In the winter of 1998, a general practitioner in Manchester, England, noticed that one of her colleagues, Dr. Harold Shipman, appeared to have an unusually high death rate among his elderly female patients. An inquiry was opened into the matter, but it went nowhere and was quickly closed with no finding of wrongdoing. Then, in August, another accusation was leveled at Shipman: he was responsible for killing more than twenty of his patients. This time, the inquiry was taken more seriously and the reality was far worse than anyone could have imagined.

The arrest and prosecution of Harold Shipman rocked England’s medical community and shocked people around the world. Although he was ultimately charged with and convicted of fifteen murders, investigators suspect Shipman of having killed as many as two hundred and fifty people over the course of his career, making him the most prolific killer in the nation’s history.

BBC News. 2003. 'I feel guilty over Shipman killings'. September 30. Accessed September 1, 2026. news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/manchester.

Beal, Peter, and Harriet Tolputt. 1999. "Shipman 'bullied relatives not to ask for autopsy'." The Independent, December 7: 4.

Carter, Helen. 1999. "Doctor enjoyed killing, court told." The Guardian, October 12: 3.

—. 2000. "Harold Shipman, guilty of 15 murders. But did he kill 150?" The Guardian, February 1: 1.

Carter, Helen, and Paddy Heaney. 2000. "Put aside emotions, judge tells Shipman trial jurors." The Guardian, January 11: 7.

Clark, Jim. 2005. North West: Shipman inquiry. January 28. Accessed August 31, 2026. news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/politics_show/.

Duffin, Christian. 2002. "Shipman inquiry nurses were afraid to speak out." Nursing Standard, December 18: 9.

Herbert, Ian. 2000. "A hard-working and popular GP." The Independent, February 1: 3.

—. 1999. "Doctor murdered elderly woman while her friend waited outside in the kitchen." The Independent, October 13: 5.

—. 2000. "Shipman 'duped and bullied the grieving reltives'." The Independent, January 6: 7.

—. 2004. "The GP who betrayed his calling." The Independent, January 14: 1.

Jenkins, Russell. 1998. "Police examine 19 deaths after widow changes will for doctor." The Times, August 20.

—. 1998. "Priest tells of anguish at patient exhumations." The Times, October 15.

Kelso, Paul. 1999. "Women had heart disease, says murder case doctor." The Guardian, November 27: 6.

Morris, Nigel. 2004. "Ombudsman to lead inquiry into 'suicide'." The Independent, January 14: 7.

Peters, Carole. 2005. Harold Shipman: Mind Set on Murder. London, UK: Carlton.

Queiro, Alicia. 2014. Shipman effect: How a serial killer changed medical practice forever. December 1. Accessed August 30, 2026. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-30192721.

The Guardian. 2004. "Life sentence: A loner, a drug addict and a mass murderer." The Guardian, January 14: G3.

Ward, David. 2004. "Behind a mask of ordinariness." The Guardian, January 13: 3.

—. 1999. "Doctor 'killed 15 for pleasure and power'." The Guardian, October 12: 1.

—. 1998. "Doctor on three further murder charges after bodies exhumed." The Guardian, October 8.

—. 1999. "GP faces 15 murder charges." The Guardian, February 23.

Ward, David, and Helen Carter. 2000. "The doctor Jekyll of Hyde." The Guardian , February 1: 3.

Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)

Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)

Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley

Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally

Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In the winter of 1998, a general practitioner in Manchester, England, noticed that one of her colleagues, Dr. Harold Shipman, appeared to have an unusually high death rate among his elderly female patients. An inquiry was opened into the matter, but it went nowhere and was quickly closed with no finding of wrongdoing. Then, in August, another accusation was leveled at Shipman: he was responsible for killing more than twenty of his patients. This time, the inquiry was taken more seriously and the reality was far worse than anyone could have imagined.

BBC News. 2003. 'I feel guilty over Shipman killings'. September 30. Accessed September 1, 2026. news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/manchester.

Beal, Peter, and Harriet Tolputt. 1999. "Shipman 'bullied relatives not to ask for autopsy'." The Independent, December 7: 4.

Carter, Helen. 1999. "Doctor enjoyed killing, court told." The Guardian, October 12: 3.

—. 2000. "Harold Shipman, guilty of 15 murders. But did he kill 150?" The Guardian, February 1: 1.

Carter, Helen, and Paddy Heaney. 2000. "Put aside emotions, judge tells Shipman trial jurors." The Guardian, January 11: 7.

Clark, Jim. 2005. North West: Shipman inquiry. January 28. Accessed August 31, 2026. news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/politics_show/.

Duffin, Christian. 2002. "Shipman inquiry nurses were afraid to speak out." Nursing Standard, December 18: 9.

Herbert, Ian. 2000. "A hard-working and popular GP." The Independent, February 1: 3.

—. 1999. "Doctor murdered elderly woman while her friend waited outside in the kitchen." The Independent, October 13: 5.

—. 2000. "Shipman 'duped and bullied the grieving reltives'." The Independent, January 6: 7.

—. 2004. "The GP who betrayed his calling." The Independent, January 14: 1.

Jenkins, Russell. 1998. "Police examine 19 deaths after widow changes will for doctor." The Times, August 20.

—. 1998. "Priest tells of anguish at patient exhumations." The Times, October 15.

Kelso, Paul. 1999. "Women had heart disease, says murder case doctor." The Guardian, November 27: 6.

Morris, Nigel. 2004. "Ombudsman to lead inquiry into 'suicide'." The Independent, January 14: 7.

Peters, Carole. 2005. Harold Shipman: Mind Set on Murder. London, UK: Carlton.

Queiro, Alicia. 2014. Shipman effect: How a serial killer changed medical practice forever. December 1. Accessed August 30, 2026. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-30192721.

The Guardian. 2004. "Life sentence: A loner, a drug addict and a mass murderer." The Guardian, January 14: G3.

Ward, David. 2004. "Behind a mask of ordinariness." The Guardian, January 13: 3.

—. 1999. "Doctor 'killed 15 for pleasure and power'." The Guardian, October 12: 1.

—. 1998. "Doctor on three further murder charges after bodies exhumed." The Guardian, October 8.

—. 1999. "GP faces 15 murder charges." The Guardian, February 23.

Ward, David, and Helen Carter. 2000. "The doctor Jekyll of Hyde." The Guardian , February 1: 3.

Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)

Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)

Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley

Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally

Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Weirdos! It's almost HalloWEEEEEEEEN! So grab your pillowcase, don your spookiest costume, and get ready to be treated to some iconic listener tales! To celebrate the most wonderful time of the year, Deb has curated a batch of spooky tales that are BY you FOR you and ALL ABOUT YOU! Don't forget to check out the YOUTUBE version to fully experience the iconic costumes, because Ash & Alaina are serving this month!

If you’ve got a listener tale please send it to Deb by emailing us at Morbidpodcast@gmail.com with “Listener Tales” somewhere in the subject line, and if you share pictures, please let us know if we can share them with fellow weirdos! :)

Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)

Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)

Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley

Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally

Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On the evening of December 13, 2020, twenty-one-year-old Texas State University student Jason Landry left his apartment in San Marcos, TX headed in the direction of his parents in Missouri City. Several hours later, just after midnight, a firefighter discovered Jason’s wrecked car along the side of a rural road several miles from his destination—the lights were still on and the keys still in the ignition, but there was no sign of Jason anywhere.

Recommendations

Dinner At My Place by Ryan Nordheimer

Today We Are Cooking by Tini Younger

Brant, Brian. 2026. "21-Year-Old's Car Was Found Abandoned, but He Was Nowhere to Be Seen." People, January 31.

Holley, Peter. 2025. "It Was Already One of Texas’s Strangest ColdCases. Then a Secretive Figure Appeared." Texas Monthly, July.

—. 2025. "It was already one of Texas's strangest cold cases. Then a secretive figure appeared." Texas Monthly, June 27.

Jones, Abigail, Avery Travis, and Nabil Remadna. 2026. Jason Landry remains found. September 24. Accessed October 15, 2026. https://www.kxan.com/news/texas/jason-landry-remains-found-whats-happened-in-the-6-years-since-he-went-missing/.

Koski, Rudy. 2020. Search continues for missing Texas State student. December 15. Accessed October 14, 2026. https://www.fox7austin.com/news/search-continues-for-missing-texas-state-student.

Moreno-Lozano, Luz. 2021. "Family seeks answers about missing son." El Paso Times, December 14: 5.

Ryan, Shannon. 2022. Where is Jason Landry? Search continues for missing Texas State student. January 11. Accessed October 15, 2026. https://www.fox7austin.com/news/where-is-jason-landry-new-video-audio-released-as-search-continues.

Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)

Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)

Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley

Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally

Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Spooky Season wouldn’t be complete without a visit from astrologer, author, and friend Aliza Kelly! She takes us on a cosmic deep dive to unravel another of history’s most chilling mysteries: the Axeman of New Orleans! We discuss the killer’s reign of terror, the haunting details surrounding the case, and how astrology offers cosmic perspective on this dark chapter in history.

Want to hang out more with Aliza? Check out her podcast AstroloTea with Aliza Kelly: Horoscopes and Astrology

Are you going to be near San Francisco on October 28th? Get tickets to Aliza Kelly's Haunted Tea Party! It's going to be iconic!

Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)

Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)

Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley

Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally

Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In the spring of 2001, single father Steven LaChance moved his family from a cramped apartment to a spacious house in Union, Missouri. The house was intended to be a new start for the family, but before long their excitement turned to dread as life in the new house became a nightmare.

Within weeks of moving into the house, Steven and his children began experiencing strange and unexplainable phenomena. Lights turned on and off by themselves, temperatures fluctuated wildly from room to room, and there was an ever-present feeling of being watched. In time, whatever entity lived in the house began focusing its malevolent attention on the children, exploiting their fears and terrifying them night after night. After several months, the LaChance family couldn’t tolerate the home anymore and moved out but, little did Steven know, that was only the beginning of his journey into the paranormal.

Cline, Chris. 2006. "Paranormal team investigates Arcadia Academy." Daily Journal (Flat River, MO), October 29: 1.

LaChance, Steven. 2004. The Union, Missouri Haunting. Accessed October 13, 2026. https://www.legendsofamerica.com/mo-unionhaunting/.

Schmidt, Kaprise. 2007. "Top ten most haunted places in Franklin County." Washington Missourian (Washington, MO), October 27: 37.

Wiecha, Joe. 2006. A Haunting. Directed by Joe Wiecha.

Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)

Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)

Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley

Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally

Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On May 2, 1933, the Harwich Center School received a telephone call from the father of ten-year-old Peggy McMath, a student at the school. Mr. McMath informed them that he was sending a driver to pick up his daughter and he expected her to be ready. However, when the driver showed up, Peggy didn’t recognize the man and was hesitant to get into the car. In response, the driver of the car, Kenneth Buck, grabbed the girl, threw her in the car, and drove off before anyone could stop him.

This month's Bonus Episode is #sponsored by our friends at @netflixfilm and their riveting film release ANIMALS! Haven’t watched the film yet? Check it out NOW on @netflix!”

Associated Press. 1933. "Buck removed to hospital." Boston Globe, May 29: 1.

Boston Globe. 1933. "Kenneth Buck in prison to serve 24 to 25 years." Boston Globe, June 26: 4.

—. 1933. "Latest description of Peggy and man who kidnapped her." Boston Globe, May 4: 23.

—. 1934. "McMath family to leave Cape Cod." Boston Globe, March 29: 12.

Cox, Carolyn. 2021. The Snatch Racket. New York, NY: Potoman Books.

Haviland, Alexander. 1933. "Buck brothers gain two points." Boston Globe, June 15: 1.

—. 1933. "First ransom demand called for $250,000." Boston Globe, May 7: 1.

—. 1933. "General and boy star witnesses." Boston Globe, June 17: 1.

—. 1933. "Peggy and Cyril tell vivid stories to jury." Boston Globe, June 22: 1.

Kingsbury, Alex. 2016. "Kidnapped on old Cape Cod." Boston Globe, August 28: K6.

Sibley, Frank. 1933. "Kidnaper "in trouble" before but was not prosecuted." Boston Globe, May 8: 5.

—. 1933. "State police refuse to halt girl search." Boston Globe, May 5: 1.

Springfield Daily News. 1933. "Police called off while father of child pleads with her abductors." Springfield Daily News, May 3: 1.

Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)

Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)

Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley

Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally

Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For as long as human beings have been locking one another up in cages or dungeons, there have been other human beings scheming and strategizing ways to escape their cells and break free of their prisons. More often than not, their attempts prove futile and they’re recaptured, their punishments extended and the conditions of their surroundings made worse. But in their experiences with freedom, however brief they may be, the escapee becomes legendary, their exploits going on to be told and retold in books, films, and songs long after the prisoner has passed away.

While some prison breaks—like those of the wrongfully incarcerated or unduly punished—can be justified and go on to be romanticized, others are less romantic or exciting and can even lead to deadly outcomes. And yet, no matter the circumstances and outcomes, each one can tell us something about the system and culture responsible for the initial sentence and subsequent escape. Here is the first volume of this fascinating subject!

Associated Press. 1986. "Supervisor apparently kidnapped by escapee." Ann Arbor News, December 6: 1.

—. 1962. "Alcatraz 'age' held factor in trio's escape." Los Angeles Times, June 14: 5.

Frishman, Dan. 1962. "Big Bay manhunt on for three Alcatraz escapees." San Francisco Exminer, June 13: 1.

Hanson, Tom. 2023. Prison escapes in America: How common are they and what's the real risk? September 18. Accessed September 12, 2026. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/prison-escapes-in-america-how-common-are-they-and-whats-the-real-risk/.

Hotz, Mark. 2012. "Awaiting trial Dillinger escapes." Bank Note, June: 10.

Indianapolis Star. 1934. "Dillinger, 3 state felons caught." Indianapolis Star, January 25: 1.

—. 1934. "Expecting death, prisoner tells of crime career." Indianapolis Star, January 31: 1.

—. 1934. "Vast army hunts John Dillinger." Indianapolis Star, March 4: 1.

Kinkopf, Eric. 1987. "Escape." Detroit Free Press, January 2: 16.

Leff, Lisa. 2012. Escape from Alcatraz: 50 years later, mystery remains. June 12. Accessed September 9, 2026. https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna47782343.

Martindale, Mike. 1987. "Escapee murders way across country." Burlington Free Press, June 14: 1.

New York Times. 1962. "3 Alcatraz convicts cut their way out with spoons." New York Times, June 13: 1.

—. 1962. "3 Alcatraz convicts cut their way out with spoons." New York Times, June 13: 1.

Press, Associated. 1986. "Police say Ypsi center worker adits he aided man's escape." Herald-Palladium (Benton Harbor, MI), December 26: 17.

Richardson, Randi. 2021. Beryl Hovious and Public Enemy No. 1. March 22. Accessed September 8, 2026. https://monroehistory.org/2021/03/22/beryl-hovious-and-public-enemy-no-1/.

Swickard, Joe. 1987. "Suspects in deadly tales." Detroit Free Press, January 22: 1.

Warren, Jenifer. 1993. "Escape from Alcatraz?" Los Angeles Times, November 11: 3.

Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)

Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)

Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley

Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally

Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.