Unstable Table After Dark

For decades, Richard Cottingham was convicted of only a handful of murders, but the true scale of his trail of blood is only now coming to light. From his initial arrest in 1980 to his shocking 2026 confession regarding the 1965 murder of Alys Jean Eberhardt, Cottingham has spent his life in prison slowly doling out the truth to investigators. Join us as we explore his unique "cat-and-mouse" relationship with detectives, the forensic breakthroughs solving 60-year-old cold cases, and the chilling possibility that his true victim count may reach into the triple digits. Content Warning:This episode covers a highly disturbing case file out of Knoxville, Tennessee. The discussion of Thomas Huskey includes graphic depictions of predatory behavior targeting sex workers, severe sexual sadism, and the post-mortem concealment of victims. The episode also touches on complex and controversial legal testimonies regarding severe trauma and Dissociative Identity Disorder. Listener discretion is advised. Music:https://uppbeat.io/t/oliver-massa/graveyard-tangoLicense code: 6CU5MIMVDNS2IMAJ

In late 2007, a shadow fell over the national forests of Georgia, Florida, and North Carolina. When 24-year-old Meredith Emerson went hiking with her dog on New Year’s Day and never returned, a massive manhunt revealed a predator hiding in plain sight. Gary Hilton wasn't just a drifter; he was a cold-blooded killer who stalked the trails he knew by heart. This week, we follow the harrowing search for Meredith, the heartbreaking discovery of the Bryants in Pisgah National Forest, and the "Beast of Blood Mountain" who turned the Great Outdoors into a graveyard. Content Warning:Before we step into the woods, be advised that this episode contains graphic accounts of predatory tracking, psychological terror, blunt-force trauma, and the post-mortem desecration of human remains. It is intended for mature audiences only, and listener discretion is strongly advised. CourtTV Gary Hilton InterviewMusic:https://uppbeat.io/t/oliver-massa/graveyard-tangoLicense code: 6CU5MIMVDNS2IMAJ

How did an unlicensed "doctor" get away with killing dozens of people in plain sight? Linda Hazzard exploited a legal loophole to practice her lethal brand of alternative medicine for decades. Behind her claims of "ridding the body of toxins" lay a calculated scheme of forgery, greed, and psychological manipulation. Join us as we dissect the investigation into Hazzard’s clinic, the shocking forensic evidence of bodies weighing less than 50 pounds, and the systemic failures that allowed her to continue her practice even after a manslaughter conviction. Content Warnings:This discussion includes graphic accounts of severe emaciation, fatal neglect, financial exploitation of the dying, and primitive medical procedures. We advise listener discretion, especially for those sensitive to themes of medical trauma, starvation, or abuse. Music from :https://uppbeat.io/t/oliver-massa/graveyard-tangoLicense code: 6CU5MIMVDNS2IMAJ

In 1961, Portland was rocked by a crime so gruesome it felt like a horror movie: a woman’s remains found scattered in a swamp, meticulously dismembered. The man responsible, Richard Marquette, became the first person ever added as the "11th name" to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list. He was caught, convicted, and sentenced—but the story didn't end there. Twelve years later, Marquette was paroled, and within months, the nightmare began all over again. This week, we trace the dark history of a man who couldn't stop killing and the systemic failures that allowed him to strike twice. Content Warning:This episode contains detailed descriptions of a fatal stabbing, severe physical violence, and the systematic dismemberment and concealment of human remains. It is intended for mature audiences only, and listener discretion is strongly advised. Music:https://uppbeat.io/t/oliver-massa/graveyard-tangoLicense code: 6CU5MIMVDNS2IMAJ

In 1946, Chicago was a city gripped by a unique kind of terror. A killer was stalking the streets, leaving behind a signature that would haunt the headlines for decades: a plea scrawled in red lipstick on a victim’s wall that read, "For heavens sake catch me before I kill more I cannot control myself." When 17-year-old University of Chicago student William Heirens was arrested for a routine burglary, the police claimed they had their man. But beneath the confession lies a story of "truth serum," brutal interrogations, and a young man who spent 65 years in prison maintaining his innocence. This episode covers the case of William Heirens, also known as the Lipstick Killer. It contains detailed discussions of graphic violence, murder, the victimization of children, and bodily dismemberment. It is not be suitable for all audiences, listener discretion is strongly advised.Music:https://uppbeat.io/t/oliver-massa/graveyard-tangoLicense code: 6CU5MIMVDNS2IMAJIntermission song:https://uppbeat.io/t/albert-behar/forbidden-desireLicense code: NI6EC2P4IWFH367C

Nannie Doss spent her life searching for the "perfect man" she read about in her favorite romance magazines. When reality failed to live up to the fantasy, she didn’t just file for divorce—she reached for the arsenic. For nearly three decades, husbands, sisters, mothers, and even her own children fell ill and died, leaving Nannie with a trail of insurance payouts and a smile on her face. In this episode, we’re breaking down the shocking confession that earned her the nickname the Giggling Granny and solidified her spot as one of the most prolific female serial killers in history. Content warning:This discussion includes sensitive topics such as child loss and filicide, domestic and sexual abuse, and detailed descriptions of poisoning. It may be particularly distressing for those sensitive to crimes involving family betrayal. Listener discretion is strongly advisedMusic:https://uppbeat.io/t/oliver-massa/graveyard-tangoLicense code: 6CU5MIMVDNS2IMAJ

On a frigid November night in 1986, flight attendant Helle Crafts returned to her Newtown, Connecticut home and vanished into a blinding snowstorm. Her husband, airline pilot Richard Crafts, claimed she had left to visit family in Denmark. But as the snow began to melt, a chilling story emerged—one involving a rented industrial woodchipper, a chainsaw found in the Housatonic River, and a forensic breakthrough that would make legal history. In this episode, we dive into the gruesome details of the case that inspired Fargo and proved that even when you try to erase a victim entirely, science can still find the truth. Content Warning: Due to the nature of this case, this episode contains graphic descriptions of extreme violence and the mechanical disposal of human remains. We will be discussing forensic details that some listeners may find deeply disturbing, specifically involving the use of power tools. Listener discretion is highly recommended.Music:https://uppbeat.io/t/oliver-massa/graveyard-tangoLicense code: 6CU5MIMVDNS2IMAJ

Consider this your formal invitation to pull up a chair at The Unstable Table After Dark... where things get morbid, sarcastic, and just a little unhingedMusic from Uppbeat:https://uppbeat.io/t/oliver-massa/graveyard-tangoLicense code: 6CU5MIMVDNS2IMAJ