In the early 1960s, Sydney was a vibrant city, unaware that a predator was moving quietly through its streets. Between 1961 and 1962, five men would fall victim to a killer whose brutality shocked Australia and left investigators scrambling for answers. His name was William Macdonald, an English migrant who blended into the city by day and hunted its most vulnerable by night.

Known later as “The Mutilator", Macdonald became one of Australia’s earliest recognised serial killers, targeting men he lured with alcohol before attacking them with sudden, frenzied violence. His crimes unfolded across familiar Sydney locations, Darlinghurst, Moore Park, the Domain, turning ordinary public spaces into scenes of horror.

In today’s episode, we explore the life and crimes of William Macdonald, a killer whose brutality left a lasting mark on Australia.

• 
  Australia’s Most Feared Serial Killer William MacDonald
• 
  
• CORONERS COURT OF NEW SOUTH WALES - William MacDonald
• Murders Most Foul - William MacDonald “The Mutilator,” Sydney’s Most Disturbed Serial Killer.
• The Daily Telegraph - The Mutilator dead at 90: William MacDonald, who cut off victims’ genitalia, was NSW’s longest-serving prisoner
• The Serial Killer Podcast - William MacDonald | William The Mutilator MacDonald - Part 1 & 2

On 11 May 2012, a house fire on Victory Road in Derby, England, resulted in the deaths of six children from the same family: Duwayne, Jade, John, Jack, Jesse, and Jayden Philpott. The incident initially appeared to be a tragic accident, but within days, the investigation shifted focus to the children’s parents, Mick and Mairead Philpott.

• 
  
• 
  
• 
  
• R v Philpott, Philpott and Mosley Sentencing Remarks
• The Guardian - Mick and Mairead Philpott convicted of manslaughter over Derby house fire
• Yahoo News - Killer dad Mick Philpott 'in a bad way' after being 'attacked in prison'
• BBC.news - https://www.bbc.com/news/special/panels/13/apr/philpott/inc/half_wide/panel.inc?utm_source=copilot.com

In August 2018, the disappearance of Shanann Watts and her two young daughters captured the attention of the world. What began as a missing‑persons case in a quiet Colorado suburb quickly unraveled into one of the most shocking family tragedies in recent history.

Content Warning:

This episode contains detailed discussion of homicide, child harm, and emotionally distressing material. Listener discretion is strongly advised.

References:

• Burden of Proof Podcast: Chris Watts Deep Dive
• Crime Vault Youtube: Chris Watts Interview
• Dreading (crime and psychology) Youtube: Chris Watts Series
• ABC11: Shannon Watts' mother speaks at sentencing
• Wikipedia: Watts Family Murders
• People.com - Where Is Chris Watts Now? Inside His Life in Prison 7 Years After Murdering His Wife and Kids
• Netflix - American murder: The Family Next Door

In the winter of 1987, in the quiet rural stretch of Pope County, Arkansas, a man named Ronald Gene Simmons committed one of the most devastating crimes in American history. Over the course of three days, he murdered sixteen people, fourteen of them his own family.

It was a crime so calculated, so intimate, and so incomprehensible that even today, decades later, investigators, psychologists, and surviving relatives still struggle with the same question: Why?

Content Warning: This episodes discusses murder of children, gun violence and suicide. Listener discretion is advised.

References:

• Wikipedia: Ronald Gene Simmons
• The Devil of Pope County: America's Worst Family Massacre (Podcast Series)
• True Crime All The Time Podcast - Ronald Gene Simmons
• New York Times, Mass Slayer Abused Wife, Got Daughter Pregnant, In-Laws Say
• THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES - 88-7146, 01-10-1990
• Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts (.gov) https://www.tncourts.gov › sites › default › files
• Simmons v. State, No. CR 89-45.
• Franz v. State, No. CR 88-76.
• Ronald Gene Simmons (1940–1990), Encyclopedia of Arkansas

In February 2000, the quiet town of Aberdeen, New South Wales, became the centre of one of Australia’s most shocking criminal cases. Katherine Knight , a former abattoir worker with a long history of violence in her relationships , murdered her partner, 44‑year‑old John Price, stabbing him at least 37 times during a final escalation of domestic conflict.

What followed stunned even seasoned investigators: Knight mutilated Price after his death, actions that would ultimately make her the first woman in Australian history to receive a life sentence with no possibility of parole.

Content Warning:

This episode contains descriptions of extreme domestic violence, psychological abuse, and graphic criminal acts. Please take care of yourself, and feel free to step away at any time.

References:

• Wikipedia - Katherine Knight
• Case File Podcast - Katherine Knight
• The Casual Criminalist Podcast - Katherine Knight: Australia's Hannibal Lecter
• Crimes that Shook Australia - Katherine Mary Knight
• Murderpedia - Katherine Knight

Between 2002 and 2004, three young women vanished from the streets of Cleveland, Ohio. Michelle Knight, Amanda Berry, and Gina DeJesus, each taken while walking alone, each disappearing without a trace. For over a decade, their families searched, their communities mourned, and their names became symbols of unanswered questions.

The man responsible was Ariel Castro, a school bus driver who lived at 2207 Seymour Avenue in Cleveland’s Tremont neighbourhood. Behind the doors of his seemingly ordinary home, he concealed a nightmare. For years, Castro held Michelle, Amanda, and Gina captive, subjecting them to unimaginable suffering.

• 
  
• 
  
• 
  Ariel Castro kidnappings
• 
  "We're doing great" 10 years after Cleveland escape
• 
  Cleveland abductor Ariel Castro
• 
  
• Kevin Sullivan, Amanda Berry, Mary Jordan, Gina DeJesus -
  
• Michelle Burford and Michelle Knight -
  
• 
  

This unfortunately had to be uploaded due to audio issues.

I hope you have a safe and happy Thanksgiving with your loved ones.

It's a day typically associated with family, gratitude, and coming together. But tragically, for one particular family in Jupiter, Florida, a Thanksgiving gathering back in 2009 turned into an absolute nightmare.

Paul Michael Merhige, a man invited to share in the holiday meal, instead unleashed unimaginable violence. By the end of the night, four family members were dead, including his six-year-old cousin Makayla, and his pregnant sister Lisa.

Content Warning:

This episode details murder and suicide. Listener discretion is advised.

References:

Hotel owners receive $100,000 reward for turning in Thanksgiving Day murder suspect

South Florida News: Thanksgiving Killer's Parents Sued By Former Son-In-Law

Parents Cleared on Son's Thanksgiving Murders

CNN News: Man admits murdering 4 relatives on Thanksgiving, gets life in prison

Mortal Musings Podcast: Paul Michael Merhige & The Thanksgiving Murders

Burden of Proof Podcast: Paul Michael Merhige, The Unwelcome Guest

In August 2002, the quiet, safe town of Soham, England, turned into ground zero for a national tragedy. Best friends Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, both ten years old, vanished while walking home from a barbecue in their matching football shirts. What followed was a massive search operation, fueled by desperate hope and gut-wrenching appeals.

Content Warning:

This episode discusses the kidnapping and murder of two children, Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman. We will be covering sensitive topics including child homicide, psychological trauma, and sexual predation. Listener discretion is strongly advised, especially for younger or sensitive listeners. Please take care while listening.

References:

• Wikipedia - Soham Murders
• Bang to Rights Podcast - The Soham Murders - Ian Huntley and Maxine Carr
• Monstropedia - Ian Huntley
• I Could Murder a Podcast.- The Soham Murders: Ian Huntley
• Truly Criminal YouTube - The Soham Murders: Holly Wells & Jessica Chapman
• The Independant -Soham murders 20th anniversary: What happened to killer Ian Huntley and families of girls he killed
• Virtual College - Public Inquiry: Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman
• The Scottish Farmer - Where is Maxine Carr now? The ex-girlfriend of Ian Huntley
• Mirror - Ian Huntley moans he’s ‘being picked on’ as prison officers seize items from cell
• Criminal Justice Inspectorates - A REPORT ON THE INVESTIGATION BYCAMBRIDGESHIRE CONSTABULARY INTOTHE MURDERS OF JESSICA CHAPMAN ANDHOLLY WELLS AT SOHAM ON 4 AUGUST 2002

•