Three Ounces: The True Crime Story That Inspired Fargo | The Tipsy Exchange

It's our quarterly true crime episode! LA always hopes to find a case we've never heard of, which is nearly impossible these days. But this one comes with a twist: it's tied to one of the greatest movies ever made. The Coen Brothers' Fargo famously opens by claiming it's based on a true story. Spoiler: it's not. At least, not exactly. But one of the film's most unforgettable scenes has roots in a real case from 1986 Connecticut. There's a flight attendant with a cheating pilot husband, a wife who was smart enough to hire a private investigator, and a sudden disappearance during a snowstorm. And the husband had a lot of flimsy explanations. You'll hear how a small team of investigators and one sharp-eyed witness pieced together what happened, and how that case made history in court with almost nothing to go on. How little? The title says it all. Along the way, we get into the Fargo TV series (Martin Freeman fans, this one's for you), Berly's crush on Vigilante from Peacemaker (the character, not his… hobbies), and a proposal to permanently retire the phrase "crime of passion." There's also the story of a very tipsy night when Berly and a friend put on wigs and tailed a no-good boyfriend around town. We don't recommend it. We also don't not recommend it. Content warning: This episode discusses murder, domestic violence, and graphic details of how a body was disposed of. Please take care while listening. This week's toast: "Not only is there often a right and wrong, but what goes around does come around. Karma exists." We close with a cheers to the witness who spoke up and helped crack the case. Tell us what you think! Had you heard of this case before? Did you know Fargo had a real-life connection? And do you have a lesser-known true crime story we should cover next quarter? Tell us in the comments! Please drink responsibly. Support the show The Tipsy Exchange is a comedy podcast where besties Berly and LA pour a drink, raise a toast, and dive into true crime, mysteries, the paranormal, and pop culture, with plenty of tangents along the way. It's like happy hour with your funniest friends. The show is currently on hiatus, but you can find previous episodes at thetipsyexchange.com. If you are a Supernatural fan, you can find Berly and LA's latest project at denimwrappednightmares.com. Special thanks to Fesliyan Studios. Cheers!