EPISODE · Dec 1, 2025 · 36 MIN
The Times Square Killer aka The Torso Ripper
from EchosOfThePast · host E.O.P.
Content Warning – PLEASE READExtremely graphic descriptions of serial murder, prolonged torture, sexual sadism, mutilation, decapitation, arson on bodies, child victims, and violence against women. This is one of the heaviest episodes we’ve ever done. Listener discretion is strongly advised. Resources at the bottom.Episode SummaryHe clocked in every day at a respectable job in Manhattan, kissed his kids goodnight, and coached Little League… while carrying a black bag full of handcuffs, knives, and souvenirs from the women he tortured to death.Between 1967 and 1980, Richard Cottingham – the “Times Square Killer,” “Torso Killer,” or “Torpedo Ripper” – murdered at least 17 confirmed women and girls across New York and New Jersey (he claims 85–100). He targeted the invisible: sex workers, runaways, teenage girls walking home, a young mother after bingo night. He drugged them, handcuffed them, and subjected them to hours (sometimes days) of unimaginable sadistic torture before killing them and, in several cases, decapitating them and burning or dumping the heads and hands so they could never be identified.For 13 years, he was never a suspect – because the quiet computer programmer next door looked nothing like the monster the police were hunting.It all ended in May 1980 when an 18-year-old survivor, Leslie Ann O’Dell, screamed loud enough and fought hard enough that a motel maid and clerk finally ran toward the sound instead of away from it.Confirmed Victims Mentioned (in order of murder)Nancy Schiava Vogel (29) – 1967Jacalyn “Jackie” Harp (13) – 1968Irene Blase (18) – 1969Denise Falasca (15) – 1969Mary Annette Pryor (17) & Lorraine Marie Kelly (16) – 1974Maryann Della Carr (26) – 1977Deedah Godzari (22) & Unidentified Teen – 1979 (Times Square torsos)Valerie Ann Street (19) – 1980Jean Reyner (25) – 1980Leslie Ann O’Dell (18) – survivedat least 6 more confirmed since 2021 via Cottingham confessionsResources & SupportYou are not alone.National Sexual Assault Hotline (US): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741International resources: findahelpline.comReferences & Further ReadingBergen County Prosecutor’s Office & NJ State Police case files – Official archives available via FOIA requests.NYPD Homicide Division archives – Historical records from NYC police on 1970s-80s cases.Court transcripts – State of New Jersey v. Richard Cottingham (1981-1984 trials).Anzilotti, Robert (Retired Chief of Detectives) – interviews: NYT article on confessions; Fox News doc feature; A&E YouTube clip.Vronsky, Peter – American Serial Killers: The Epidemic Years 1950-2000: Amazon; Penguin Random House; Audible.The Record (Bergen County) & New York Times archival reporting: NYT sentencing article (1981) [via wiki summary, original paywalled]; The Record on confessions [cross-ref with Record].Jennifer Weiss (daughter of victim Deedah Godzari) – public statements: NJ.com interview; YouTube interview; Podcast ep.Netflix – Crime Scene: The Times Square Killer (2021): Netflix official site; IMDb; Wikipedia.Connect With UsEmail your thoughts (or your own stories) → [email protected] → @EchoesPodCastInstagram → @#truecrime #SerialKiller #Missing Thank you for walking through the dark with us.Keep their names alive.— Bubah© B.Moreno 2025 Echos of the Past. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use prohibited.
What this episode covers
Content Warning – PLEASE READExtremely graphic descriptions of serial murder, prolonged torture, sexual sadism, mutilation, decapitation, arson on bodies, child victims, and violence against women. This is one of the heaviest episodes we’ve ever done. Listener discretion is strongly advised. Resources at the bottom.Episode SummaryHe clocked in every day at a respectable job in Manhattan, kissed his kids goodnight, and coached Little League… while carrying a black bag full of handcuffs, knives, and souvenirs from the women he tortured to death.Between 1967 and 1980, Richard Cottingham – the “Times Square Killer,” “Torso Killer,” or “Torpedo Ripper” – murdered at least 17 confirmed women and girls across New York and New Jersey (he claims 85–100). He targeted the invisible: sex workers, runaways, teenage girls walking home, a young mother after bingo night. He drugged them, handcuffed them, and subjected them to hours (sometimes days) of unimaginable sadistic torture before killing them and, in several cases, decapitating them and burning or dumping the heads and hands so they could never be identified.For 13 years, he was never a suspect – because the quiet computer programmer next door looked nothing like the monster the police were hunting.It all ended in May 1980 when an 18-year-old survivor, Leslie Ann O’Dell, screamed loud enough and fought hard enough that a motel maid and clerk finally ran toward the sound instead of away from it.Confirmed Victims Mentioned (in order of murder)Nancy Schiava Vogel (29) – 1967Jacalyn “Jackie” Harp (13) – 1968Irene Blase (18) – 1969Denise Falasca (15) – 1969Mary Annette Pryor (17) & Lorraine Marie Kelly (16) – 1974Maryann Della Carr (26) – 1977Deedah Godzari (22) & Unidentified Teen – 1979 (Times Square torsos)Valerie Ann Street (19) – 1980Jean Reyner (25) – 1980Leslie Ann O’Dell (18) – survivedat least 6 more confirmed since 2021 via Cottingham confessionsResources & SupportYou are not alone.National Sexual Assault Hotline (US): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741International resources: findahelpline.comReferences & Further ReadingBergen County Prosecutor’s Office & NJ State Police case files – Official archives available via FOIA requests.NYPD Homicide Division archives – Historical records from NYC police on 1970s-80s cases.Court transcripts – State of New Jersey v. Richard Cottingham (1981-1984 trials).Anzilotti, Robert (Retired Chief of Detectives) – interviews: NYT article on confessions; Fox News doc feature; A&E YouTube clip.Vronsky, Peter – American Serial Killers: The Epidemic Years 1950-2000: Amazon; Penguin Random House; Audible.The Record (Bergen County) & New York Times archival reporting: NYT sentencing article (1981) [via wiki summary, original paywalled]; The Record on confessions [cross-ref with Record].Jennifer Weiss (daughter of victim Deedah Godzari) – public statements: NJ.com interview; YouTube interview; Podcast ep.Netflix – Crime Scene: The Times Square Killer (2021): Netflix official site; IMDb; Wikipedia.Connect With UsEmail your thoughts (or your own stories) → [email protected] → @EchoesPodCastInstagram → @#truecrime #SerialKiller #Missing Thank you for walking through the dark with us.Keep their names alive.— Bubah© B.Moreno 2025 Echos of the Past. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use prohibited.
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The Times Square Killer aka The Torso Ripper
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