The Butcher Baker: Alaska’s Most Chilling Serial Killer

Nannie Doss: The Giggling Granny | Black Widow Series

In this chilling installment of our Black Widow Series, we unravel the deadly life of Nannie Doss, the woman whose cheerful grin concealed one of the most disturbing patterns of murder in American history. Known by a string of haunting nicknames—The Giggling Granny, The Lonely Hearts Killer, Lady Bluebeard, and The Black Widow—Doss crafted a legacy of deception, poison, and death that spanned decades and left dozens of victims in her wake. Lena Blackwell and Damien Cross take you deep into Nannie’s early life in rural Alabama, exploring the trauma, strict upbringing, and emotional instability that shaped her path. From her turbulent marriages and her obsession with romance magazines to her chilling use of arsenic as her weapon of choice, this episode sheds light on how an ordinary-seeming woman was able to kill family members, husbands, and anyone else who stood in the way of the “happily ever after” she imagined for herself. We examine how Nannie’s charm allowed her to stay one step ahead of suspicion, how she manipulated those around her with disarming sweetness, and how she managed to evade capture for years. Through newspaper accounts, historical records, and psychological insight, this conversation uncovers the pattern of poisonings that authorities struggled to connect—until one final misstep brought her long run to an end. Join us as we break down her motives, her methods, the investigation that exposed her crimes, and the unsettling legacy she left behind. Whether you’re a seasoned true-crime enthusiast or a newcomer to the darker corners of criminal history, this episode offers a detailed, gripping, and unforgettable dive into the life and murders of Nannie Doss. Behind the Bloodstains continues its exploration of history’s most cunning female killers—because sometimes the most terrifying monsters wear the warmest smiles.

Belle Gunness: The Black Widow of La Porte – America’s Most Infamous Female Serial Killer

Step into the chilling world of Belle Gunness, one of America’s most infamous female serial killers. Known as the "Black Widow of La Porte," Belle lured wealthy suitors to her Indiana farm with promises of love, only for them to vanish without a trace. By the time her crimes came to light in the early 1900s, authorities uncovered a horrifying truth—Gunness had orchestrated a series of calculated murders, leaving behind a trail of victims and an enduring mystery. In this gripping episode, we explore Belle Gunness’s dark past, her suspected kill count of over 40 victims, and the ruthless methods she used to gain money, property, and power. We uncover how she manipulated lonely hearts ads to attract her prey, the gruesome discoveries made on her property, and the enduring questions surrounding her disappearance. Did Belle perish in the fire that destroyed her home—or did she escape to kill again? Through detailed research and compelling storytelling, we take you inside the mind of a woman whose crimes shocked the nation and cemented her place in criminal history. Listeners will hear about her humble beginnings in Norway, her move to America, and how ambition, greed, and a chilling lack of remorse fueled her killing spree. This episode is perfect for fans of true crime, unsolved mysteries, and infamous female killers. Whether you’re fascinated by historical murder cases or intrigued by the psychology of a predator, Belle Gunness’s story will leave you questioning just how far someone can go in pursuit of wealth and control.

The Beast: Luis Alfredo Garavito

Luis Alfredo Garavito is believed to be the most prolific serial killer in modern history, with an estimated victim count surpassing 200 children. Known as “La Bestia” (The Beast), Garavito’s crimes were as methodical as they were monstrous—carried out over years, hidden behind a mask of charity and false kindness. In this harrowing episode of Behind the Bloodstains, we examine the life, capture, and incomprehensible cruelty of a man whose name still strikes fear in Colombia and beyond. 🕵️‍♂️ From grooming to gruesome murders, Garavito operated in plain sight—exploiting social trust, poverty, and a fractured legal system. But how did one of the world's most horrifying predators manage to evade capture for so long? And why did his crimes go largely unnoticed for years? 🎧 Join us as we unravel: * The psychological profile of Garavito * His manipulative tactics and disguise as a kind figure * How he selected his victims and executed his crimes * The investigation that finally brought him down * Colombia’s controversial legal handling of his case * The chilling possibility that he may be released 🔪 Behind the Bloodstains brings you a deep, disturbing look at one of true crime’s darkest figures—told with haunting narration, gripping research, and an unflinching eye on the truth. Listener discretion is strongly advised.

Unmasking Carl Panzram: History's Forgotten Monster

Carl Panzram remains one of history's most fascinating yet forgotten monsters – a methodical killer whose path from abused child to international murderer exposes critical failures in our justice system that still resonate today. Born to Prussian immigrants in 1891 Minnesota, Panzram's life trajectory was forever altered when, at just 11 years old, his family sent him to the Minnesota State Training School. Far from rehabilitation, this institution subjected him to systematic physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. In his own chilling words, this was where he "learned to hate," developing a worldview that would fuel decades of escalating violence. What makes Panzram's case uniquely valuable is the extraordinary documentation of his crimes and psychology. After being arrested in 1928, he encountered prison guard Henry Lesser, whose simple act of kindness – giving Panzram a dollar for tobacco – prompted the killer to produce detailed autobiographical accounts of his life and crimes. These writings reveal a man of surprising intelligence and self-awareness who claimed responsibility for 21 murders across multiple continents, including a horrific incident in Angola where he executed six men after hiring them as hunting guides. Perhaps most remarkably, he successfully burglarized former President William Howard Taft's home, stealing jewelry and a gun he would later use in other crimes. Panzram's story challenges us to examine how systems meant to reform troubled individuals can instead create monsters. His case represents a perfect storm of childhood trauma, institutional abuse, and philosophical darkness that culminated in a man who welcomed his own execution in 1930, spitting in his executioner's face with his final breath. For criminal psychologists, prison reformers, and anyone interested in the darkest corners of human behavior, Panzram's story offers invaluable insights into cycles of violence that, tragically, continue to this day. Subscribe now to explore more forgotten stories that illuminate the shadows of criminal history.

The Butcher Baker: Alaska’s Most Chilling Serial Killer

By day, Robert Hansen was a quiet baker in Anchorage, Alaska. But by night, he became a ruthless predator, abducting, hunting, and killing his victims in the Alaskan wilderness. Known as The Butcher Baker, Hansen’s reign of terror lasted over a decade, with authorities unaware of the monster hiding in plain sight. In this episode of Behind the Bloodstains, we uncover the disturbing tactics he used to lure victims, the shocking way he turned hunting into murder, and how investigators finally tracked him down. How did he get away with it for so long? And how many victims remain undiscovered? 🔪 Subscribe now for more untold true crime stories.