Once Upon a Crime is a weekly true crime podcast that tells “the story behind the story” of real life crime. Told in a storytelling style, listeners are presented facts and information about each case they won’t hear anywhere else. For advertising opportunities please email PodcastPartnerships@Studio71us.com. We wanna make the podcast even better, help us learn how we can: https://bit.ly/2EcYbu4. Privacy Policy: https://www.studio71.com/terms-and-conditions-use/#Privacy%20Policy.
Mens Rea is the legal principle of intent that must be proved in a number of crimes, such as murder. It means literally, "guilty mind". Mens Rea Podcast explores the most notorious crimes from Ireland and the UK and the court cases that followed. Join your host, Sinead, every fortnight when a new case is discussed.
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Mens Rea: A true crime podcast


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111 - Unsolved: The killing of Belinda Pereira
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On the 29th of December, 1996, Gardai were called to a flat on Liffey St in Dublin city centre. Inside was the body of 26 year old British-Sri Lankan woman, Belinda Pereira, who was staying in Dublin for just a week. The nature of her trip prompted many inches of tabloid fodder. She had come to Dublin in order to carry out sex work. But the voyeuri…
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Once Upon A Crime | True Crime


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Episode 241: The Minds of Mass Killers with Author Shavaun Scott
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This week I have a special episode diving into the topic of the psychology of mass killers. What prompts someone to commit mass murder against random strangers? How did Columbine become a cultural touchstone that inspired others to plan and execute their own mass shooting sprees? What can we do to slow down the number and frequency of these types o…
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Episode 240: YouTube Mayhem: Dying To Be Famous
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A young couple on a quest for internet fame record a prank for their YouTube channel with tragic results. Resources: YouTube Prankster Jailed, BBC News, March 15, 2018 https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-43410816 The Last Moments Before a YouTube Stunt Went Fatally Wrong, Buzzfeed News, June 22, 2018. https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/tasne…
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Mens Rea: A true crime podcast


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110 - Too Little, Too Late: The murder of Amanda Jenkins
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Amanda Jenkins was the sort of person who looked for the good in everyone. She was just 27 years old when she was found dead on her bedroom floor. It had taken very little for the bad to emerge in someone Amanda had loved and trusted. ********* Join me at CrimeCon UK on June 11-12 in London 2022! Head to crimecon.co.uk and use the code MENSREA for …
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Once Upon A Crime | True Crime


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Episode 239: The Ties That Bind: The Crimes of Shelly Knotek - Part 2
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This is part 2 of a 2-part- episode. As we continue the story, Shelly and Dave Knotek have isolated themselves, their three daughters, nephew, and a boarder, Kathy Loreno, in their Ramond, Washington home. The torture and abuse Kathy endured would come to a shocking conclusion in July of 1994. Resources: If You Tell: A True Story of Murder, Family …
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Once Upon A Crime | True Crime


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Episode 238: The Ties That Bind: The Crimes of Shelly Knotek - Part 1
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Shelly Knotek has been called “America’s Most Evil Mom”. She abused, tortured, and humiliated her children and partners, but her control and abuse went beyond her own family members. One-by-one people she took into her home as boarders also found themselves trapped and unable to escape her abuse. This is part one of a two-part episode. To get Part …
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Mens Rea: A true crime podcast


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109 - No Air: The Murder of Csaba Orsos
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On the morning of 26th March, 2013, a car entered the water at Arklow pier. Only one of it's occupants emerged from the freezing, rough water. Was it a terrible accident? Or a plan to murder? Additional writing, research and editorial support from Eileen MacFarlene ********* Join me at CrimeCon UK on June 11-12 in London 2022! Head to crimecon.co.u…
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Once Upon A Crime | True Crime


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Episode 237: The Ties That Bind - The Turpin Family
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In this month’s series, we’ll take a look at the fascinating phenomenon of narcissistic family cults - a family unit that exhibits all the hallmarks of a traditional cult group but is led by a narcissistic family member - usually a parent. In this episode, a couple with thirteen children spend decades isolating themselves from the outside world. Th…
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Once Upon A Crime | True Crime


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Episode 236: Livestreamed Crimes: The Christchurch Mosque Mass Shootings
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A young man’s racist ideology lead him to take the lives of 51 people and injure dozens more all while recording and uploading a video of the murders to Facebook Live. Resources: Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Terrorist Attack on Christchurch Mosques on 15 March 2019. https://christchurchattack.royalcommission.nz “Massacre Suspect Traveled th…
A burning car was found in a country lane, just outside of Wexford Town in 2009. When emergency services examined it's remaining shell, the body of a woman was found. It was local woman, 30 year old mother of two Rebecca French. But would there be any justice for Rebecca? ********* Join me at CrimeCon UK on June 11-12 in London 2022! Head to crimec…
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Once Upon A Crime | True Crime


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Episode 235: Livestreamed Crimes: The Arizona Mall Mass Shooting
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A young man who identifies with as an Incel carries out a mass shooting at an Arizona mall while livestreaming it via Snapchat. Special thanks to Dr. Sohom Das for lending his expertise in this episode. Check out his YouTube Channel A Psych for Sore Minds for more insights into the criminal mind and the psychology of true crime! https://www.youtube…
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Once Upon A Crime | True Crime


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Episode 234: Livestreamed Crimes: The WDBJ-TV On-Air Shooting
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A disgruntled, former television station employee takes out his revenge during a live news broadcast. Resources: “Ex-Broadcaster Kills 2 on Air Virginia Shooting” by Michael D. Shear, Richard Perez-Pena, and Alan Blinder, The New York Times, August 26, 2015. “Vester Lee Flanagan: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know”, Tom Cleary, Heavy.com, April 8, 2021.…
In the series premiere, radio DJ Fred Heckman (Jon Hamm) receives an unexpected call from a listener that turns his life upside down. Follow American Hostage on Amazon Music, to hear all 8 episodes right now: http://wondery.fm/MR_AmericanHostageBy Mens Rea: A true crime podcast
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Mens Rea: A true crime podcast


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107 - The Day Trip: Bettina Poeschel
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On 25th September, 2001, 28 year old German tourist Bettina Poeschel took a train from Dublin to Drogheda, Co Louth. She wanted to visit Newgrange - an ancient monument in the Meath countryside. She decided to make the 10km walk from the town to take in the countryside while there. But Bettina never made it to Newgrange. She had disappeared into th…
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Episode 233: Revenge Attacks: UK Acid Attacks
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A bizarre and terrifying crime spree has been on the rise in the UK for the past several years. In this episode, I’ll share stories illustrating how acid attacks have increasingly been used to retaliate against a romantic partner once a relationship ends. Resources: “Acid Attacks on the Rise in the U.K.”, Joanna Kakissis/NPR, Aug 6, 2017. “Acid Att…
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Episode 232: Deep Cover - A Conversation with Jake Halpern
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Esther sits down with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jake Halpern to talk about Season 2 of his podcast Deep Cover: Mob Land. They also discuss podcast storytelling and Jake reveals which well-known actor makes a surprise guest appearance on Deep Cover in Season 2. Links: Listen to Deep Cover on Pushkin.fm - https://www.pushkin.fm/show/deep-cover/ B…
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Mens Rea: A true crime podcast


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106 - Unintentional: The murder of Ann Walsh
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In August of 2005, 23 year old Ann Walsh was found dead in the grounds of the parish church in Kilrush, Co Clare. Gardai made an arrest shortly after the discovery - Raymond Donovan, Ann's former boyfriend. Donovan admitted to gardai that he had killed Ann, but denied her murder. Would the jury agree? ******** Join me at CrimeCon Uk on June 11-12 i…
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Episode 231: Revenge Attacks: Burt and Linda Pugach
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In this episode I’ll share with you one of the craziest “love” stories you’ve ever heard - right in time for Valentine’s Day. Burt Pagach meets Linda Riss in 1957 and quickly becomes obsessed with her. When she breaks off the relationship he plots a despicable act for revenge. Resources: “Burt and Linda Pugach: The story behind Crazy Love”, Amy Tur…
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Episode 230: Revenge Attacks: Sophie Elliott
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A 22-year-old recent graduate of a New Zealand University breaks off a short-lived relationship. Her ex would take deadly revenge on her in one of the most horrific attacks ever perpetrated in the country’s recent history. Resources: “Own Evidence Seals Fate” by John Hartevelt for Stuff.co.nz, July 23, 2009. “Success accompanied by stress: Weathers…
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Once Upon A Crime | True Crime


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Episode 229: Mansion Murders: The Sachs Family Murders
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One family appears to have it all - success, wealth, a happy family life, and a beautiful ocean-view home on the California coast. But, trouble behind the scenes tears the family apart and the story of the Sachs family will end in a shocking murder. Resources: Shadow of Death, CBS/48 Hours, October 15, 2016. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/48-hours-in…
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Mens Rea: A true crime podcast


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105 - Vendetta: The murder of Tracy Butler
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In July of 1993, 17 year old Tracy Butler was set upon and stabbed to death while walking home in what appeared to be a random act of violence. But as gardai began investigating the case, they began unravelling a complicated web of relationships - ones which had turned sour. ******** (Please note: I misspoke in this episode a few times and said Bal…
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Once Upon A Crime | True Crime


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Episode 228: Mansion Murders: Chateau Carolands
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An heiress builds a grand mansion as a showplace on a hill in the San Francisco Bay Area. But, it would become a white elephant and an eyesore during its long history. And, in 1985, it became a house of horrors for two young women. Resources: People v. Raley, Supreme Court of California Appeal, June 18, 1992. Retrieved from Findlaw.com. “Yesterday’…
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Episode 227: Murder in My Hometown: Jeanine Sanchez Harms
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July 27, 2001 Jeanine Sanchez Harms went missing after a night out with friends in Campbell, California. A man she'd only become acquainted with that night, Maurice Xavier Nasmeh, would be suspected of involvement in her disappearance. After a problematic investigation and numerous delays, the case would end in a shocking conclusion. Resources: "Wh…
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Mens Rea: A true crime podcast


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104 - Brazen: The murder of Rose Farrelly
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57 year old Rose Farrelly was found dead in her own home on the morning of the 15th February 1993. It appeared that the house had been broken into, and then the single woman had been beaten, sexually assaulted and strangled to death. The trial for Rose's murder was the first in Ireland to use DNA evidence. But the reason for Rose's murder remains u…
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Mens Rea: A true crime podcast


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Introducing Families Who Kill: The Donut Shop Murders
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In the era of some of the most heinous serial killers of all time, one murderous family went curiously unnoticed: The McCrarys. Led by a psychopathic patriarch and his cunning son-in-law, this Texas clan roamed the country robbing, kidnapping, and killing up to 20 people, most of them taken from donut shops. “Families Who Kill: The Donut Shop Murde…
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Episode 226: Breaking Down Chris Watts with Lorena
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Show Notes: On the last episode of the year, Lorena and I break down the case of family annihilator, Chris Watts. Resources: “Chris Watts: A Complete Timeline of the Murder of His Wife and Daughters” by Rachel Change for Biography.com, Sept 29, 2020. https://www.biography.com/news/chris-watts-wife-daughters-murder-mistress-confession-timeline “New …
What causes people to become killers? KILLER PSYCHE is a true crime podcast from Wondery that covers high-profile cases that shocked the world. Host Candice Delong uses her experience as a clinical psychiatric nurse and FBI Criminal Profiler to dissect the motivations and behaviors of the most terrifying criminals in history. In a recent episode, C…
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Mens Rea: A true crime podcast


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103 - A killing at Christmas: The murder of Maire Rankin
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On Christmas morning, 2008, 81 year old widow Maire Rankin was not answering the phone. Family members called around to her Newry home to check on her - not only had she been recently ill but it was totally out of character for her to not respond. When they arrived at the house on the Dublin Road, Maire was found dead on her bedroom floor. The hous…