Historical True Crime

A Victorian cult of love, prophecy, and scandal. When Henry James Prince declared himself divine, he founded a religious sect that promised salvation—but delivered something far stranger. Decades later, a new messiah would rise. Thisis the story of the Agapemonites, from spiritual awakening to final collapse. SourceMaterials Henry Prince and John Smyth-Pigott, Agapemonite Messiahs - HeadStuff [https://headstuff.org/culture/history/terrible-people-from-history/henry-james-prince-john-hugh-smyth-pigott-agapemonite-messiahs/] Henry James Prince and the Agapemonites [https://victorianweb.org/religion/agape.html] The Agapemonites: Victorian Britain's premiere sex cult [https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/the-agapemonites-victorian-britains-sex-cult/] The Agapemone – WRSP [https://wrldrels.org/2017/04/03/the-agapemone/] The mid-1800s sex cult in the heart of Spaxton | Bridgwater Mercury [https://www.bridgwatermercury.co.uk/news/20513917.mid-1800s-sex-cult-heart-spaxton/] Agapemonites [https://newreligiousmovements.org/a/agapemonites/]Vicar's sex cult excites buyers' interest in rustic Abode of Love | The Independent | The Independent [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/vicar-s-sex-cult-excites-buyers-interest-in-rustic-abode-of-love-1277680.html]

When William Morgan vanished in 1826, he left behind a manuscript—and a firestorm. This episode explores the man who took on the Freemasons, the mystery of his disappearance, and how his fate sparked America’s first third party. Source Materials: The Masonic Murder That Inspired the First Third Party in American Politics [https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-masonic-murder-that-inspired-the-us-first-third-party-180982495/] One Man Exposed the Secrets of the Freemasons. His Disappearance Led to Their Downfall | HISTORY [https://www.history.com/articles/freemason-secrets-revealed] Masons and American history: The 1826 kidnapping, allegedly by freemasons, that changed American politics forever. [https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2015/05/masons-and-american-history-the-1826-kidnapping-allegedly-by-freemasons-that-changed-american-politics-forever.html] Murder by Gaslight: William Morgan - Revenge of the Freemasons [http://www.murderbygaslight.com/2009/12/william-morgan-revenge-of-freemasons.html] Killed by the Freemasons? The Secrets of William Morgan - Historic Mysteries [https://www.historicmysteries.com/history/william-morgan-freemasons/24461/]

In 1887, journalist Nellie Bly faked insanity to go undercover inside a New York asylum. What she witnessed—neglect, cruelty, and systemic abuse—became one of the most powerful exposés of the 19th century. This week, we dive into her daring investigation and the real conditions behind the walls of Blackwell’s Island. Source Materials: How Nellie Bly became a Victorian sensation and changed journalism forever | Vox [https://www.vox.com/2015/5/5/8548361/nellie-bly-journalist] The woman who exposed 19th-century New York’s inhumane treatment of mental health patients | The Independent | The Independent [https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/women/nellie-bly-mental-health-insane-asylum-a9026906.html] Nellie Bly: The Journalist Who Pretended To Be Insane To Get Into A Mental Asylum [https://allthatsinteresting.com/nellie-bly] Remembering Nellie Bly, Rabblerouser and Pioneer of Investigative Journalism [https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/71974/retrobituaries-nellie-bly-rabblerouser-and-pioneer-investigative-journalism] Ten Days in a Madhouse: The Woman Who Got Herself Committed [https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/29734/ten-days-madhouse-woman-who-got-herself-committed] Nellie Bly: The Journalist Who Traveled Around the World in 72 Days | TheCollector [https://www.thecollector.com/nellie-bly-journalist-round-the-world-travel-72-days/] Nellie Bly - Story, Timeline & Facts [https://www.biography.com/authors-writers/nellie-bly] Biography of Nellie Bly, Investigative Journalist [https://www.thoughtco.com/nellie-bly-biography-3528562] Ten Days in a Mad-House. [https://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/bly/madhouse/madhouse.html] Nellie Bly: Scourge of the Asylums and Globetrotter Extraordinaire - Historic Mysteries [https://www.historicmysteries.com/history/nellie-bly/31605/]

George Chapman was a serial poisoner who murdered three of his wives — but some believe his crimes began years earlier as the infamous Jack the Ripper. In this episode, we explore Chapman's life, his shocking crimes, and the lingeringtheory that links him to the Ripper murders. Source Materials:Casebook: Jack the Ripper - George Chapman [https://www.casebook.org/suspects/gchapman.html]Who Was Jack The Ripper? Meet Seven Possible Suspects [https://allthatsinteresting.com/jack-the-ripper-suspects/2]Could Victorian Serial Killer George Chapman Have Been Jack the Ripper? [https://the-line-up.com/george-chapman-jack-the-ripper]Severin Klosowski aka George Chapman, Victorian Murderer - HeadStuff [https://headstuff.org/culture/history/terrible-people-from-history/severin-klosowski-george-chapman-victorian-murderer/]George Chapman — Jack the Ripper, the most famous serial killer of all time — Crime Library [https://www.crimelibrary.org/serial_killers/notorious/ripper/chapman_17.html]

When 20-year-old Georgette Bauerdorf was found murdered in her Los Angeles apartment in 1944, the city was left stunned—and full of questions. Was the killer a soldier she met at the Hollywood Canteen? A stranger lying in wait? Or someone she knew and trusted? Decades later, her case remains unsolved. In this episode, we unravel the clues and lingering theories behind one of Hollywood’s most haunting cold cases. Source Materials A Hollywood Crime - Georgette Bauerdorf • Morbidology [https://morbidology.com/a-hollywood-crime-georgette-bauerdorf/]California heiress was strangled. Who got away with murder? [https://www.sfgate.com/unsolved/article/California-oil-heiress-strangled-in-home-16632427.php]Georgette Bauerdorf: Murder at El Palacio [https://www.georgettebauerdorf.com/]The Unsolved Killing of Georgette Bauerdorf [https://the-line-up.com/georgette-bauerdorf-unsolved]Spell-Checking A Serial Killer: Reexamining LA's 1944 Georgette Bauerdorf "Bathtub Murder" Note Update 2016 - Steve Hodel [https://stevehodel.com/2016/08/13/spellchecking_a_serial_killer/]