote, Modern Library, Reprint Edition, 2013.  Music Credits: Original theme music by http://AaronGoldberg.Bandcamp.com Music from https://filmmusic.io - "March of the Mind" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Other music:  https://freesound.org/s/321070/  ,  https://freesound.org/s/243435/  Licensed under the Creative Commons 0 License.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

11 Feb 202033min

Bad Seeds: Marlene Olive

Bad Seeds: Marlene Olive

In 1975, a rebellious teen enlists her boyfriend to kill her parents in a small, Northern California town. The gruesome crime would be dubbed "The Barbecue Murders" in the press.  Sources: "Kill My Parents: The story of Marlene Olive" by Denise Noe for Crime Library, June 23, 2014 "A Local Murder: Terra Linda was the setting for a real-life 1975 crime" by Jim Wood for Marin Magazine, October 21, 2008 Music Credits: Original theme music by http://AaronGoldberg.Bandcamp.com Other music: https://freesound.org/s/131913/, https://freesound.org/s/403662/, https://freesound.org/s/147495/, https://freesound.org/s/147495/ - all licensed under the Creative Commons 0 License Links: Let's Taco 'Bout True Crime -  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-taco-bout-true-crime/id1452118167  Affirmative Murder -  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/affirmative-murder/id1296864488  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

4 Feb 202044min

Behind the Crime: Aileen Wuornos

Behind the Crime: Aileen Wuornos

In this special episode I'll do an in-depth look at the infamous serial killer Aileen Wuornos.   Time stamps: Early Life: 02:41 Teen Years: 13:25 Young Adult Life: 32:17 On the Road: 35:30 Criminal Activity: 36:12 Tyra: 47:30 The Victims: 55:57 Closing In/The Arrest: 1:36:40 The Confession: 1:44:46 Arlene Pralle/Adoption: 1:51:50 The Trial: 1:56:42 Death Sentence: 2:04:26 Execution 2:12:44 Final Thoughts: 2:14:35 Sources: "Lethal Intent", written by Sue Russell, Published 2002 for Pinnacle Books http://www.clarkprosecutor.org/html/death/US/wuornos805.htm "A Mother's Love" by Mike Clary for the LA Times, Dec 17 1991,  https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-12-17-vw-496-story.html Other links:  Deadly Misadventures Podcast  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/deadly-misadventures/id1494774552  Music Credits:  Aaron Michael Goldberg: https://aarongoldberg.bandcamp.com Music from https://filmmusic.io "March of the Mind" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

28 Jan 20202h 19min

Analyzing the JonBenet Ramsey Case with Jack Luna

Analyzing the JonBenet Ramsey Case with Jack Luna

On this special episode my guest is Jack Luna from Crime Machine Podcast.  We discuss the evidence and theories behind the JonBenet Ramsey Case. Sources: Foreign Faction: Who Really Killed JonBenet? by A. James Kolar, Ventus Publishing, 2012.  JonBenet Ramsey Case Encyclopedia, www.jonbenetramsey.pbworks.com  "The Case of: JonBenet Ramsey". https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6mj3ze  Crime Machine Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crime-machine/id1209610434 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

17 Dec 20191h 34min

The Mysterious Death of Mrs. Jerry Lee Lewis w/Erica Kelly

The Mysterious Death of Mrs. Jerry Lee Lewis w/Erica Kelly

On this special episode, I discuss the death of Shawn Stephens Lewis. Shawn was the fifth wife of Jerry Lee Lewis, the rock and country music star.  When Shawn Lewis was found dead in Lewis's mansion on August 24, 1983, many questions would remain unanswered as to how she died.  My very special guest this week is Erica Kelly from the Southern Fried True Crime podcast!  www.southernfriedtruecrime.com www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime  www.crimecon.com - use offer code ONCE20 for 10% off your standard badge.  Resources: "The Strange and Mysterious Death of Mrs. Jerry Lee Lewis" by Richard Ben Cramer for Rolling Stone, March 1, 1984 "The Sudden Death of Wife No. 5 Confronts Jerry Lee Lewis with Tragedy - and Troubling Questions" by People Staff for People Magazine, Sept 12, 1983.  "Jerry Lee Lewis: 'The Killer' Says the Wild Times are Behind Him" by Jim Sullivan for The Chicago Tribune. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

10 Dec 20191h 29min

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