True Crime: The Staircase | Part 1

Strange Stories: Roamin' Holiday

We discuss the 47-year-old American tourist who impaled himself on the spiked gates outside the Colosseum in the Palazzo di Colosseo in Rome. This ancient arena draws millions of tourists per year, who, unfortunately, deface the landmark with either their body or their carved initials. CW | TW: This episode discusses graphic medical details, including bodily injury and stitches. Profanity likely included. Listener discretion is advised. Email: severedpodcast@gmail.com [severedpodcast@gmail.com] Website: severedpodcast.com [http://severedpodcast.com] Instagram: @severed_podcast [https://www.instagram.com/severed_podcast/] Tik Tok: @severedpodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@severedpodcast] Hosts: Harry Chambers + Drew Hudson Logo Art: Drew Hudson Theme Song Composer | Podcast Editor: Harry Chambers Show Concept | Researcher | Lead Writer: Drew Hudson Available on all podcast platforms, including Rogue Media Network [https://roguemedianetwork.com/podcast/severed/] and Radio Garden State [https://www.radiogardenstate.com/] Sources Royalty-Free Music: ⁠"Italian Country Music"⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHsIqaHb_AA] by Lurè dill'asprumunti (The King of the Aspromonte / Giuseppe Musolino) via Syncphphpax News Clip: Man Armed with Two Swords Shot by Police in New Jersey [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NjSwXF0vG0] (ABC 7 Eyewitness News) Article: “American Tourist Impaled on Colosseum Fence for 20 Minutes” [https://www.deseret.com/lifestyle/2025/05/05/american-tourist-impaled-coliseum-fence-rescue-possible-selfie-attempt/] by Lois M. Collins (Desert News; deseret.com [http://deseret.com]) Article: “Rome: Man Climbs Over Colosseum Gates But Falls and Is Impaled By Bars, Shocking Dozens of Tourists” [https://www.ilmessaggero.it/roma/centro_storico/turista_infilzato_cancello_colosseo_scavalca_cosa_e_successo-8813470.html] by Marco De Risi (Il Messaggero; ilmessaggero.it [http://ilmessaggero.it]) Article: “American Tourist Climbs Over Fence at Colosseum, Impales Himself on Spike” [https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2025-05-05/american-tourist-impales-himself-on-spike-at-colosseum-left-dangling-in-excruciating-pain] by Clara Harter (Los Angeles Times; latimes.com [http://latimes.com]) Article: “Tourist Horrifically Impaled While Climbing Spiked Fence at Colosseum to Take a Photo: Reports” [https://people.com/american-tourist-impaled-colosseum-spiked-fence-selfie-rome-11728227] by Mona Thomas (People; people.com [http://people.com]) Article: “More Tourists Caught Defacing Rome’s Ancient Colosseum” [https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/rome-colosseum-viral-vandals-scli-intl/index.html] by Jack Guy and Sharon Bratihwaite (CNN; cnn.com [http://cnn.com]) Travel Blog Post: “Which is the Ideal Colosseum Entrance? Sperone Valadier or the Stern Gate?” [https://www.headout.com/blog/colosseum-entrances/] via HeadOut Blog Travel Blog Post: “Colosseum Bag Policy: Backpack Rules for Your Visit” [https://qeepl.com/en/blog/first-time-at-colosseum-rules-and-information] via Queepl (qeepl.com [http://qeepl.com]) Medical Reference: Lumbosacral Region of the Spine [https://www.nyp.org/healthlibrary/multimedia/lumbosacral-region-of-the-spine-lower-back] via NY Presbyterian Hospital (nyp.org [http://nyp.org]) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

True Crime: The Staircase | Part 4

We timeline the night of Kathleen Peterson’s death, reexamine autopsy details, discuss their relationship/marital issues, and conclude with the owl and our own theories about whether Michael Peterson was involved in his wife’s death. CW | TW: This episode discusses graphic crime scenes and autopsy details, bloody imagery, potential signs of domestic violence, inferred child neglect and/or child abuse, violence towards an animal, and a barred owl. Profanity likely included. Listener discretion is advised. Email: severedpodcast@gmail.com [severedpodcast@gmail.com] Website: severedpodcast.com [http://severedpodcast.com] Instagram: @severed_podcast [https://www.instagram.com/severed_podcast/] Hosts: Harry Chambers + Drew Hudson Logo Art: Drew Hudson Theme Song Composer | Podcast Editor: Harry Chambers Show Concept | Researcher | Lead Writer: Drew Hudson Available on all podcast platforms, including Rogue Media Network [https://roguemedianetwork.com/podcast/severed/] and Radio Garden State [https://www.radiogardenstate.com/] Source Book: Written in Blood by Diane Fanning (2005) Book: Death by Talons by Tiddy Smith (2023) Autopsy Report: Kathleen Hunt Peterson [https://www.autopsyfiles.org/reports/Other/peterson,%20kathleen_report.pdf] via AutopsyFiles.org [http://autopsyfiles.org] Article: “Subarachnoid Hemorrhage” [https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/subarachnoid-hemorrhage/symptoms-causes/syc-20361009] via Mayo Clinic (mayoclinic.org [http://mayoclinic.org]) Article: “Investigation of Injuries Sustained From Falls Down Stairs” [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1752928X23000793] by Christiana Legaspi, Tyler Hickey, Michael Pickup, Yi Han via NIH (Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine Vo. 98, August 2023) Article: “Scalp Lacerations” by Abdulaziz and Mohammed Madadin via StatePearls; NIH/NLM (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov [http://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]) Article: “‘Death by Talons’ Makes an Unconvincing Case for the Owl Theory” [https://indyweek.com/news/culture/owl-theory-staircase-peterson-durham/] by Mark I. Pinsky (IndyWeek; indyweek.com [http://indyweek.com]) Article: “No, Barred Owls Are Not Trying to Kill You” [https://www.audubon.org/news/no-barred-owls-are-not-trying-kill-you] by Becca Cudmore (Audubon Society; audubon.org [http://audubon.org]) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

True Crime: The Staircase | Part 3

We discuss the blowpoke returneth, verdict, and Michael Peterson’s eight-year sentence, followed by an Alford Schmalford plea. This concludes our 13-episode odyssey into the Netflix docuseries.  CW | TW: This episode discusses graphic crime scene details, including blood imagery and strong sexual themes. NSFW. Profanity included. Listener discretion is advised. Email: severedpodcast@gmail.com [severedpodcast@gmail.com] Website: severedpodcast.com [http://severedpodcast.com] Instagram: @severed_podcast [https://www.instagram.com/severed_podcast/] Hosts: Harry Chambers + Drew Hudson Logo Art: Drew Hudson Theme Song Composer | Podcast Editor: Harry Chambers Show Concept | Researcher | Lead Writer: Drew Hudson Available on all podcast platforms, including Rogue Media Network [https://roguemedianetwork.com/podcast/severed/] and Radio Garden State [https://www.radiogardenstate.com/] Source Docuseries: The Staircase (2018) | Netflix See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

True Crime: The Staircase | Part 2

We resume our deep-dive into the 13-part Netflix docuseries The Staircase. We share insights about Elizabeth Ratliff’s death, Kathleen’s autopsy findings, Michael’s infidelities (redux), and the blowpoke (not a euphemism in this case, just a fireplace poker you can, apparently, blow).  CW | TW: This episode discusses graphic crime scene details, including blood imagery and strong sexual themes. NSFW. Profanity included. Listener discretion is advised. Email: severedpodcast@gmail.com [severedpodcast@gmail.com] Website: severedpodcast.com [http://severedpodcast.com] Instagram: @severed_podcast [https://www.instagram.com/severed_podcast/] Hosts: Harry Chambers + Drew Hudson Logo Art: Drew Hudson Theme Song Composer | Podcast Editor: Harry Chambers Show Concept | Researcher | Lead Writer: Drew Hudson Available on all podcast platforms, including Rogue Media Network [https://roguemedianetwork.com/podcast/severed/] and Radio Garden State [https://www.radiogardenstate.com/] Sources Docuseries: The Staircase (2018) | Netflix Article: “Cerebral Hemorrhage” [https://med.uth.edu/neurosciences/cerebral-hemorrhage/] via UTHealth Houston Neurosciences (med.uth.edu [http://med.uth.edu]) Article: “Diagnosis of Hemorrhagic Stroke in an Exhumed Brain After Three Years of Burial in a Deep Grave” [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22803815/] by Bennet Omalu, Jennifer Hammers, Todd Luckasvic via NIH (Journal of Forensic Science; 57(6); pubmed.ncbi.nlm.hig.gov [http://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.hig.gov]) Article:  “Forensic Autopsy” [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539901/#:~:text=Introduction,of%20the%20evidence%2Dgathering%20process.] by Ritesh G. Menezes and Francis N. Monteiro via NIH (Journal of Forensic Science; ncbi.nlm.nih.gov [http://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]) Peterson Emails: “Strange Than Friction” [https://vanceholmes.com/court/trial_mp_ymca.html] via Vance Holmes (vanceholmes.com [http://vanceholmes.com]) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

True Crime: The Staircase | Part 1

We discuss the first two episodes of the 13-part Netflix docuseries, The Staircase. We discuss Michael's and Kathleen Peterson’s relationship, blended family, and Michael’s infidelities that undermine his credibility before his trial for murdering Kathleen. CW | TW: This episode discusses graphic details surrounding Kathleen Peterson’s death and sexual themes. NSFW. Profanity included. Listener discretion is advised.  Email: severedpodcast@gmail.com [severedpodcast@gmail.com] Website: severedpodcast.com [http://severedpodcast.com] Instagram: @severed_podcast [https://www.instagram.com/severed_podcast/] Hosts: Harry Chambers + Drew Hudson Logo Art: Drew Hudson Theme Song Composer | Podcast Editor: Harry Chambers Show Concept | Researcher | Lead Writer: Drew Hudson Available on all podcast platforms, including Rogue Media Network [https://roguemedianetwork.com/podcast/severed/] and Radio Garden State [https://www.radiogardenstate.com/] Sources Docuseries: The Staircase (2018) | Netflix Video Recording: Staircase 911 Call [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXdpND1QX_I] | Courtesy of Naomi M Article: “1810 Cedar St.--John Adams Buchanan House” [https://www.opendurham.org/buildings/1810-cedar-st-john-adams-buchanan-house] via Preservation Durham (opendurham.org [http://opendurham.org]) Article: “A Complete Timeline of The Staircase’s Michael Peterson Murder Case” [https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/arts-and-culture/a40059316/the-staircase-michael-peterson-murder-case-timeline/] by Emma Dibdin (Town & Country; townandcountrymag.com [http://townandcountrymag.com]) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].