Best Unsolved South Carolina Podcasts (2025)

1
Anthony Sowell – The Cleveland Strangler (Cleveland, Ohio, 2007–2009) 37:14

28d ago37:14

37:14

Between 2007 and 2009, Anthony Sowell was linked to the deaths of 11 women whose bodies were discovered in and around his Cleveland home. Known as “The Cleveland Strangler,” Sowell’s crimes shocked the community with their brutality and the apparent disregard for his surroundings.By TrueCrime

1
The Beltway Sniper Attacks (Washington, D.C. Metro, 2002) 42:56

1M ago42:56

42:56

John Allen Muhammad and Lee Boyd Malvo killed 10 people and injured 3 others in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area during a three-week period in October 2002. This episode details the chronology of shootings, the investigation process, the modified Chevrolet Caprice used as a mobile sniper's nest, the tarot card message ("Dear Policeman, I am Go…

1
The Heather Elvis Case (South Carolina, 2013) 42:11

1M ago42:11

42:11

Heather Elvis, a 20-year-old woman from Myrtle Beach, vanished in 2013. Her disappearance led to a media frenzy and widespread speculation when evidence later suggested a tangled web of infidelity, possible organized crime involvement, and questionable law enforcement leads.By TrueCrime

1
The Smiley Face Murders (Midwestern U.S., 1990s–2000s) 43:18

1M ago43:18

43:18

A controversial theory posits that a serial killer—or possibly a network of killers—was responsible for the mysterious drowning deaths of several college-aged men in the Midwest. Proponents point to unusual similarities in the circumstances of these deaths and the appearance of smiley face graffiti near some crime scenes.…

1
Private Investigations with Magna Investigative Group 1:28:10

1M ago1:28:10

1:28:10

In this exclusive interview, we sit down with James — a retired Huntsville Police Department investigator turned private investigator — to uncover the truth about life on both sides of the justice system. With years of experience handling complex cases and a deep understanding of Alabama’s legal landscape, James now focuses on defense investigation…

1
The Gilgo Beach Murders (Long Island, New York, 1997–Present) 45:55

2M ago45:55

45:55

Dozens of bodies—primarily of young women—have been discovered along the Ocean Parkway near Gilgo Beach.By TrueCrime

1
The Kidnapping of Polly Klaas (California, 1993) 43:37

2M ago43:37

43:37

Twelve-year-old Polly Klaas was abducted at knifepoint from her Petaluma, California, bedroom during a sleepover on October 1, 1993. Richard Allen Davis took Polly into the night, sparking a massive manhunt. Her remains were found two months later, and Davis was eventually convicted. The case received intense national media coverage.…

1
The Pizza Bomber Case (Pennsylvania, 2003) 39:56

2M ago39:56

39:56

On August 28, 2003, pizza delivery driver Brian Wells robbed a bank in Erie, Pennsylvania, with a bomb locked to his neck. He claimed he was forced to commit the heist under duress. The bomb detonated during a police standoff, killing him. Investigators uncovered a web of conspirators allegedly led by Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong. The group orchestrate…

1
The Disappearance of Susan Powell (Utah, 2009) 51:18

2M ago51:18

51:18

Susan Powell disappeared from her West Valley City home on December 6, 2009. Her husband, Josh Powell, claimed he took their young sons on a midnight camping trip in freezing weather—an alibi that raised suspicion. When Josh later lost custody of the children, he killed himself and both boys in a murder-suicide house explosion. Susan’s body has nev…

1
The Disappearance of Dorothy Jane Scott (California, 1980) 42:09

2M ago42:09

42:09

On May 28, 1980, Dorothy Jane Scott vanished from a hospital parking lot in Anaheim, California, after accompanying a coworker to the emergency room. Dorothy had been receiving bizarre, threatening phone calls from an unknown male stalker for months. Her remains were discovered four years later; the killer was never identified.…

1
The Black Dahlia (California, 1947) 41:43

2M ago41:43

41:43

On January 15, 1947, the body of Elizabeth Short, later nicknamed the “Black Dahlia,” was found in a vacant Los Angeles lot. She had been brutally mutilated and bisected at the waist. Despite widespread media coverage and a flood of tips, her killer was never definitively identified. Various suspects have been proposed over the decades, including m…

1
The Santa Rosa Hitchhiker Murders (California, 1972–1973) 45:48

2M ago45:48

45:48

Between 1972 and 1973, at least seven young women (most of them teenagers) were abducted and murdered while hitchhiking in or around Santa Rosa, California. The victims’ bodies were found in rural, wooded areas of Sonoma County. The killings drew comparisons to other West Coast serial offenders, but no single suspect was definitively identified or …

1
The Easter Sunday Massacre – James Urban Ruppert (Hamilton, Ohio, 1975) 41:40

2M ago41:40

41:40

On Easter Sunday (March 30, 1975), James Urban Ruppert fatally shot 11 members of his own family (his mother, brother, sister-in-law, and eight nieces and nephews) in their Hamilton, Ohio home. Ruppert had a history of financial and emotional instability. In one of the deadliest shootings within a private residence in U.S. history, he methodically …

1
The Joseph Naso “Double Initial” Murders (California, 1970s–1990s) 38:12

2M ago38:12

38:12

Joseph Naso was active primarily in California from the late 1970s through the 1990s. He was ultimately convicted of murdering at least four women. Naso’s victims often had matching first and last initials—e.g., Roxene Roggasch—leading some to draw parallels to the “Alphabet Murders” in Rochester, New York (though that case remains separate). Inves…

1
The Taco Bell Strangler – Henry Louis Wallace (Charlotte, North Carolina, 1990s) 40:23

2M ago40:23

40:23

Between 1992 and 1994, Henry Louis Wallace murdered at least 10 young women in Charlotte, many of whom worked at fast-food restaurants, including Taco Bell. Wallace used his familiarity with the victims—often friends or coworkers—to gain access to them. Despite multiple murders happening in close proximity, law enforcement did not initially connect…

1
The Fairbanks Four (Alaska, 1997) 38:41

2M ago38:41

38:41

On October 11, 1997, a teenager named John Hartman was found severely beaten on a downtown street in Fairbanks, Alaska; he died shortly after. Four young men—known collectively as the “Fairbanks Four”—were arrested and convicted despite limited physical evidence. Years later, new witnesses came forward, pointing to alternate suspects. After a lengt…

1
The Mary Morris Murders (Houston, Texas, 2000) 20:04

2M ago20:04

20:04

Two women—both named Mary Morris—were killed in Houston, Texas, just days apart in October 2000. Mary Lou Morris was found burned in her car on October 12; Mary McGinnis Morris was found shot in her car on October 16. Despite similar names and circumstances, law enforcement never confirmed a definitive link. Some theorize the second murder might ha…

1
The I-70 Killer (Midwestern U.S., 1992) 40:00

2M ago40:00

40:00

In the spring of 1992, six store clerks—often alone in small specialty shops—were shot to death in broad daylight along the Interstate 70 corridor in Indiana, Missouri, and Kansas. The unknown killer used a .22-caliber firearm, targeting women (and one man mistaken for a woman due to long hair) in shops close to the highway. Despite composite sketc…

1
Israel Keyes (Alaska & Lower 48, 2001–2012) 1:02:46

2M ago1:02:46

1:02:46

Though based in Anchorage, Alaska, Israel Keyes traveled extensively throughout the continental United States between 2001 and 2012. Keyes is notorious for having “kill kits” buried in various states, which he would dig up to commit murders, then rebury. He confessed to multiple murders—including the 2012 abduction and killing of 18-year-old Samant…

1
The Speed Freak Killers (California, 1984–1999) 29:53

2M ago29:53

29:53

Childhood friends Loren Herzog and Wesley Shermantine carried out a series of abductions and murders across California’s Central Valley, beginning in the mid-1980s. The spree lasted into the late 1990s. Nicknamed the “Speed Freak Killers” due to their methamphetamine use, they were implicated in at least four confirmed murders, though authorities s…

1
Robert Hansen, “The Butcher Baker” (Alaska, 1970s–1983) 31:37

2M ago31:37

31:37

Between the early 1970s and 1983, Robert Hansen abducted, assaulted, and murdered numerous women—often sex workers—in and around Anchorage, Alaska. He would sometimes fly them into the bush with his private plane, release them, and then hunt them. Hansen was an unassuming local baker and avid hunter, which aided in masking his crimes. He confessed …

1
The Rainbow Murders (West Virginia, 1980) 31:18

2M ago31:18

31:18

In June 1980, Vicki Durian (26) and Nancy Santomero (19), participants heading to a “Rainbow Gathering,” were hitchhiking near Droop Mountain, West Virginia. Their bodies were later discovered on a remote backroad, each killed by gunshot. Multiple suspects emerged over the years—some claimed local hostility toward perceived “hippies” contributed to…

1
The Villisca Axe Murders (Iowa, 1912) 29:06

2M ago29:06

29:06

On June 10, 1912, the Moore family and two visiting friends were found brutally murdered in the Moore house in Villisca, Iowa. All six family members and two guests (two young girls) had been bludgeoned to death with an axe. No suspect was definitively charged, though authorities considered local enemies, a transient minister, and other drifters. T…

1
The Zebra Murders (San Francisco, 1973–1974) 32:48

2M ago32:48

32:48

A series of racially motivated attacks and murders occurred in the San Francisco Bay Area over about six months, resulting in at least 15 confirmed killings. The perpetrators, linked to a radical faction of the Nation of Islam (though disputed by mainstream NOI), targeted white victims at random. The codename “Zebra” came from the special police ra…

1
The Jennings 8 (Louisiana, 2005–2009) 31:09

2M ago31:09

31:09

Between 2005 and 2009, the bodies of eight women were discovered in or around canals and backroads in Jefferson Davis Parish, Louisiana. All victims had similar backgrounds, often involved in sex work or had issues with substance abuse. Initially believed to be the work of a serial killer, subsequent investigations suggested potential police corrup…

1
The Chicago Tylenol Murders (Illinois, 1982) 34:53

3M ago34:53

34:53

In September 1982, seven people in the Chicago area died after consuming Tylenol capsules laced with potassium cyanide. Authorities found that tainted capsules had been placed on store shelves, sparking nationwide panic and a massive product recall. The culprit was never caught, though various suspects were investigated. The tragedy led to major ch…

1
The Atlanta Child Murders (Georgia, 1979–1981) 31:20

3M ago31:20

31:20

Between 1979 and 1981, at least 28 children, adolescents, and young adults were killed in the Atlanta area. Wayne Williams was eventually convicted of killing two adults, and law enforcement attributed most of the child murders to him. However, doubts persist regarding Williams’s culpability in some of the younger victims’ cases, and some families …

1
The Texarkana Moonlight Murders (Texas–Arkansas Border, 1946) 31:30

3M ago31:30

31:30

From February to May 1946, a masked assailant attacked eight people, killing five, around Texarkana at night. The press labeled him the “Phantom Killer.” Couples parked on secluded roads were the prime targets. Panic gripped Texarkana as curfews and lockdowns were imposed. Although law enforcement pursued numerous suspects, no one was definitively …

1
The Tammy Zywicki Murder (Interstate 80, 1992) 30:13

3M ago30:13

30:13

On August 23, 1992, 21-year-old Tammy Zywicki’s car broke down on I-80 in Illinois. Witnesses reported seeing a truck driver pull over. Tammy was last seen alive next to her stranded vehicle; her body was found days later in Missouri, wrapped in a blanket, with multiple stab wounds. Investigators suspected a long-haul trucker due to the interstate …

1
Brandon Swanson’s Disappearance (Minnesota, 2008) 30:13

3M ago30:13

30:13

On May 14, 2008, 19-year-old college student Brandon Swanson drove into a ditch on a rural road near Lynd, Minnesota. Brandon phoned his parents around midnight, saying he would walk toward nearby lights he believed were from the town of Lynd. Phone records later pinpointed him in a different location. During a call with his father, Brandon exclaim…

1
The Mary Shotwell Little Disappearance (Atlanta, 1965) 31:36

3M ago31:36

31:36

Mary Shotwell Little, a 25-year-old bank secretary, disappeared from an Atlanta shopping center parking lot on October 14, 1965. Her car was found with blood smears and gas receipts showed unusual charges in Charlotte and Raleigh, North Carolina, under her name in the following days. Despite extensive media coverage, no definitive trace of Mary has…

1
The Freeway Phantom (Washington, D.C., 1971–1972) 28:53

3M ago28:53

28:53

Between April 1971 and September 1972, at least six African American girls (ages 10 to 18) were abducted and murdered in the District of Columbia. The unknown killer—nicknamed the “Freeway Phantom”—left at least one taunting note and was linked to the victims via forensic evidence. Despite multiple task forces, suspects, and revived leads, the case…

1
The Eastbound Strangler (Atlantic City, New Jersey, 2006) 33:26

3M ago33:26

33:26

The bodies of four women—all sex workers—were discovered in a drainage ditch behind a motel on the Black Horse Pike, just outside Atlantic City. They had been placed face down in shallow water, all barefoot, and positioned in a line. No arrests have been made. Some suspect a serial killer connected to similar crimes in other states, but nothing con…

1
The Hall-Mills Murder (New Jersey, 1922) 36:17

3M ago36:17

36:17

The bodies of Edward Wheeler Hall, an Episcopal priest, and Eleanor Mills, a choir singer, were found staged in a lover’s lane. Hall’s wife and her brothers became prime suspects, as evidence suggested jealousy and inheritance motives—but scandal, sensational press coverage, and possibly tainted testimony led to an acquittal. The crime remains unso…

1
Human Trafficking with Investigator Chandra Cleveland 54:00

3M ago54:00

54:00

Send us a text Welcome to Crime Desk, a gripping podcast series by Blunt Force Media where we delve into the darkest corners of criminal investigations. Join us as we meticulously dissect infamous cases, exploring the intricate details and uncovering hidden truths with the help of seasoned experts and exclusive access to case documents and informat…

1
The Springfield Three (Missouri, 1992) 31:12

3M ago31:12

31:12

Friends Suzanne Streeter (19) and Stacy McCall (18) returned to Suzie’s home after a graduation party. Suzie’s mother, Sherrill Levitt (47), was already there. The next morning, all three women were gone—no signs of a struggle beyond a broken porch light. Their personal belongings, including purses and cars, were left behind. Despite exhaustive sea…

1
The Burger Chef Murders (Indiana, 1978) 32:18

3M ago32:18

32:18

Four employees of a local Burger Chef restaurant—two teenagers and two young adults—disappeared during a presumed robbery. Their bodies were found two days later in a wooded area 20 miles away; they had been shot or stabbed to death. While police interviewed numerous suspects and developed leads, no one has ever been convicted.…

1
The Tara Calico Disappearance (New Mexico, 1988) 31:35

3M ago31:35

31:35

Nineteen-year-old Tara Calico vanished during her routine bike ride along State Road 47. Despite an extensive search, no trace of Tara or her bike was found. Months later, a Polaroid photograph surfaced in a Florida parking lot appearing to show a bound young woman and a boy—many believed one of them could be Tara, but that remains unconfirmed.…

1
The Death of Rey Rivera (Maryland, 2006) 31:37

3M ago31:37

31:37

Rey Rivera disappeared after leaving his home abruptly. Days later, his body was found in a disused room at the Belvedere Hotel, having apparently fallen through the roof. Police initially labeled it a probable suicide; however, many aspects—like the strange hole in the roof and Rey’s cryptic note—didn’t align with a straightforward self-harm scena…

1
The Killing of Ken Rex McElroy (Missouri, 1981) 30:09

3M ago30:09

30:09

Ken Rex McElroy, often described as the “town bully,” terrorized Skidmore residents for years with thefts, assaults, and intimidation. Despite multiple indictments, he avoided significant jail time. In July 1981, an unknown shooter gunned down McElroy in broad daylight while he sat in his truck—yet no eyewitnesses came forward, and the entire town …

1
The Suspicious Death of Debbie Wolfe (North Carolina, 1985) 43:14

3M ago43:14

43:14

Debbie Wolfe, a 28-year-old nurse, vanished after leaving work. Her mother found strange clues at Debbie’s home—such as muddy footprints and items out of place. Weeks later, Debbie’s body was discovered in a nearby pond inside a barrel-like container, although initial police reports downplayed foul play. Wolfe’s family believes the investigation wa…

1
The Missing Sodder Children (West Virginia, 1945) 21:12

3M ago21:12

21:12

A fire broke out at the Sodder family home. George and Jennie Sodder escaped with four of their children—but five children never emerged. The official explanation claimed they perished in the blaze, yet no remains were found. Over the decades, the Sodders received mysterious letters and reported sightings suggesting the children might still be aliv…

1
Danny Rolling - The Gainesville Ripper (Gainesville, Florida, 1989) 21:38

3M ago21:38

21:38

Danny Rolling, dubbed the "Gainesville Ripper," murdered five people over the course of two weeks in Gainesville, Florida. His victims included four students and a tourist. Rolling broke into their homes, tied up the victims, and brutally murdered them with axes and knives. The case caused widespread fear in Gainesville and remains one of the most …

1
The West Memphis Three (West Memphis, Arkansas, 1993) 21:18

3M ago21:18

21:18

In May 1993, three eight-year-old boys—Steve Branch, Michael Moore, and Christopher Byers—were found murdered in West Memphis, Arkansas. The victims were bound, beaten, and shot. The initial investigation focused heavily on three teenage boys known as the West Memphis Three: Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin, and Jessie Misskelley Jr. Despite dubious ev…

1
The Boy in the Box (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1957) 21:21

3M ago21:21

21:21

On December 16, 1957, the naked body of an unidentified young boy, estimated to be between 4 and 6 years old, was discovered in a cardboard box in a residential area of Philadelphia. Despite extensive media coverage and a massive police investigation, the boy's identity and his murder remained unsolved until 2022. The case has become one of America…

1
The Texas Killing Fields (Texas, 1983–2010) 23:46

3M ago23:46

23:46

The Texas Killing Fields refer to a stretch of Interstate 45 near League City, Texas, where numerous women have gone missing or been found murdered over a span of nearly a decade. As of recent counts, at least 30 women have been linked to the area, with many cases remaining unsolved. The victims were often sex workers, single mothers, or vulnerable…

1
Jessica Barnes Case Update with Journalist Jennifer Wood 44:39

3M ago44:39

44:39

We sat down with FITS News Journalist Jennifer Wood about the Jessica Barnes murder case on the heels of a reconsideration for bond hearing of Kendall Mims who is charged with: Obstruction of justice Misprision of a felony Accessory after the fact Bond was denied a second time for Mims, but Jennifer Wood explains the alleged abuse Mims also endured…

1
The Silent Killer: An Interview with Brian Bennett on Strangulation Dangers and South Carolina’s Push for Felony Legislation 1:26:10

3M ago1:26:10

1:26:10

We're sitting down with Brian Bennett, an expert on strangulation, elder abuse, law enforcement training, and so much more. Brian is a driving force behind H-3522, a non-fatal strangulation bill re-introduced this legislative session in South Carolina. Listen to learn why this legislation is so important and why South Carolina is the 50th state in …

1
Dr. Marcel Petiot (France, WWII Era) 20:41

3M ago20:41

20:41

Marcel Petiot was a French physician who offered “escape routes” to those fleeing Nazi-occupied France during World War II—but, in truth, lured them to his Paris home where he would rob and murder them. He disposed of victims’ remains in his basement furnace or through quicklime. Investigators found over 20 bodies on his property in 1944, though Pe…

1
Henri Désiré Landru “Bluebeard of Gambais" (France, 1914–1919) 23:41

3M ago23:41

23:41

Henri Landru was a French conman and serial killer active during World War I. He lured wealthy or vulnerable women through personal ads, promising marriage or companionship. Once he convinced them to turn over their assets, Landru would murder them—often at a rented villa in Gambais—and dispose of their bodies, leaving little trace. Investigators e…

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