On this week’s episode we’re going international! You’ll travel to London with Esther for a behind-the-scenes listen to the Once Upon a Crime live show recorded at CrimeCon UK on June 8th. Esther emceed a game show called “Killer Knowledge” where she challenged fellow true crime podcasters Neil and Megan from Mortal Musings on their true crime trivia knowledge. The audience even got in on the action to see who knew their true crime best.

So, grab your detective hat and play along — let’s find out if you’re smarter than a podcaster

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Our Website - www.truecrimepodcast.com

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In the fall of 1984, fear took hold of San Jose, California. In just six weeks, six young women vanished or were found murdered — their lives cut short under brutal and mysterious circumstances. As residents watched the headlines mount, few could imagine the horror hiding in plain sight.

Six Weeks of Terror is a gripping true crime story that unravels the chilling timeline of Fernando Cota — a convicted rapist who slipped through the cracks and went on to terrorize a city. A routine traffic stop would crack the case wide open and lead to a horrifying discovery.

Sources:

This episode was originally produced as a Once Upon a Crime Live Show presentation in San Jose, California, in July 2019.

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Trova Trip: https://trovatrip.com/trip/north-america/mexico/mexico-with-esther-ludlow-mar-2026

Links:

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Our Website - www.truecrimepodcast.com

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Dennis Rader, the self-proclaimed "BTK" killer—short for "Bind, Torture, Kill"—terrified Wichita and Park City, Kansas, for nearly two decades. But behind the mask of a monstrous mastermind was a man whose crimes were riddled with laughable mistakes, sloppy execution, and a bizarre craving for attention. In this episode, we dismantle the myth of BTK as a criminal genius and reveal the truth: Dennis Rader wasn’t brilliant—he was a bungler. Tune in as we unravel the twisted, error-filled path of one of America’s most incompetent, yet still deadly, serial killers.

Sources:

Once Upon a Crime - Patreon Bonus: BTK Blunders, April 26, 2023

Confessions of a Serial Killer: The Untold Story of Dennis Rader, The BTK Killer, Katherine Ramsland, PhD, ForeEdge Books, 2016.

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CrimeCon UK - www.crimecon.co.uk - Use our discount code ONCEUPON for tickets

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In 1968, the quiet streets of Scotswood, England, were shattered by a chilling discovery: two young boys, just three and four years old, had been murdered—and the killer was an eleven-year-old girl. Mary Flora Bell's name would soon become synonymous with one of Britain’s most disturbing criminal cases. In this episode, we explore the harrowing details of her crimes, the trial that stunned the nation, and the deeply troubled upbringing that may have shaped a child into a killer.

Sources:

Once Upon a Crime Podcast, Season 1, Episode 7, Killer Kids: Mary Bell - https://www.truecrimepodcast.com/s1-ep7-killer-kids-chapter-2-mary-bell/

https://www.theguardian.com/uk/1968/dec/18/ukcrime.childprotection

https://allthatsinteresting.com/mary-bell

https://www.crimelibrary.org/notorious_murders/famous/bell/bell_11.html

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Links:

www.crimecon.co.uk - Join us at CrimeCon UK - the ultimate true crime experience in the heart of London, June 7th and 8th, 2025. Use our discount code ONCEUPON for 10% off your ticket.

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Our Website - www.truecrimepodcast.com

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In the summer of 1976, a small town in California was shaken to its core when 26 schoolchildren and their bus driver were abducted in broad daylight. The hijackers drove them to a remote rock quarry, where they were forced into a buried moving van—essentially a mass grave beneath six feet of earth. But an extraordinary act of bravery and resilience led by one victim - a 14-year-old boy - resulted in a daring escape after 36 terrifying hours underground. In this episode, we revisit the Chowchilla school bus kidnapping, uncover the twisted motives behind the ransom plot, and explore the lasting trauma carried by its survivors to this day.

Sources:

Once Upon a Crime Podcast - Season 2, Episode 84 - Last Stop: The Chowchilla School Bus Kidnapping. https://www.truecrimepodcast.com/s2-ep84-last-stop-the-chowchilla-school-bus-kidnapping/

Chowchilla, CNN Films/HBO Max Originals, 2023. https://www.hbo.com/movies/chowchilla

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At the end of 2024, Once Upon a Crime released a two-part deep dive into The Life and Crimes of Sean Diddy Combs, unraveling the shocking allegations and federal charges facing the music mogul. Since then, the story has only grown more intense. With over 50 civil lawsuits filed and a federal trial set to begin on May 5th, the once-celebrated producer now finds himself at the center of one of the most high-profile legal battles in entertainment history.

In this week’s episode, we catch up on where the case stands now, what Diddy’s life looks like behind bars, and what we can expect in the courtroom in the weeks ahead.

Joining me is Brian Buckmire—legal contributor for ABC, co-host of Law and Crime Daily, and host of the new podcast Bad Rap: The Case Against Diddy from 20/20 and ABC Audio. As a former senior staff attorney at The Legal Aid Society and an experienced homicide defense attorney, Brian brings deep legal insight and firsthand courtroom experience to this complicated and ever-evolving case.

Tune in as we break down the legal landscape, explore the strategies at play, and try to understand the road ahead for one of music’s most powerful—and now controversial—figures.

Episode highlights:

• The latest updates in the Diddy case

• What life is like for him behind bars

• How civil and criminal charges intersect

• What legal experts are watching for as the trial nears

• A behind-the-scenes look at Bad Rap: The Case Against Diddy

Listen to Bad Rap: The Case Against Diddy now wherever you get your podcasts.
Don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe to Once Upon a Crime for more true crime deep dives.

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Links:

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In the gripping conclusion of The True Tale of Lizzie Borden, we turn to the defense’s side of the story. What arguments did Lizzie’s lawyers make to counter the damning evidence? What did the jury ultimately decide—and why? Join me as we uncover the final chapter of this notorious case, from the courtroom verdict to the lasting legacy Lizzie Borden left behind. Don’t miss the dramatic end to one of America’s most enduring true crime mysteries.

Catch Up:

Missed Part 1 or 2? Be sure to listen to the previous episode to hear about the Borden family, the murders, and the investigation that led to Lizzie’s arrest.

Sources:

The Trial of Lizzie Borden, Cara Robertson, Simon & Schuster, 2019

https://www.grunge.com/69553/untold-truth-lizzie-borden/

https://www.wickedlocal.com/story/archive/2013/08/02/timeline-lives-lizzie-emma-abby/38186480007/

https://famous-trials.com/lizzieborden/1449-bowentestimony

https://www.encyclopedia.com/law/law-magazines/lizzie-borden-trial-1893

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/how-lizzie-borden-got-away-with-murder-180972707/

https://www.biography.com/crime/lizzie-borden-life-after-murder-trial

https://lizzie-borden.com/

Sponsors:

Zealthy - To see if you qualify for GLP-1 medications and get started, text ONCE to 200-300.

Thrive Market - Go to ThriveMarket.com/onceuponacrime for 30% off your first order PLUS a FREE $60 gift!

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In Part 2 of The True Tale of Lizzie Borden, we step into the courtroom for one of America’s earliest media frenzies—the infamous trial of Lizzie Borden.

After the shocking 1892 axe murders of Andrew and Abby Borden, suspicion turned toward Andrew’s 32-year-old daughter, Lizzie. The brutal nature of the crime and the unexpected suspect captivated the nation. In Part 1, we explored the tense dynamics within the Borden household and followed the investigation that led to Lizzie’s arrest.

Now, in this episode, we dive into the high-profile trial that gripped the country. Reporters packed the courthouse, headlines blared every development, and the public couldn’t get enough. And at the center of it all stood Lizzie Borden—facing a charge of capital murder and fighting for her life.

Join me as we unpack the courtroom drama, the legal strategies, and the surprising twists in one of the most sensational murder trials in American history.

What You'll Hear in This Episode:

• Inside the packed courtroom during Lizzie Borden’s murder trial

• How the press and public helped shape the case

• The prosecution’s case against Lizzie

• Key testimony and courtroom drama

Catch Up:

Missed Part 1? Be sure to listen to the previous episode to hear about the Borden family, the murders, and the investigation that led to Lizzie’s arrest.

Sources:

The Trial of Lizzie Borden, Cara Robertson, Simon & Schuster, 2019

https://www.grunge.com/69553/untold-truth-lizzie-borden/

https://www.wickedlocal.com/story/archive/2013/08/02/timeline-lives-lizzie-emma-abby/38186480007/

https://famous-trials.com/lizzieborden/1449-bowentestimony

https://www.encyclopedia.com/law/law-magazines/lizzie-borden-trial-1893

Sponsors:

Zealthy - To see if you qualify for GLP-1 medications and get started, text ONCE to 200-300.

Greenlight - Start your risk-free Greenlight trial today at Greenlight.com/once.

To advertise on this podcast please email: ad-sales@libsyn.com

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Links:

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Our Website - www.truecrimepodcast.com

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponACrimePodcast