🎙️ Podcasts
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Criminal
Vox Media Podcast Network · True Crime
Criminal is the first of its kind. A show about people who’ve done wrong, been wronged, or gotten caught somewhere in the middle.
More from this show
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The Midnight Slider
In 2013, a small boat called the Midnight Slider was found floating empty in the waters off of Isle Madame in Nova Scotia. “Murder is not something that occurs in this neck of the woods very often. There’s always been a tradition of taking care of families, watching out, looking out for one another.” This episode was…
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Not Criminally Responsible
In 1992, a young man walked into a police station and said he wanted to turn himself in for a crime. When the police asked if there was someone at home who they could call, he said, “That’s who I killed. I killed my parents.” Mikita Brottman’s book is Couple Found Slain. Tickets for our brand new tour, Don't Worry…
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The Boyfriend Who Never Existed: Inside The "Bed Trick" Trial
Phoebe interviews author Izabella Scott about an unusual trial in England. One woman, referred to as Miss X, accused her best friend Gayle of posing as a man and tricking her into having a sexual relationship. But Gayle said there was no deception – and that Miss X knew who she was with the whole time. Izabella…
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Family Secrets, Part 2
In June of 1985, police followed in pursuit as Fritz Klenner drove through the streets of Greensboro, North Carolina, with his cousin Susie Lynch and her two sons. When the chase eventually ended, it was like “something right out of a movie.” This is the second part of a two-part story. You can listen to Part 1 here.…
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Family Secrets, Part 1
In 1985, college student Ian Perkins reconnected with a family friend, Fritz Klenner, who told him a secret. He said he was a CIA agent — and offered to let Ian come along on his next mission. To listen early to Part 2 of this story, sign up for Criminal Plus at patreon.com/criminal. Jerry Bledsoe's book is called…
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He Was Told It Was a Job. It Was His Kidney They Wanted.
In 2021, a Nigerian man heard from a friend who offered him a job opportunity in the U.K. After he arrived he was taken to a hospital, where he found out that he wasn’t there for a job at all - but instead, for a kidney transplant. Today, Phoebe interviews journalist Alexis Okeowo about an organ trafficking scandal…
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The Informant
In 1978, an investigator in the Harris County DA's office in Houston got a call from an old friend. He told the investigator that he was in jail, that he wanted him to come pick him up — and that he had some information about a case that he thought the investigator would be very interested in. Pamela Colloff’s book is…
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911
A conversation with a 911 operator about what happens on the other end of the line – and the day she heard her daughter's voice on the phone. This episode was originally released in 2024. We're going on tour - and it's a different kind of show than any we've done before. Upcoming dates in Durham, NC, and Portland, ME…
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What Happened When 33,000 People’s Therapy Notes Were Released Onto the Internet
Imagine receiving an email from a stranger that said your therapist’s notes about you would be released onto the internet for all to see — unless you paid a ransom. That’s exactly what happened to 33,000 people in Finland in 2020, and it became the biggest criminal case in the country’s history. You can read Jenny…
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Out of the Box
In 1964, one of the best javelin throwers in Australia traveled to England to see if he could qualify for the Olympics. But, because of an injury, he didn’t make the team - and he couldn’t afford a plane ticket home. So he came up with an idea while working a cargo job at Heathrow Airport: “I saw them shipping…
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A Bump in the Night and Unexpected Guests
Amber Dawn was 20 when she moved into a one-bedroom apartment in Enumclaw, Washington. On her very first night, she began to notice strange sounds. And they didn’t stop. These episodes were originally released in 2017. Say hello on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Sign up for our occasional newsletter. Follow the show…
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Please Continue (Criminal+)
Today, an unlocked episode of Criminal Plus that's full of exciting updates, public service announcements, and Tom Cruise's teeth. If you enjoyed listening to today's Criminal Plus episode and you'd like to hear more - join us on Patreon. It's the very best way to support our work here at Criminal. You'll have…
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How a Volcanic Eruption Led to a Criminal Trial
In 2019, a volcano erupted off the coast of New Zealand - killing 22 tourists who were on it at the time. Four years later, a criminal trial began - where prosecutors claimed that several individuals and companies had violated workplace safety laws, and had “used an active volcano to make money.” Phoebe interviews…
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Mr. Apology
In 1980, posters appeared in subway stations and on telephone poles in New York City with a phone number to call. When you called it, you would hear a message: “This is Apology. Apology is not associated with the police or any other organization but rather is a way for you to tell people what you have done wrong and…
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The Premonitions Bureau
On October 21, 1966, a woman named Lorna Middleton suddenly woke up from her sleep, struggling to breathe. The day before, a man named Alan Hencher was at work in London when he began to tremble all over. They both said they knew something terrible was about to happen. Sam Knight’s book is The Premonitions Bureau: A…
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She Killed Three People with Poisonous Mushrooms. Did She Mean To?
In 2023, a woman named Erin Patterson had her husband's family over for a lunch of beef Wellington. A week later, three people were dead. Phoebe interviews Guardian reporter Nino Bucci about what happened next. You can also watch this interview at youtube.com/criminalpodcast. Say hello on Facebook, Instagram…
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The Comfort Kit
A few hours after Rachel Waters’ mother died in hospice care, police showed up at Rachel’s childhood home with a search warrant. “It had my name and the word ‘homicide’ on it.” For more, read Madeleine Aggeler’s article, ‘Oh my God, did someone accuse me of killing my mom?’ Say hello on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.…
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125 Acres
George Dinning was emancipated in 1865, when he was 10 years old. By the time he was in his mid-thirties, he’d bought the land on which he had been enslaved. Years later, 25 white men approached the house George had built by hand and told him to come outside. Ben Montgomery’s book is A Shot in the Moonlight. Say hello…
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Why Alex Murdaugh is Getting a Do-Over
Earlier this year, Alex Murdaugh’s 2023 double murder conviction was overturned by the South Carolina Supreme Court - due to “shocking jury interference.” Phoebe interviews Wall Street Journal reporter Valerie Bauerlein about what happened, and about the long history of law-breaking behavior in the Murdaugh dynasty.…
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That’s Not Me
Porcha Woodruff was eight months pregnant when she was arrested by police one morning at her home in Detroit. When she spoke with a detective at the police station hours later, she asked them, “Why am I here?” Say hello on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Sign up for our occasional newsletter. Follow the show…
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What Nobody Tells You About the Morgue (with Patricia Cornwell)
Phoebe interviews crime novelist Patricia Cornwell about how working in an autopsy suite inspired her to create her most famous character: forensic pathologist Kay Scarpetta. Plus, Phoebe and Patricia talk about visiting “body farms,” listening to police scanners, and why Patricia says she would have “run from the…
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All the Time in the World
The “body farm” at Texas State University is a place almost no one is allowed to see, because it’s one of very few places in the world that deliberately puts out human bodies to decompose in nature. We asked if we could visit, and they agreed. This episode was originally released in 2017. Say hello on Facebook…
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The Caller
In 2008, an article in the monthly FBI bulletin argued that 911 calls could contain clues for homicide investigations. “The caller, in fact, may be the killer.” Brett Murphy investigated 911 call analysis for ProPublica. You can find their new show, Paper Trail, wherever you listen to podcasts. Say hello on Facebook…
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Riverwalk
In November 2019, nineteen-year-old Zac Brettler went missing. When his parents began looking for him, they discovered that Zac had been living a double life. Patrick Radden Keefe’s book is London Falling. Say hello on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Sign up for our occasional newsletter. Follow the show and review us…
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A Man to Be Afraid Of
Sheriff Buford Pusser said he and his wife had come under gunfire early one morning on a country road - leading to her death. He told one reporter, “I'm pretty sure about who did it, and I'm pretty sure about where he is." Jason Guerrasio's article about Buford Pusser is called "A Bullet, A Legend, A Lie." Oakley…
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Breaking Up is Hard to Do (Criminal+)
This episode is unlocked and available for everyone to listen to! It took some trial and error, but Phoebe finally figured out how to put on makeup. Plus, Lauren asks for advice on delivering bad news, and we hear the latest in a crime story involving bees. If you enjoyed listening to today's Criminal Plus episode and…
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Mantrap
Ed and Bertha Briney’s unoccupied farmhouse was reportedly broken into 50 times over 10 years. They put up “No Trespassing” signs, repeatedly complained to sheriffs in two different counties, nailed doors shut, and boarded up windows – but nothing worked. So they decided to try something else. This episode was…
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The Mountain
On January 18, 2025, Thomas Plamberger and his girlfriend Kerstin Gurtner began climbing the tallest mountain in Austria. But when they were almost to the top, they got stuck. One year later, prosecutors filed charges against Thomas for Kerstin’s death. Say hello on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Sign up for our…
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The Poison Squad
In 1902, twelve young men volunteered for a government experiment. They agreed to eat food laced with chemicals like formaldehyde, borax, and salicylic acid every day, for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They were called The Poison Squad. Deborah Blum’s book is The Poison Squad. Say hello on Facebook, Instagram and…
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Poisoned
In January 1993, a lot of children started showing up at Seattle Children’s Hospital with the same unusual symptoms. Doctors didn't know what was going on – until they realized that most of the children had recently eaten at the same restaurant: Jack in the Box. Jeff Benedict’s book is Poisoned: The True Story of the…
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