Crime is so commonplace that it takes something particularly shocking to be labelled the “crime of the century.” Even so, there are a lot of cases that have earned the distinction. In each episode of Crimes of the Centuries, award-winning journalist Amber Hunt will examine a case that’s lesser known today but was huge when it happened. The cases explored span the centuries and each left a mark. Some made history by changing laws. Others were so shocking they changed society.
📻 Siste episoder av Crimes of the Centuries
Her er de nyeste episodene tilgjengelige via RSS-feeden:
S5: Bonus: Gary Glitter and the Dark Side of Glam Rock (00:33:26)
For this holiday week, we're releasing an episode that initially was available only to subscribers through GrabBagCollab.com and Apple Podcasts. In the 1970s, Gary Glitter was a glam rock sensation: sequins, stadium anthems, and screaming teenage fans. But like Jimmy Savile, he used fame as a weapon. This bonus episode unpacks his rise, fall, and the disturbing legacy he left behind.
Introducing The Burden: Death & Deceit in Alliance (00:14:16)
On April Fools Day 1999, 26-year-old Yvonne Layne was found murdered in her Alliance, Ohio home. David Thorne, her ex-boyfriend and father of one of her children, was instantly a suspect. Another young man admitted to the murder, and David breathed a sigh of relief, until the confessed murderer fingered David; “He paid me to do it.” David was sentenced to life without parole. Two decades later, Pulitzer winner and podcast host, Maggie Freleng (Bone Valley Season 3: Graves County, Wrongful Conviction, Suave) launched a “live” investigation into David's conviction alongside Jason Baldwin (himself wrongfully convicted as a member of the West Memphis Three). Maggie had come to believe that the entire investigation of David was botched by the tiny local police department, or worse, covered up the real killer. Was Maggie correct? Was David’s claim of innocence credible? In Death and Deceit in Alliance, Maggie recounts the case that launched her career, and ultimately, “broke” her.”
New episodes of Death and Deceit in Alliance will be available every Tuesday and Friday starting on December 2 wherever you get your podcasts. To binge the entire season, ad-free, subscribe to True Crime Clubhouse on Apple podcasts.
S5 Ep39: All the Queen's Money: The Fall of Rita Crundwell (00:52:41)
For two decades, the small Illinois town of Dixon couldn't afford new trucks, fresh asphalt, or summer pools. Meanwhile, their trusted treasurer lived like royalty—breeding champion horses, dripping in diamonds, and cruising the country in a $2 million RV. When the truth came out, it was the largest municipal fraud in U.S. history.
"Crimes of the Centuries" is a podcast from Grab Bag Collab exploring forgotten crimes from times past that made a mark and helped change history. You can get early and ad-free episodes and more over at www.grabbagcollab.com
DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE CRIMES OF THE CENTURIES BOOK! Order today at www.centuriespod.com/book (https://www.centuriespod.com/book)!
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @centuriespod
Episode Sponsors:
Quince. Give a gift they’ll actually use and love. Go to https://quince.com/CENTURIES for free shipping and 365-day returns.
S5 Ep38: Milkshakes and Murder: The Kissel Brothers (00:55:27)
When two wealthy brothers from the same family were murdered three years and 8,000 miles apart, it seemed too strange to be coincidence. But behind both crimes lay the same forces—greed, arrogance, and the illusion of control.
"Crimes of the Centuries" is a podcast from Grab Bag Collab exploring forgotten crimes from times past that made a mark and helped change history. You can get early and ad-free episodes and more over at www.grabbagcollab.com
DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE CRIMES OF THE CENTURIES BOOK! Order today at www.centuriespod.com/book (https://www.centuriespod.com/book)!
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @centuriespod
Episode Sponsors:
Home Chef. Make dinnertime easy again. Get 50% off your first box and free dessert for life at https://homechef.com/COTC.)
ButcherBox. Free steak for a year plus $20 off your first box at https://butcherbox.com/COTC.
DripDrop. Fast, science-backed hydration that actually tastes good. Get 20% off at https://dripdrop.com with code COTC.
Hims. Simple, online access to personalized care. Visit https://hims.com/COTC for your free online visit
S5 Ep37: The Murder Farm of Jasper County (00:51:53)
A boy’s discovery in the Yellow River launched one of the South’s most shocking murder investigations. What authorities found on John S. Williams’s farm in 1921 exposed a brutal system hiding in plain sight. The Georgia case made national headlines and forced Americans to confront how easily cruelty had survived just beneath the surface of everyday life.
"Crimes of the Centuries" is a podcast from Grab Bag Collab exploring forgotten crimes from times past that made a mark and helped change history. You can get early and ad-free episodes and more over at www.grabbagcollab.com
DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE CRIMES OF THE CENTURIES BOOK! Order today at www.centuriespod.com/book (https://www.centuriespod.com/book)!
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @centuriespod
Episode Sponsors:
Ollie. Take the guesswork out of your dog’s well-being. Go to ollie.com/cotc and use code cotc to get 60% off your first box!
Galatea. Your next obsession-worthy romance is waiting. Visit https://galatea.com/COTC for an extra 25% off.
Storyworth. Capture your family’s memories before they’re lost. Visit https://storyworth.com/cotc to save $10 or more.
S5 Ep36: Thomas Jefferson and the $157,000 Bottle (00:58:55)
In 1985, Christie’s auctioned off a dusty Bordeaux engraved with the initials “Th.J.” The seller claimed it had once belonged to Thomas Jefferson, and the bottle fetched an astonishing $157,000. It was a record-setting sale that turned the wine world upside down — and raised a bigger question: had history truly been uncorked, or had wealthy collectors just bought into a very expensive story?
"Crimes of the Centuries" is a podcast from Grab Bag Collab exploring forgotten crimes from times past that made a mark and helped change history. You can get early and ad-free episodes and more over at www.grabbagcollab.com
DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE CRIMES OF THE CENTURIES BOOK! Order today at www.centuriespod.com/book (https://www.centuriespod.com/book)!
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @centuriespod
Episode Sponsors:
Miracle Made. Upgrade your sleep with Miracle Made!
Go to https://trymiracle.com/COTC and use the code COTC to claim your FREE 3 PIECE TOWEL SET and SAVE over 40% OFF.
Rula. Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/cotc #rulapod
Quince. Give a gift they’ll actually use and love with Quince. Go to Quince.com/centuries for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.
DripDrop. Right now, DripDrop is offering podcast listeners 20% off your first order. Go to dripdrop.com and use promo code COTC.
S5 Ep35: The Saint and the Survivors: The Story of Junípero Serra (00:51:19)
He gave up comfort for a calling, left Spain for the wilds of California, and walked thousands of miles to bring the Gospel to Indigenous people. Father Junípero Serra is revered by some as a saintly hero — the man who brought Catholicism to the West Coast. But to others, he represents something far darker: a symbol of colonization, forced assimilation, and cultural destruction.
"Crimes of the Centuries" is a podcast from Grab Bag Collab exploring forgotten crimes from times past that made a mark and helped change history. You can get early and ad-free episodes and more over at www.grabbagcollab.com
DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE CRIMES OF THE CENTURIES BOOK! Order today at www.centuriespod.com/book (https://www.centuriespod.com/book)!
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @centuriespod
Episode Sponsors:
ButcherBox. As an exclusive offer, our listeners can get free steak in every box for a year PLUS $20 off your first box when you go to ButcherBox.com/COTC
DripDrop. Right now, DripDrop is offering podcast listeners 20% off your first order. Go to dripdrop.com and use promo code COTC
Hims. To get simple, online access to personalized, affordable care for ED, Hair Loss, Weight Loss, and more, visit Hims.com/COTC
Miracle Made. Upgrade your sleep with Miracle Made!
Go to https://trymiracle.com/COTC and use the code COTC to claim your FREE 3 PIECE TOWEL SET and SAVE over 40% OFF
S5 Ep34: The Monster in Plain Sight: Jimmy Savile (00:58:02)
He was the BBC’s quirky golden boy — cigar in hand, tracksuit on, always ready to raise money for charity. Margaret Thatcher lobbied to get him knighted. The Queen pinned the honor on him. And all the while, Jimmy Savile was one of Britain’s most prolific sexual predators.
"Crimes of the Centuries" is a podcast from Grab Bag Collab exploring forgotten crimes from times past that made a mark and helped change history. You can get early and ad-free episodes and more over at www.grabbagcollab.com
DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE CRIMES OF THE CENTURIES BOOK! Order today at www.centuriespod.com/book (https://www.centuriespod.com/book)!
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @centuriespod
Episode Sponsors:
Galatea. Right now, Galatea is offering our listeners an extra 25% off on top of an already-irresistibly-affordable subscription when you go to GALATEA.COM/COTC.
Beam Dream. Go to shopbeam.com/COTC, use code COTC, and get up to 50% off during Beam’s Cyber Sale. You can grab Dream for just $32.50—But here’s the catch—Dream is only available at this price until it sells out.
Storyworth. Give your loved ones a unique keepsake you’ll all cherish for years—Storyworth Memoirs! Right now, save $10 or more during their Holiday sale when you go to STORYWORTH.com/cotc! That’s STORYWORTH dot com slash cotc to save $10 or more on your order!
Ollie. Take the guesswork out of your dog's well-being. Go to ollie.com/cotc and use code cotc to get 60% off your first box!
More Like Ancient FAILiens: Underground Aliens with Guest Amber Hunt (01:08:34)
While Crimes Of The Centuries is dark this week, please enjoy this special episode of the podcast, More Like Ancient Fail-iens, where Amber Hunt was a special guest!
Whether you are in your enormous underground city hiding from battling sky gods or run into an ant-person who just feels more comfortable beneath the earth’s surface, you, too, have had your life affected by underground aliens. Brandon and Toby are joined by esteemed journalist Amber Hunt to explore the reality behind these subterranean visitors.
You can find more episodes of More Like Ancient Fail-iens, wherever you get your podcasts, or early and ad-free over at www.grabbagcollab.com
Follow Grab Bag Collab on Instagram and Facebook.
S5 Ep33: The Nazi Killed at the Laundromat — and How It Shaped Modern Extremism (00:52:52)
In August 1967, George Lincoln Rockwell — founder of the American Nazi Party and one of the most hated men in America — was shot by a sniper while doing laundry at a suburban strip mall. His murder made international headlines. The funeral descended into chaos. Conspiracy theories emerged immediately. And then...America forgot. But Rockwell's death had lasting impact: It shattered American neo-Nazism into the decentralized, leaderless cells we see today.
"Crimes of the Centuries" is a podcast from Grab Bag Collab exploring forgotten crimes from times past that made a mark and helped change history. You can get early and ad-free episodes and more over at www.grabbagcollab.com
DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE CRIMES OF THE CENTURIES BOOK! Order today at www.centuriespod.com/book (https://www.centuriespod.com/book)!
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @centuriespod
Episode Sponsors:
Rula. Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/cotc #rulapod
Cornbread Hemp. Right now, COTC listeners can save 30% on their first order! Just head to cornbreadhemp.com/COTC and use code COTC at checkout.
Hiya Health. We've worked out a special deal with Hiya for their best-selling children's vitamin. Receive 50% off your first order. To claim this deal you must go to hiyahealth.com/COTC. This deal is not available on their regular website.
Monsters Among Us. Whether you’re a skeptic or a true believer, Monsters Among Us is the perfect podcast to fuel your fascination with the paranormal and send shivers down your spine. Listen to Monsters Among Us Podcast now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!
S5 Ep32: Horst Wessel: The Making of a Nazi Martyr (00:51:13)
When Horst Wessel died in 1930, he was an obscure 22-year-old member of the SA. Within months, Joseph Goebbels had elevated him into a saint of the Third Reich, complete with a theme song that would echo through rallies, classrooms, and pogroms. This episode traces how a violent street thug became the most famous Nazi martyr — and why his name still matters in extremist circles today.
Crimes of the Centuries" is a podcast from Grab Bag Collab exploring forgotten crimes from times past that made a mark and helped change history. You can get early and ad-free episodes on the Grab Bag Patreon page.
DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE CRIMES OF THE CENTURIES BOOK! Order today at www.centuriespod.com/book (https://www.centuriespod.com/book)!
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @centuriespod
Episode Sponsors:
Beam Dream. FOR A LIMITED TIME Beam is giving my listeners their best offer yet: up to 40% off. So with my discount code, COTC, you can get their best selling dream powder for just $39 dollars. Go to shopbeam.com/COTC and use code COTC at checkout.
Hims. To get simple, online access to personalized, affordable care for ED, Hair Loss, Weight Loss, and more, go to Hims.com/COTC for your free online visit.
Butcherbox. As an exclusive offer, our listeners can get free protein in every box for a year PLUS $20 off your first box when you go to ButcherBox.com/COTC to get this limited time offer and free shipping always.
S5 Ep31: Murder in the Mews: The Fall of Elvira Barney (00:43:58)
London in the early 1930s was captivated by the Bright Young Things — aristocratic sons and daughters whose glittering parties and endless scandals filled the tabloids. Among them was Elvira Mullens Barney, a socialite whose beauty and notoriety made her one of the set’s most talked-about figures. But on the morning of May 31, 1932, the headlines turned deadly. Her lover, Michael Scott Stephen, was found shot in her West End flat. Was it murder, a tragic accident, or something in between?
"Crimes of the Centuries" is a podcast from Grab Bag Collab exploring forgotten crimes from times past that made a mark and helped change history. You can get early and ad-free episodes on the Grab Bag Patreon page.
DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE CRIMES OF THE CENTURIES BOOK! Order today at www.centuriespod.com/book (https://www.centuriespod.com/book)!
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @centuriespod
Episode Sponsors:
Cornbread Hemp. Right now, COTC listeners can save 30% on their first order! Just head to cornbreadhemp.com/COTC and use code COTC at checkout.
Galatea. Right now, Galatea is offering our listeners an extra 25% off on top of an already-irresistibly-affordable subscription when you go to GALATEA.COM/COTC.
Ollie. Take the guesswork out of your dog's well-being. Go to ollie.com/cotc and use code cotc to get 60% off your first box!
S5 Ep30: The Prophet of Kirtland, Part 2: Blood Atonement (00:50:41)
Despite police informants thwarting one of his deadly plans, cult leader Jeffrey Lundgren’s appetite for violence couldn’t be satiated. When one target was out of reach, he simply shifted his sights to another — this time, a family who trusted him completely. They had followed him to Ohio believing he was a prophet of God, searching for salvation. What they found instead was a man who believed that some sins could only be cleansed through blood atonement — and a group of followers willing to do his bloody bidding.
"Crimes of the Centuries" is a podcast from Grab Bag Collab exploring forgotten crimes from times past that made a mark and helped change history. You can get early and ad-free episodes on the Grab Bag Patreon page.
DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE CRIMES OF THE CENTURIES BOOK! Order today at www.centuriespod.com/book (https://www.centuriespod.com/book)!
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @centuriespod
Episode Sponsors:
Cornbread Hemp. Right now, COTC listeners can save 30% on their first order! Just head to cornbreadhemp.com/COTC and use code COTC at checkout.
Butcher Box. Right now, ButcherBox is offering our listeners $20 off their first box and free protein for a year. Go to ButcherBox.com/cotc to get this limited time offer and free shipping always.
Rula. Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/cotc #rulapod
S5 Ep29: The Prophet of Kirtland, Part 1: The Birth of a Cult (00:50:54)
In 1980s Ohio, Jeffrey Lundgren wasn’t just studying scripture — he was twisting it into something dangerous. To outsiders, he was a soft-spoken tour guide at a historic church site. But behind closed doors, Lundgren was preaching a radical new theology, gathering followers and slowly convincing them that he spoke for God. His target? The Kirtland Temple — once the holiest site in the Latter Day Saint movement.
"Crimes of the Centuries" is a podcast from Grab Bag Collab exploring forgotten crimes from times past that made a mark and helped change history. You can get early and ad-free episodes on the Grab Bag Patreon page.
DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE CRIMES OF THE CENTURIES BOOK! Order today at www.centuriespod.com/book (https://www.centuriespod.com/book)!
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter
Episode Sponsors:
Quince. Make your bed the coziest place in the house this fall—with Quince. Go to Quince.com/centuries for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.
Hiya Health. We've worked out a special deal with Hiya for their best selling children's vitamin. Receive 50% off your first order. To claim this deal you must go to hiyahealth.com/COTC.
Cornbread Hemp. Right now, COTC listeners can save 30% on their first order! Simply head to cornbreadhemp.com/COTC and use code COTC at checkout.
S5 Ep28: Can You Ever Forgive Me? The Literary Forgeries of Lee Israel (00:45:05)
For a brief, dazzling moment in early 1990s New York, biographer Lee Israel became one of the most notorious literary forgers of all time. Out of money, out of friends, and with a sick cat to care for, Israel turned her biographer’s research skills and her sharp wit toward a new craft: fabricating letters from Dorothy Parker, Noël Coward, Louise Brooks, and more. Her forgeries fooled collectors, corrupted archives and spread into the market as “authentic” pieces of history.
"Crimes of the Centuries" is a podcast from Grab Bag Collab exploring forgotten crimes from times past that made a mark and helped change history. You can get early and ad-free episodes on the Grab Bag Patreon page.
DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE CRIMES OF THE CENTURIES BOOK! Order today at www.centuriespod.com/book (https://www.centuriespod.com/book)!
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @centuriespod
Episode Sponsors:
Galatea. Right now, Galatea is offering our listeners an extra 25% off on top of an already-irresistibly-affordable subscription when you go to GALATEA.COM/COTC
Butcherbox. As an exclusive offer, our listeners can get free protein in every box for a year PLUS $20 off your first box when you go to ButcherBox.com/COTC and free shipping always.
S5 Ep27: The Real Goodfellas Job (00:48:38)
It was the score of all scores: a $6 million haul in cash and jewels lifted from JFK Airport in 1978. The headlines called it the Lufthansa heist; Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas turned it into legend. But the real story was messier: dozens of suspects, no recovered loot, and a trail of bodies that grew almost as fast as the FBI’s frustration.
"Crimes of the Centuries" is a podcast from Grab Bag Collab exploring forgotten crimes from times past that made a mark and helped change history. You can get early and ad-free episodes on the Grab Bag Patreon page.
DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE CRIMES OF THE CENTURIES BOOK! Order today at www.centuriespod.com/book (https://www.centuriespod.com/book)!
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @centuriespod
Episode Sponsors:
Rula. Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/cotc #rulapod
Cornbread Hemp. Right now, COTC listeners can save 30% on their first order! Just head to cornbreadhemp.com/COTC and use code COTC at checkout.
Home Chef. For a limited time, Home Chef is offering my listeners FIFTY PERCENT OFF and free shipping for your first box PLUS free dessert for life! Go to HomeChef.com/COTC
S5 Ep26: The Massacre Texas Tried to Erase (00:46:02)
In the piney woods of East Texas in 1910, a mob of white men stormed through the Black community of Slocum, murdering dozens — possibly hundreds — of unarmed residents. The killers faced almost no consequences, and the survivors were silenced by fear. Over a century later, even basic recognition of the Slocum Massacre remains a battle. This is the story of the slaughter Texas tried to forget, and the people still fighting to be remembered.
"Crimes of the Centuries" is a podcast from Grab Bag Collab exploring forgotten crimes from times past that made a mark and helped change history. You can get early and ad-free episodes on the Grab Bag Patreon page.
DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE CRIMES OF THE CENTURIES BOOK! Order today at www.centuriespod.com/book (https://www.centuriespod.com/book)!
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @centuriespod
Episode Sponsors:
Hungry Root. For a limited time get 40% off your first box PLUS get a free item in every box for life. Visit Hungryroot.com/COTC and enter code COTC.
Ollie. Take the online quiz and introduce Ollie to your pet. Visit: https://www.ollie.com/cotc today for 60% off your first box of meals! #ToKnowThemIsToLoveThem
Cornbread Hemp. Right now, Crimes of the Centuries listeners can save 30% on their first order! Just head to cornbreadhemp.com/COTC and use code COTC at checkout.
Introducing: CRIME HOUSE DAILY (00:07:43)
Crime doesn’t take a day off. And neither does Crime House Daily.
Hosted by self-defense instructor and advocate for victims, Katie Ring, Crime House Daily is coming to you twice every weekday, covering the biggest crime stories as they unfold. Morning episodes give you the need-to-know. The latest headlines, breaking developments, and where things are going next. Evening episodes go deeper. Into the people, the evidence, and the moments that matter most. The pursuit of justice never stops. And with Crime House Daily, you won’t have to either.
Follow Crime House Daily on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or listen here:
https://link.podtrac.com/yywvpyfg
S5 Ep25: The Hitler Diaries (00:52:24)
When a major German magazine announced it had uncovered Adolf Hitler’s long-lost diaries, the world took notice. But what began as a journalistic coup turned into a scandal that rattled media empires — and left a permanent stain on the truth.
"Crimes of the Centuries" is a podcast from Grab Bag Collab exploring forgotten crimes from times past that made a mark and helped change history. You can get early and ad-free episodes on the Grab Bag Patreon page.
Join us for video versions of the podcast on YouTube, and follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @centuriespod
DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE CRIMES OF THE CENTURIES BOOK! Order today at www.centuriespod.com/book (https://www.centuriespod.com/book)!
Episode Sponsors:
ButcherBox. As an exclusive offer, our listeners can get free protein in every box for a year PLUS $20 off your first box when you go to ButcherBox.com/COTC to get this limited time offer and free shipping always
Cornbread Hemp. Right now, COTC listeners can save 30% on their first order! Just head to cornbreadhemp.com/COTC and use code COTC at checkout.
Galatea. Right now, Galatea is offering our listeners an extra 25% off on top of an already-irresistibly-affordable subscription when you go to GALATEA.COM/COTC.
S5 Ep24: Who Killed Barbara Hamburg? The True Story Behind El Dorado Drive (00:45:08)
The murder of Barbara Hamburg might read like fiction — a bitter divorce, a mysterious pyramid scheme, a family full of secrets — but for her son Madison, it was all too real. In 2010, Barbara was found bludgeoned to death outside her home in the affluent shoreline town of Madison, Connecticut. In this episode, we explore a case that captivated author Megan Abbott, inspired her novel El Dorado Drive, and remains unsolved 15 years later.
"Crimes of the Centuries" is a podcast from Grab Bag Collab exploring forgotten crimes from times past that made a mark and helped change history. You can get early and ad-free episodes on the Grab Bag Patreon page.
DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE CRIMES OF THE CENTURIES BOOK! Order today at www.centuriespod.com/book (https://www.centuriespod.com/book)!
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @centuriespod
Episode Sponsors.
Hiya Health. We've worked out a special deal with Hiya for their best selling children's vitamin. Receive 50% off your first order. To claim this deal you must go to hiyahealth.com/COTC.
Cornbread Hemp. Right now, COTC listeners can save 30% on their first order! Just head to cornbreadhemp.com/COTC and use code COTC at checkout.
Home Chef. For a limited time, Home Chef is offering my listeners FIFTY PERCENT OFF and free shipping for your first box PLUS free dessert for life! Go to HomeChef.com/COTC
Future Crimes of the Centuries? The Death of John O’Keefe and the Trials of Karen Read (00:49:05)
This week on Crimes of the Centuries, we’re breaking from tradition. Instead of a crime from decades past, we’re looking at a case that’s still shaping headlines — and raising questions that may take years to answer. When Boston police officer John O’Keefe was found dead in the snow outside a fellow cop’s home, his girlfriend, Karen Read, was accused of running him down with her SUV in a fit of drunken rage. Prosecutors said it was an open-and-shut case. But as two trials unfolded, evidence of sloppy policing, possible cover-ups, and investigative misconduct began to surface. With insights from journalist Rebecca Lavoie, we examine the tangled relationships, explosive allegations, and courtroom battles that turned this into one of the most contentious cases Massachusetts has ever seen. Will history remember the death of John O’Keefe as a tragic accident, a conspiracy, or a crime of the century?
"Crimes of the Centuries" is a podcast from Grab Bag Collab exploring forgotten crimes from times past that made a mark and helped change history. You can get early and ad-free episodes on the Grab Bag Patreon page.
DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE CRIMES OF THE CENTURIES BOOK! Order today at www.centuriespod.com/book (https://www.centuriespod.com/book)!
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @centuriespod
Episode Sponsors:
More Like Ancient Fail-iens. In more Like Ancient FAILiens, journalist Brandon R. Reynolds and podcaster Toby Ball bravely plunge into one of the great works of televised hokum: Ancient Aliens, the History Channel show that, after more than 20 seasons and 200 episodes, is still convinced Aliens Did It. But Brandon and Toby will take on Ancient Aliens’ biggest claims, one episode at a time, disclosing the truth behind the nonsense and discovering the most amazing thing of all: the world is a pretty fascinating place, even if Ancient Astronauts aren't responsible for it. Look for it now, wherever you get your podcasts, or early and ad-free on the Grab Bag Collab Patreon Page.
S5 Ep23: Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil: Separating Fact from Fiction (00:48:56)
In 1981, 21-year-old Danny Hansford was shot and killed inside one of Savannah’s grandest mansions. The man who pulled the trigger, antiques dealer Jim Williams, claimed self-defense. What followed was a legal circus resulting in four high-profile trials. Then, less than a year later after the dust settled, Williams was dead. This is the case that inspired Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, the bestselling book that turned Savannah into a gothic brand. But the real story is messier than the myth.
"Crimes of the Centuries" is a podcast from Grab Bag Collab exploring forgotten crimes from times past that made a mark and helped change history. You can get early and ad-free episodes on the Grab Bag Patreon page.
DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE CRIMES OF THE CENTURIES BOOK! Order today at www.centuriespod.com/book (https://www.centuriespod.com/book)!
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @centuriespod
Episode Sponsors:
Galatea. Right now, Galatea is offering our listeners an extra 25% off on top of an already-irresistibly-affordable subscription when you go to GALATEA.COM/COTC.
Quince. Level up your bedding with Quince — you’ll feel the difference right away. Go to Quince.com/Centuries for free shipping on your order and three hundred and sixty-five -day returns.
Rula. Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/cotc #rulapod
Cornbread Hemp. Right now, COTC listeners can save 30% on their first order! Just head to cornbreadhemp.com/COTC and use code COTC at checkout.
S5 Ep22: The Green Bicycle Mystery (00:48:12)
Bella Wright was a shy, working-class woman whose life was cut short on a summer night in 1919, just short of her 22nd birthday. At first, her death looked like a tragic accident – until a single bullet found lodged in the dirt road changed everything. What followed was a century-long mystery involving an unshaven man on a distinctive green bicycle, a suspiciously dismantled frame dredged from a river, and a murder trial that gripped the nation. With early forensics, conflicting testimony and possible testimony that came too late, this is a case that refuses to rest.
"Crimes of the Centuries" is a podcast from Grab Bag Collab exploring forgotten crimes from times past that made a mark and helped change history. You can get early and ad-free episodes on the Grab Bag Patreon page.
DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE CRIMES OF THE CENTURIES BOOK! Order today at www.centuriespod.com/book (https://www.centuriespod.com/book)!
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @centuriespod
Episode Sponsors.
Ollie. Take the online quiz and introduce Ollie to your pet.
Visit: https://www.ollie.com/cotc today for 60% off your first box of meals! #ToKnowThemIsToLoveThem
Beam Dream. Beam’s giving my listeners an exclusive offer of UP TO 40% off their
best-selling Dream Powder. That’s right—UP TO 40% off to finally crack the case of your bad sleep. Go to shopbeam.com/COTC and use code COTC at checkout.
HungryRoot. Take advantage of this exclusive offer: For a limited time get 40% off your first box PLUS get a free item in every box for life. Go to Hungryroot.com/COTC and use code COTC.
More Like Ancient Fail-iens.
In More Like Ancient FAILiens, journalist Brandon R. Reynolds and podcaster Toby Ball bravely plunge into one of the great works of televised hokum: Ancient Aliens, the History Channel show that, after more than 20 seasons and 200 episodes, is still convinced Aliens Did It. But Brandon and Toby will take on Ancient Aliens’ biggest claims, one episode at a time, disclosing the truth behind the nonsense and discovering the most amazing thing of all: the world is a pretty fascinating place, even if Ancient Astronauts aren't responsible for it. Look for it now, wherever you get your podcasts, or early and ad-free on the Grab Bag Collab Patreon Page.
S5 Ep21: Gun on the Ferry: The Ruin of Laura Fair (00:48:52)
Laura Fair wanted what many women in Gilded-Age San Francisco wanted: security, respectability, and a husband who told the truth. What she got instead was a years-long affair and a heap of public scorn. When a single gunshot rang out aboard a crowded ferry, it set off a national debate about morality, madness, and how far a woman could be pushed. Based on real letters, real lies, and a courtroom drama that captivated 19th century America.
"Crimes of the Centuries" is a podcast from Grab Bag Collab exploring forgotten crimes from times past that made a mark and helped change history. You can get early and ad-free episodes on the Grab Bag Patreon page.
DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE CRIMES OF THE CENTURIES BOOK! Order today at www.centuriespod.com/book (https://www.centuriespod.com/book)!
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @centuriespod
Episode Sponsors:
Cornbread Hemp. Right now, Crimes Of The Centuries listeners can save 30% off their first order! Head to cornbreadhemp.com/COTC and use code COTC at checkout.
Butcher Box. Right now, ButcherBox is offering our listeners $20 off their first box and free protein for a year. Go to ButcherBox.com/cotc to get this limited time offer and free shipping always.
Hiya Health. We've worked out a special deal with Hiya for their best selling children's vitamin. Receive 50% off your first order. To claim this deal you must go to hiyahealth.com/COTC.
Crime Salad. If you’re a fan of true crime that’s both compelling and respectfully told, you need to check out Crime Salad. Each week, husband-and-wife duo Ashley and Ricky dive deep into both well-known and lesser-covered cases—bringing you well-researched, thoughtfully narrated stories, driven by a mission to uncover truth, amplify victims’ voices, and advocate for justice. Listen wherever you get your podcasts!
S5 Ep20: The Fox in the Henhouse: Klaus Fuchs and the Secret That Changed the World (00:52:04)
You’d think the guy helping build the deadliest weapon in history would be someone the Allies vetted carefully. You’d be wrong. Klaus Fuchs was a physicist, a refugee, and a trusted member of the Manhattan Project. He was also a Soviet spy. His quiet betrayal helped the USSR test its first atomic bomb years ahead of schedule—ending America’s monopoly on nuclear weapons and setting the stage for the Cold War. All in the name of “peace.”
"Crimes of the Centuries" is a podcast from Grab Bag Collab exploring forgotten crimes from times past that made a mark and helped change history. You can get early and ad-free episodes on the Grab Bag Patreon page.
DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE CRIMES OF THE CENTURIES BOOK! Order today at www.centuriespod.com/book (https://www.centuriespod.com/book)!
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @centuriespod
Episode Sponsors:
Home Chef. For a limited time, Home Chef is offering my listeners FIFTY PERCENT OFF and free shipping for your first box PLUS free dessert for life! Go to Homechef.com/COTC.
Galatea. Right now, Galatea is offering our listeners an extra 25% off on top of an already-irresistibly-affordable subscription when you go to GALATEA.COM/COTC.
