In this chilling Part One of Storyteller, we dive into the haunting true story of Velma Barfield—later known as “Death Row Granny,” one of America’s most notorious female serial killers.

What begins as a shocking phone call to a college student quickly unravels into a dark and disturbing past. When Ronnie Burke is told his mother will be arrested for murder, he has no idea the nightmare that’s about to unfold… or the role his own mother may have played.

From Velma’s traumatic childhood in rural poverty—marked by abuse, fear, and survival—to her seemingly perfect marriage and family life, this episode explores the early years that shaped a killer. But everything changes after a life-altering surgery in the 1960s, when addiction, personality shifts, and prescription drugs begin to take hold.

As her family life crumbles under the weight of Valium dependency, alcoholism, and emotional turmoil, tragedy strikes in a deadly house fire that leaves more questions than answers.

Was it truly an accident… or the beginning of something far more sinister?

This is only the beginning.

In Part One, we uncover the origins of a woman who would later become one of the first women executed in the United States after the reinstatement of the death penalty—and the disturbing path that led her there.

🔪 True crime, dark history, and psychological unraveling—this is a story you won’t forget.

Follow Storyteller for Part Two, where the body count rises and the truth becomes impossible to ignore.

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✨⁠⁠Support the show⁠⁠✨

If you enjoy the stories we tell and want to help us keep bringing them to life, you can support the podcast here:

🔗 ⁠⁠https://www.buzzsprout.com/2535436/support⁠⁠

Every contribution goes directly back into the show — from research and recording to editing and equipment. Your support truly means the world to us and helps us continue sharing strange, mysterious, and unbelievable tales every week. Thank you for listening and being part of the Storyteller family.

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Step into the lawless frontier of 1870s Kansas, where the promise of the American dream hid something far more sinister. Along the Osage Trail, travelers seeking food, rest, and refuge unknowingly stepped into a nightmare.

In this episode of Storyteller, we uncover the chilling true story of the Bloody Benders—widely believed to be America’s first serial killer family. Operating a small homestead, inn, and general store in Labette County, the Benders lured unsuspecting victims with warm meals and a welcoming smile… before brutally murdering them and burying their bodies in a nearby orchard.

From eerie séances and manipulation to a terrifying survivor’s escape and a growing list of missing travelers, the Benders’ crimes shocked a nation. But what makes this story even more haunting? They were never caught.

Who were the Bender family, really? How did they evade justice? And what happened to them after they vanished without a trace?

This is the story of Hell’s Half Acre—where hospitality turned deadly, and one family became a legend of true crime horror that still lingers more than 150 years later.

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✨⁠⁠Support the show⁠⁠✨

If you enjoy the stories we tell and want to help us keep bringing them to life, you can support the podcast here:

🔗 ⁠⁠https://www.buzzsprout.com/2535436/support⁠⁠

Every contribution goes directly back into the show — from research and recording to editing and equipment. Your support truly means the world to us and helps us continue sharing strange, mysterious, and unbelievable tales every week. Thank you for listening and being part of the Storyteller family.

✨🔮🕯

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In Part 2 of this chilling true crime podcast series, we uncover the brutal murder of Cheryl Keeton and the long road to justice that finally exposed her killer, Bradley Morris Cunningham.

After years of domestic violence, coercive control, narcissistic abuse, and psychological manipulation, Cheryl made the decision to leave her husband—a decision she feared would cost her life.

On September 19, 1986, Cheryl was lured to a remote location under false pretenses. Hours later, her van was discovered drifting across a Portland freeway, and inside was a horrifying scene that would shock investigators: Cheryl had been brutally beaten to death.

Despite overwhelming suspicion, the case against Bradley Cunningham was anything but simple. With no immediate forensic evidence, he evaded justice—continuing his pattern of manipulation, abuse, and control while starting new relationships and maintaining his facade.

This episode dives deep into:

• The night of Cheryl Keeton’s murder
• The shocking crime scene on a Portland freeway
• The investigation and lack of physical evidence
• The wrongful death civil lawsuit that changed everything
• Testimonies from former wives, girlfriends, and family members
• The psychology of a serial abuser and manipulator
• The chaotic 1994 trial where Cunningham represented himself
• The final guilty verdict—8 years after the murder

Through circumstantial evidence, survivor testimony, and a relentless pursuit of justice, this case became a landmark example of how patterns of abuse can ultimately expose a killer.

This is more than a murder story—it’s a deep dive into domestic violence escalation, toxic relationships, and the warning signs of abuse that should never be ignored.

⚠️ Listener discretion advised: This episode contains graphic descriptions of violence and domestic abuse.

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Instagram ⁠⁠⁠@storyteller.pod⁠⁠⁠

TikTok ⁠⁠⁠@StorytellerPod⁠⁠⁠

Facebook ⁠⁠⁠@Storyteller Podcast⁠⁠⁠

✨⁠⁠Support the show⁠⁠✨

If you enjoy the stories we tell and want to help us keep bringing them to life, you can support the podcast here:

🔗 ⁠⁠https://www.buzzsprout.com/2535436/support⁠⁠

Every contribution goes directly back into the show — from research and recording to editing and equipment. Your support truly means the world to us and helps us continue sharing strange, mysterious, and unbelievable tales every week. Thank you for listening and being part of the Storyteller family.

✨🔮🕯

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