The John List Family Murders episode artwork

EPISODE · Mar 13, 2026 · 17 MIN

The John List Family Murders

from Compact Murder · host Compact Murder

In November 1971, a quiet suburban home in Westfield, New Jersey became the scene of one of America's most chilling family murder cases. John List, a respected accountant and churchgoer, calmly murdered his mother, wife, and three children before disappearing without a trace. For nearly two decades he lived under a new identity while investigators searched for the man who had seemingly vanished into thin air. The mystery deepened as authorities uncovered the careful planning behind the killings and the shocking normal life List had built elsewhere. His eventual capture in 1989 revealed how a mass murderer had hidden in plain sight for years. In this episode, we explore the disturbing psychology, meticulous planning, and extraordinary manhunt behind the John List Family Murders. Visit our website: Compact Murder Find us on our social media sites: Facebook Instagram Pinterest Youtube #TrueCrime, #JohnList, #FamilyMurder, #UnsolvedMystery, #CrimeHistory, #AmericanCrime, #WestfieldNewJersey, #ColdCase, #CrimeInvestigation, #CriminalPsychology

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Mar 13, 2026

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The John List Family Murders

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