Dark City: Revealing History Hiding in the Shadows

Los Angeles, CA | Hollywood doesn’t just sell stories, it monetizes secrets. From mob-run extortion rings targeting Liberace to fixer Anthony Pellicano stockpiling wiretaps on the powerful, and David Letterman flipping the script on his own blackmailer, the pattern is clear. When image becomes currency, leverage becomes power. Gerald Petievich’s latest novel 13 Hillcrest Drive may be fiction, but the machinery behind it is real. In a city obsessed with controlling the narrative, the most dangerous weapon is the story someone else can tell about you.I highly recommend Gerald Petievich’s book 13 Hillcrest Drive. You can find it here: https://www.amazon.com/13-Hillcrest-Drive-Gerald-Petievich/dp/1644284642. Learn more about his work: https://petievich.com/ Follow for episode photos and more at:📷 Instagram: instagram.com/darkcitypod 🌎 Website: www.darkcitypodcast.com✉️ Email:  [email protected] 📚 Sources:https://abcnews.com/Entertainment/anthony-pellicano-hollywood-private-eye-talks-jackson-schwarzenegger/story?id=14263409https://abcnews.com/Entertainment/Law/david-letterman-blackmailer-robert-halderman-sentenced/story?id=10552760https://abcnews.com/TheLaw/story?id=3354065&page=1https://abcnews.com/TheLaw/Stars/story?id=4591409&page=1https://www.biography.com/crime/a43236975/who-is-anthony-pellicano-sin-eater-documentaryhttps://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/as-it-happens-wednesday-edition-1.5349956/how-this-writer-got-an-apology-from-david-letterman-10-years-after-she-called-him-out-1.5349963https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/letterman-blackmail-extortion-plot-man-freed-from-jail/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/anthony-pellicano-scandal-major-players-are-1084481/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/letterman-extortionist-plans-return-tv-27531/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/joe-halderman-letterman-e_n_647690https://lamag.com/celebrity/archives-machiavelli-muck/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-jan-11-me-pellicano11-story.htmlhttps://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-glover_020104-story.htmlhttps://liberace.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/liberace-and-the-mob.pdfhttps://news3lv.com/features/video-vault/video-vault-how-organized-crime-blackmailed-liberacehttps://www.newsweek.com/anthony-pellicano-hollywood-phone-hacker-breaks-his-silence-67115https://www.npr.org/2006/04/22/5357103/case-against-private-eye-rattles-hollywoodhttps://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/10/insider/investigating-hollywoods-fixer.htmlhttps://people.com/celebrity/inside-story-how-celebs-thwart-their-blackmailers/https://www.popsugar.com/entertainment/where-is-anthony-pellicano-now-49111314https://www.today.com/news/david-lettermans-blackmailer-gets-new-tv-job-wbna45825288https://www.today.com/popculture/effects-letterman-case-hard-judge-1c9401929https://variety.com/2021/film/news/anthony-pellicano-joel-silver-daryl-katz-1234889846/https://www.wbur.org/news/2009/10/03/us-tv-letterman-extortionhttps://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/hollywood-fixer-stopped-nothing-scandals-091523985.htmlhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAU1nakZGHA🎵 All music in this episode is sourced from Pixabay, with tracks including:Quiet Suspicions (Emotional Suspenseful Drama) by MeeGiStudioSneaky Mystery Jazz by SonicanDramedy, Whimsical - Suspenseful Children Background FULL by zec53Sneaky Music - WhimsicaHave ideas or suggestion? We would love to hear from you! Send us a text via this link.👏 Special thanks to our talented partners:Paolo Sbrighi for Musical Composition (instagram.com/paulosbrighi/)Mario Cintra for Logo Design (instagram.com/alacarala/)

Two high-achieving twenty-somethings quit their dream jobs, strapped everything they owned to two bikes, and pedaled into the kind of freedom most of us only fantasize about during a bad Monday meeting. Lauren Geoghegan and Jay Austen weren’t reckless thrill seekers. They were planners, idealists, the type who believed the world was mostly kind. So when their round-the-world cycling trip carried them into the mountains of Tajikistan and straight into the path of an ISIS attack, their story became more than a headline. It became a brutal collision between world views.I highly recommend William Elliott Hazelgrove’s book Evil on the Roof of the World: A Cycling Trip that Ended in Terror if you want to go even deeper into this story. You can find it here: https://www.amazon.com/Evil-Roof-World-Cycling-Terror/dp/B0F78H5VST Follow for episode photos and more at:📷 Instagram: instagram.com/darkcitypod 🌎 Website: www.darkcitypodcast.com✉️ Email:  [email protected] 📚 Sources:https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-45026752https://www.npr.org/2018/07/31/634373403/d-c-couple-killed-in-tajikistan-attack-were-biking-around-the-world-togetherhttps://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/21/the-weekly/isis-bike-attack-tajikistan.htmlhttps://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/biking/tajikistan-bike-murders-jay-austin-lauren-geoghegan/https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/exploration-survival/american-cyclists-killed-isis-tajikistan/?scope=anonhttps://www.simplycycling.org/🎵 All music in this episode is sourced from Pixabay, with tracks including:Mountain Wind by Siarhei KorbutPeace of Mind – Calm Ambient Music by Clavier-MusicBossa Nova Instrumental 01 by alanajordanAmbient Background by playstarz_musicSeaside in Sorrow – Sad and Touching Soft Piano by HarumachiMusicDesert Winds Meditation by NaturesEyeMidnight Whispers Creepy Dark Horror Background by TrenoX8Piano Cinematic by The_MountainInspirational Documentary Cinematic Piano by NotAIGeneratedHave ideas or suggestion? We would love to hear from you! Send us a text via this link.👏 Special thanks to our talented partners:Paolo Sbrighi for Musical Composition (instagram.com/paulosbrighi/)Mario Cintra for Logo Design (instagram.com/alacarala/)

Montauk, NY | The premise for Stranger Things didn’t come from nowhere. We’re headed to Montauk, New York, where a real Cold War base, abandoned bunkers, and stubborn paper trails collide with a conspiracy theory that helped inspire Netflix’s biggest monster story. You’ll hear from Montauk native and author Brian Minnick, who explored Camp Hero as a kid, got chased by “security” years after the base supposedly closed, and found enough oddities to make one question what was actually sealed up and what kept running.I highly recommend Brian Minnick’s book Montauk is Strange. You can find it here:https://www.amazon.com/Montauk-Strange-Archives-Exploring-Project-ebook/dp/B0CYMCYPZ1 You can follow Brian and see exclusive videos of his underground explorations at https://www.instagram.com/montauk_is_strange/. Follow for episode photos and more at:📷 Instagram: instagram.com/darkcitypod ✉️ Email:  [email protected] 🐇 Sources:https://facesoflongisland.newsday.com/montauk-lighthouse-keeper-tells-tall-tales-of-history-a-ghost-and-the-next-200-years/https://montauklibrary.org/throwback-thursday-montauks-air-force-station/https://nypost.com/article/camp-hero-montauk-project-conspiracy/https://parks.ny.gov/visit/state-parks/camp-hero-state-parkhttps://play.history.com/specials/the-dark-files-3/full-special. https://strangerthings.fandom.com/wiki/Hawkins_National_Laboratoryhttps://www.britannica.com/topic/MK-ULTRAhttps://www.businessinsider.com/camp-hero-montauk-air-force-base-inspired-stranger-things-photos-2023-8https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP96-00789R002800180001-2.pdfhttps://www.history.com/articles/cia-esp-espionage-soviet-union-cold-warhttps://www.history.com/articles/what-was-operation-papercliphttps://www.history.com/mkultra-operation-midnight-climax-cia-lsd-experimentshttps://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/duffer-brothers-talk-stranger-things-916180/https://www.masterclass.com/classes/the-duffer-brothers-teach-developing-an-original-tv-serieshttps://www.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/the-dark-files-film-explores-montauk-s-mysterious-camp-hero-state-park-on-history-channel-v57264https://www.npr.org/2014/02/15/275877755/the-secret-operation-to-bring-nazi-scientists-to-americahttps://www.npr.org/2019/09/09/758989641/the-cias-secret-quest-for-mind-control-torture-lsd-and-a-poisoner-in-chiefhttps://www.phillyvoice.com/holmesburg-prison-inmate-experiments-apology-northeast-philadelphia-albert-kligma/https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/the-montauk-monster/https://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/nation/stranger-things-duffers-lawsuit-montauk-projecthttps://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2020/09/16/fact-check-nazi-scientists-brought-u-s-operation-paperclip/5690870002/Newsday. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBu4YlJENOc MONTAUK: You're Not Going to Like This. The InBetween. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5ODjWTL8q0&t=2shttps://www.newspapers.com/article/the-mercury-1960-radar-tower/187508067https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-call-montauk-camp-hero-opens/187510174/🎵 Music from Pixabay:Ambient - Dark - V1 by SenorMusica81Stranger Things by Music_UnlimitedCloudscape by AonescapeSecret EnfouiCinematic Tension Soundscape by LillibenMystical Emotions - Atmospheric Cinematic by Dvir SilverstoneDark Story Investigator - SinisteHave ideas or suggestion? We would love to hear from you! Send us a text via this link.👏 Special thanks to our talented partners:Paolo Sbrighi for Musical Composition (instagram.com/paulosbrighi/)Mario Cintra for Logo Design (instagram.com/alacarala/)

Santa Claus, AZ | In the 1930s, a holiday fantasy rose from the Arizona desert, promising Christmas every day of the year. This is the story of what happens when we try to make permanent what is seasonal by design.Follow for episode photos and more at:📷 Instagram: instagram.com/darkcitypod 🪡 Threads: threads.net/@darkcitypod 👤 Facebook: facebook.com/darkcitypod✉️ Email:  [email protected] 🔎 Sources:https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/santa-claus-arizonahttps://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-history/2024/12/18/santa-claus-az-history/76763717007/ https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix-history/2022/12/07/where-christmas-was-celebrated-year-round-santa-claus-arizona/69706879007/ https://roadtrippers.com/magazine/once-festive-town-santa-claus-arizona/https://www.arizonahighways.com/article/santa-claus-arizonahttps://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-santa-claus-inn-own/187254288/ The Plain Dealer. (October 11, 1970). Santa claus arizona. Newspapers.com. Retrieved December 21, 2025, from https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-santa-claus-arizona/187254432/Arizona Daily Star. (December 25, 1976). Santa Claus for Sale. Newspapers.com. Retrieved December 21, 2025, from https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-daily-star-santa-claus-for-sale/187254477/Nevada State Journal. (December 25, 1976). Need a Gift - Santa Claus. Newspapers.com. Retrieved December 21, 2025, from https://www.newspapers.com/article/nevada-state-journal-need-a-gift-santa/187254503/ Pasadena Star-News. (April 13, 1931). Ninon Santa Claus. Newspapers.com. Retrieved December 22, 2025, from https://www.newspapers.com/article/pasadena-star-news-ninon-santa-claus/187300212/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nepE18QbGj8. Santa Claus | The Christmas-Themed Desert Ghost TownObscurist Touristhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p67KJT_9l_E . Santa Claus, Arizona | Cronkite Newshttps://www.nps.gov/articles/route-66-overview.htm 🎵 All music in this episode is sourced from Pixabay, with tracks including:Jingle Bells Back to Sleep by Laurent BuczekQuirky Children Music by TunetankChristmas Holiday (Christmas Jazz) by TunetankDark Christmas (Short) by Siarhei KorbutGod Rest, Ye Merry Meta by Alexander NakaradaHave ideas or suggestion? We would love to hear from you! Send us a text via this link.👏 Special thanks to our talented partners:Paolo Sbrighi for Musical Composition (instagram.com/paulosbrighi/)Mario Cintra for Logo Design (instagram.com/alacarala/)

Phoenix, Arizona | Case note on unexplained moments that surfaced during the Zombie Hunter investigation.I highly recommend Troy Hillman’s book Chasing Down the Zombie Hunter if you want to go even deeper into this case. You can find it here:https://www.amazon.com/Chasing-Down-Zombie-Hunter-Small-Town/dp/1639369678/To learn more about Troy Hillman’s work, check out his website at https://troyhillmancoldcase.com/ and follow him on social media at https://www.instagram.com/troyhillmancoldcase/ and  https://www.facebook.com/troy.hillman.2025/ Follow for episode photos and more at:📷 Instagram: instagram.com/darkcitypod 🪡 Threads: threads.net/@darkcitypod 👤 Facebook: facebook.com/darkcitypod✉️ Email:  [email protected] 🎵 Piano Odyssey, Surprising_Media, by Mircea Iancu from PixabayHave ideas or suggestion? We would love to hear from you! Send us a text via this link.👏 Special thanks to our talented partners:Paolo Sbrighi for Musical Composition (instagram.com/paulosbrighi/)Mario Cintra for Logo Design (instagram.com/alacarala/)

Phoenix, AZ | The DNA match finally gave the canal murderer a name: Bryan Patrick Miller. But what followed raised more questions than answers. In Part 2, with retired Cold Case Sergeant Troy Hillman guiding the investigation, we trace how a man with a long history of violence managed to live an ordinary life while cultivating a public persona that mocked the very system hunting him.I highly recommend Troy Hillman’s book Chasing Down the Zombie Hunter if you want to go even deeper into this case. You can find it here:https://www.amazon.com/Chasing-Down-Zombie-Hunter-Small-Town/dp/1639369678/To learn more about Troy Hillman’s work, check out his website at https://troyhillmancoldcase.com/ and follow him on social media at https://www.instagram.com/troyhillmancoldcase/ and  https://www.facebook.com/troy.hillman.2025/ Rate & Review:Thank you so much for listening to Dark City!  I would love to hear from you.  To rate and submit a review on the Apple Podcasts app, scroll down to the “Ratings and Review” section of the show page where you’ll see a “Tap to Rate” section under which you can select the number of stars for your rating.  Underneath written reviews from other listeners, you will find a link to "Write a Review”.  Tap that link and submit your comments on the screen that appears.  Spotify currently allows you to rate podcasts, but not write text reviews. To rate in the Spotify app, navigate to the top of the show page.  Under the podcast cover and title, tap the three dots on the far right next to the gear icon.  Tap the  “Rate Show” option on the menu that appears and tap the number of stars for your ratings.Listening on another platform and can’t find the option to rate and review the show?  Send me an email at [email protected] and I am happy to send you instructions. Follow for episode photos and more at:📷 Instagram: instagram.com/darkcitypod 🪡 Threads: threads.net/@darkcitypod 👤 Facebook: facebook.com/darkcitypod✉️ Email:  [email protected] 🔎 Additional SourcesTrue Crime Arizona. (2021–2023). Zombie Hunter series [Audio podcast episodes]. Arizona’s Family.Unmasking the Zombie Hunter | Full Episode + Post Mortemhttp://www.publishersweekly.com/9781639369676 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/zombie-hunter-bryan-patrick-miller-phoenix-canal-killer-undercover-sting-chilis-capture/?ftag=YHF4eb9d17 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bryan-patrick-miller-zombie-hunter-phoenix-canal-murders-timeline/ https://www.cbsnews.com/news/zombie-hunter-bryan-patrick-miller-convicted-killer-death-row-48-hours/🎵 All music in this episode is sourced from Pixabay, with tracks including:Gloomy Background for Documentaries by UniversfieldHolding Breath (Tension Suspense) by AlexGrohlSolitude – Dark Ambient by Clavier ClavierStalking My Next Victim – Cinematic True Crime & Detective Music by Joel FazhariNight Detective by Aleksey VoroninMysterious Cinematic Background by Marc CorominasMysterious by Dmitrii KolesnikovDark Tension by Nikita KondrashevHave ideas or suggestion? We would love to hear from you! Send us a text via this link.👏 Special thanks to our talented partners:Paolo Sbrighi for Musical Composition (instagram.com/paulosbrighi/)Mario Cintra for Logo Design (instagram.com/alacarala/)

Phoenix, AZ | Two brutal attacks along the city’s canal bike paths left residents terrified, investigators overwhelmed, and a serial predator hiding in plain sight. This episode unravels the cases of Angela Brosso and Melanie Bernas, two young women assaulted while out on routine bike rides, and the decades-long effort to uncover who was responsible. With retired Cold Case Sergeant Troy Hillman guiding us through the investigation and the pivotal DNA breakthrough, we follow how a tangle of scattered files slowly transformed into a case that could no longer be ignored.I highly recommend Troy Hillman’s book Chasing Down the Zombie Hunter if you want to go even deeper into this case. You can find it here:https://www.amazon.com/Chasing-Down-Zombie-Hunter-Small-Town/dp/1639369678/ To learn more about Troy Hillman’s work, check out his website at https://troyhillmancoldcase.com/ and follow him on social media at https://www.instagram.com/troyhillmancoldcase/ and  https://www.facebook.com/troy.hillman.2025/ Rate & Review:Thank you so much for listening to Dark City!  I would love to hear from you.  To rate and submit a review on the Apple Podcasts app, scroll down to the “Ratings and Review” section of the show page where you’ll see a “Tap to Rate” section under which you can select the number of stars for your rating.  Underneath written reviews from other listeners, you will find a link to "Write a Review”.  Tap that link and submit your comments on the screen that appears.  Spotify currently allows you to rate podcasts, but not write text reviews. To rate in the Spotify app, navigate to the top of the show page.  Under the podcast cover and title, tap the three dots on the far right next to the gear icon.  Tap the  “Rate Show” option on the menu that appears and tap the number of stars for your ratings.Listening on another platform and can’t find the option to rate and review the show?  Send me an email at [email protected] and I am happy to send you instructions. Follow for episode photos and more at:📷 Instagram: instagram.com/darkcitypod 🪡 Threads: threads.net/@darkcitypod 👤 Facebook: facebook.com/darkcitypod✉️ Email:  [email protected] 🔎 Additional SourcesTrue Crime Arizona. (2021–2023). Zombie Hunter series [Audio podcast episodes]. Arizona’s Family.Unmasking the Zombie Hunter | Full Episode + Post Mortemhttp://www.publishersweekly.com/9781639369676 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/zombie-hunter-bryan-patrick-miller-phoenix-canal-killer-undercover-sting-chilis-capture/?ftag=YHF4eb9d17 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bryan-patrick-miller-zombie-hunter-phoenix-canal-murders-timeline/ https://www.cbsnews.com/news/zombie-hunter-bryan-patrick-miller-convicted-killer-death-row-48-hours/🎵 All music in this episode is sourced from Pixabay, with tracks including:Gloomy Background for Documentaries by UniversfieldHolding Breath (Tension Suspense) by AlexGrohlSolitude – Dark Ambient by Clavier ClavierStalking My Next Victim – Cinematic True Crime & Detective Music by Joel FazhariNight Detective by Aleksey VoroninMysterious CHave ideas or suggestion? We would love to hear from you! Send us a text via this link.👏 Special thanks to our talented partners:Paolo Sbrighi for Musical Composition (instagram.com/paulosbrighi/)Mario Cintra for Logo Design (instagram.com/alacarala/)

Phoenix, Arizona | Phoenix is known for cactus and heat, not pumpkins. But in the 1860s, wild gourds grew in the valley, and an early settlement here actually went by Pumpkinville. This episode uncovers how an astonishing canal-building civilization, a chaotic frontiersman, and one dramatic Brit all collided to shape the unlikely pumpkin-soaked origins of America’s fifth-largest city.Follow us for episode photos and more at:📷 Instagram: instagram.com/darkcitypod 🪡 Threads: threads.net/@darkcitypod 👤 Facebook: facebook.com/darkcitypod🦋 Bluesky: darkcitypodcast.bsky.social🎥 TikTok: tiktok.com/@darkcitypod 🌎 Website: www.darkcitypodcast.com✉️ Email:  [email protected] 🐇 Go ahead, down the rabbit hole you go… Here’s the complete list of sources for this episode:https://kwcdcountry.com/history-of-phoenix-name/https://news.azpm.org/p/azpmnews/2024/4/18/219933-ancient-farmers-dug-canals-that-shaped-phoenixs-modern-water-system/https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2019/09/15/trinidad-escalante-swilling-latina-mother-of-phoenix/2276908001/https://www.azcentral.com/story/travel/local/history/2015/01/19/phoenix-once-named-pumpkinville/21873559/https://www.newspapers.com/image-view/126148506/?match=1&terms=pumpkinville%20phoenix%20arizonahttps://www.phoenix.gov/administration/departments/sedav-vaaki/plan-your-visit.htmlhttps://www.phoenix.gov/historyhttps://www.srpnet.com/about/history/canal-historyhttps://www.visitphoenix.com/stories/post/11-unique-facts-you-didnt-know-about-phoenixs-history/🎵 Music Credit Quirky Orchestra Waltz - Playful and Mischievousvby zec53 from PixabayHave ideas or suggestion? We would love to hear from you! Send us a text via this link.👏 Special thanks to our talented partners:Paolo Sbrighi for Musical Composition (instagram.com/paulosbrighi/)Mario Cintra for Logo Design (instagram.com/alacarala/)

Phoenix, AZ | Long before a car bomb ended his life, Don Bolles was already circling danger. For years, he’d been chasing a story about mob money and a greyhound dog racing empire whose ties ran far darker than anyone realized. As he dug deeper, files vanished, witnesses flipped, and suspicious deaths emerged. These questions remain: Was Don Bolles murdered for a story he wrote, or for a story he was about to write? And who ordered the hit?Special thanks to Jarrod Riddle of Spirit of Arizona Tours https://spiritofarizonatours.com/ (highly recommend!) for sharing insight on Phoenix history and the legacy of Don Bolles. 📚 Sources (Continued from Part 1)https://www.arcadiapublishing.com/blogs/news/on-this-day-in-history-the-day-the-law-finally-caught-up-with-al-caponebolles/2019/12/03/wiretapping-story-haunted-reporter-don-bolles-until-his-death/4265879002/Bartlett, N. (Director). (2022). Who Killed Don Bolles? [Film]. Bartlett Films; United States.https://dondevereux.com/2013/06/30/the-troubling-death-of-tom-sanford-was-don-bolles-editor-also-murdered/https://dondevereux.com/2019/12/08/sanford-addendum-another-question-on-his-death/https://www.azcentral.com/in-depth/news/local/don-bolles/2019/12/17/don-bolles-and-evolution-tracks-mob-and-kemper-marley/2534434001/https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix-history/2024/03/13/1970s-metro-phoenix-history/72882175007/https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2016/06/02/don-bolles-murder-look-back-arizona-project/84446198/https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2016/06/02/max-dunlap-supporters-maintain-innocence-after-2-convictions-don-bolles-murder/84446006/https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2016/06/02/would-don-bolles-have-survived-car-bombing-today/84446404/https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2016/07/06/james-robison-accused-bombing-republic-reporter-don-bolles-1976-dead-90/86001272/https://www.azfamily.com/2023/04/21/daughter-convicted-murderer-1976-don-bolles-car-bomb-claims-dad-was-framed/https://www.kjzz.org/2016-09-14/content-364547-former-arizona-republic-editor-digs-arizonas-organized-crime-historyhttps://www.kjzz.org/2019-11-05/content-1287966-arizona-republic-podcast-based-lost-tapes-murdered-journalist-don-bolleshttps://www.mobmuseum.org/notable_names/michael-malone/ (if this is the same as the one you gave; if not, keep your original link version)https://www.newspapers.com/image/121259203/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-kemper-nomination-a/183313741/https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/one-more-death-in-the-bolles-case-6430177/https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/the-magnate-meets-his-maker-6412300/https://www.tucsonsentinel.com/local/report/060216_bolles_cast/the-murder-don-bolles-players-guide/https://www.tucsonsentinel.com/local/report/060222_greyhound_park_closing/6-years-after-live-racing-ends-tucson-greyhound-park-closing-after-off-track-betting-doesnt-pay/🎵 Music Credits (from Pixabay)True Crime Podcast Music ‘Hard Case’ by Tomasz GlazaStrange Things 120 bpm by Dorothe WoutersMafioso by PHANTASTICBEATSMidnight by Jurij, SoundRealityTrue Crime Mystery LoopableEmotional Soundscape Music by pianocafe_KumiDramatic Piano and Violin by UniversfieldFind a Weapon by Timothy KuligInspiring Cinematic Ambient Music by Aleksey ChHave ideas or suggestion? We would love to hear from you! Send us a text via this link.👏 Special thanks to our talented partners:Paolo Sbrighi for Musical Composition (instagram.com/paulosbrighi/)Mario Cintra for Logo Design (instagram.com/alacarala/)

Phoenix, AZ | On June 2, 1976, investigative reporter Don Bolles arrived at the Clarendon Hotel in downtown Phoenix expecting to meet a source about land fraud. The meeting never happened. Moments later, a bomb exploded beneath his car, leaving him mortally wounded. As he lay barely conscious, Don uttered several words that still echo through Arizona’s history. Was he the target of a mob hit? And was it for a story he wrote, or one he was still working on?Special thanks to Jarrod Riddle of Spirit of Arizona Tours https://spiritofarizonatours.com/ (highly recommend!) for sharing insight on Phoenix history and the legacy of Don Bolles.🧠 Who’s WhoDon Bolles:  Investigative reporter for The Arizona Republic. Known for exposing corruption and organized crime. Murdered by car bomb in 1976.John Adamson: Convicted middleman who lured Bolles to the Clarendon Hotel under false pretenses. James Robison: Alleged bomb maker and triggerman.  Kemper Marley:  Wealthy liquor magnate and political power broker accused of being the true mastermind.  Max Dunlap: Businessman and mentee of Kemper Marley. Alleged financier of the hit.  Neal Roberts:  Phoenix attorney and former assistant attorney general. Friend to both Adamson and Dunlap.📚 Sources (Additional Sources Continued in Part 2)Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shattered-naivet%C3%A9/id1484144747?i=1000455970484https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/valley-101/id1451650012?i=1000625125749https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/who-killed-reporter-don-bolles-the-daughters-on/id1539546360?i=1000627539631https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-syndicate/id1666675521?i=1000599074935&r=354https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rediscovering/id1484144747https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-patsy/id1670259755Articles and Bookshttps://www.amazon.com/Politics-Murder-Organized-Goldwaters-Arizona/dp/0692662650https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/corbin-decks-the-halls-with-folly-6412132https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/arts/phoenix-greyhound-park-is-being-demolished-heres-what-we-know-13080213https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/what-does-neal-roberts-know-6425717https://amp.usatoday.com/amp/84793594https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/don-bolles/2023/05/30/why-a-news-story-motivated-the-killing-of-republic-reporter-don-bolles/70259562007/https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/ej-montini/2025/06/03/arizona-republic-reporter-don-bolles-murder-lessons/84007847007/https://www.kjzz.org/2016-09-14/content-364547-former-arizona-republic-editor-digs-arizonas-organized-crime-historyhttps://www.kjzz.org/2019-11-05/content-1287966-arizona-republic-podcast-based-lost-tapes-murdered-journalist-don-bolleshttps://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/ej-montini/2016/06/01/montini-don-bolles/85207410/https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/don-bolles/2023/02/10/don-bolles-conspiracy-podcast-around-car-bombing-death-arizona-reporter/69890470007/https://www.azcentral.com/in-depth/news/local/don-bolles/2019/12/17/don-bolles-and-evolution-tracks-mob-and-kemper-marley/2534434001/https://roundup.brophyprep.org/18156/news/was-kemper-marley-connected-to-the-murder-of-don-bolles/ 🎵 Music Credits"Long Thriller Theme Music" by Joel Fazhari from Pixabay"Strange Things 120 bpm" by Dorothe from Pixabay"True Crime Mystery Music LoopabHave ideas or suggestion? We would love to hear from you! Send us a text via this link.👏 Special thanks to our talented partners:Paolo Sbrighi for Musical Composition (instagram.com/paulosbrighi/)Mario Cintra for Logo Design (instagram.com/alacarala/)

While you’re waiting for the next episode, check out Leah's conversation with forensic psychologists Dr. Shiloh and Dr. Scott on their podcast L.A. Not So Confidential. We talk about the origins of Dark City, the importance of research in historical true crime storytelling, and revisit classic cases like Lizzie Borden and Winnie Ruth Judd. You can listen to Episode 215 Behind the Couch: Getting the Story Right with Dark City Podcast here.L.A. Not So Confidential is a true crime and forensic psychology podcast hosted by Los Angeles–based psychologists Dr. Shiloh and Dr. Scott. With their background working in the criminal justice field, they bring a unique and fascinating perspective, dissecting the intersections of true crime, forensic psychology, and entertainment. Learn more at www.la-not-so-confidential.com.And while you are here - make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! It really helps others discover the show and boosts our ranking.Music by Vlad Krotov from PixabayFollow us for episode photos and more at:📷 Instagram: instagram.com/darkcity.podcast 🪡 Threads: threads.net/@darkcity.podcast 👤 Facebook: facebook.com/darkcitypod✉️ Email:  [email protected]  Have ideas or suggestion? We would love to hear from you! Send us a text via this link.👏 Special thanks to our talented partners:Paolo Sbrighi for Musical Composition (instagram.com/paulosbrighi/)Mario Cintra for Logo Design (instagram.com/alacarala/)

Fall River, MA | Andrew and Abby Borden were murdered in their own home. The weapon was never found, no one saw it happen, and suspicion quickly centered on Andrew’s daughter, Lizzie. Here, the threads of resentment, money, a burned dress, and a failed attempt to buy prussic acid point suspicion at Lizzie. More than a century later, the question still lingers: was she guilty, or did history get it wrong? Special thanks to Megan Alves, staff at the Lizzie Borden House, for sharing her expertise with us, and to Shannon and Danica from Murder & Mimosas for joining us at the house.Follow us for episode photos and more at:📷 Instagram: instagram.com/darkcity.podcast 🪡 Threads: threads.net/@darkcity.podcast 👤 Facebook: facebook.com/darkcitypod✉️ Email:  [email protected]  🔎 Want to see how deep this story really goes? Here’s the full set of sources we used:-Alexandra, R. (2018, July 10). The legend of Lizzie Borden: Gruesome truth or fantastic fiction? KQED.-Alves, M. (2025, July). Interview by Dark City Podcast and Murder & Mimosas Podcast. The Lizzie Borden House. [Personal communication].-CBS News. (2021, July 31). Lizzie Borden took an axe (Season 33, Episode 56) [TV series episode]. 48 Hours.-Conforti, J. (2019, July 23). How Lizzie Borden got away with murder. Smithsonian Magazine. Updated by S. Anderson, May 3, 2024.-Douglas, J. E., & Olshaker, M. (2001). The cases that haunt us. Pocket Books.-https://fallriverhistorical.org/-https://www.heraldnews.com/story/news/crime/2023/10/23/true-crime-tale-borden-relative-drowned-jello-gene-travis-prison-murderer/71125873007/-https://www.heraldnews.com/story/news/history/2023/03/06/len-rebello-fall-river-author-of-rare-lizzie-borden-book-dies-at-76/69961005007/-Koorey, S. (2019, September 7). Myth busting Lizzie Borden: Facts on the lie of an enigmatic woman [Video]. Nashua Historical Society. YouTube.-https://lizziebordenwarpsandwefts.com/2010/11/23/emma-and-her-furs/-https://lizziebordenwarpsandwefts.com/2022/01/22/d-r-smith-the-man-prussic-acid-two-brides-a-scandal/-Medeiros, D. (2023, August 4). Did Lizzie Borden use an alias? 5 facts you never knew about Fall River’s infamous murders. The Herald News.-Medeiros, D. (2023, October 23). Poisoned Jell-O, a killer mom, and a career-criminal murderer: 3 shocking true crime tales. The Herald News.-Robertson, C. (2019). The trial of Lizzie Borden. Simon & Schuster.-SPREDD. (n.d.). Community: Fall River. https://srpedd.org/community/fall-river/#:~:text=Settled%20on%20hills%20overlooking%20the,musical%20performances%20throughout%20the%20year-Taylor, T. (2015). One August morning. Whitechapel Productions.Have ideas or suggestion? We would love to hear from you! Send us a text via this link.👏 Special thanks to our talented partners:Paolo Sbrighi for Musical Composition (instagram.com/paulosbrighi/)Mario Cintra for Logo Design (instagram.com/alacarala/)

Phoenix, AZ | The Orpheum Theatre has endured every challenge history put in its path, and so have the spirits of those who once filled its halls. From vaudeville spectacles and Hollywood premieres to decades of neglect and a $14.5 million restoration, the Orpheum has been the stage for both Phoenix’s triumphs and its growing pains. Today it dazzles with cutting-edge technology, but its most unforgettable performances may come from the ghosts who never left.Special Note: Jarrod Riddle of Spirit of Arizona Tours provided a personal experience for this episode. Learn more about him and sign up for a tour here: https://spiritofarizonatours.com/Follow us for episode photos and more at:📷 Instagram: instagram.com/darkcity.podcast 🪡 Threads: threads.net/@darkcity.podcast 👤 Facebook: facebook.com/darkcitypod✉️ Email:  [email protected]  📚 Our key sources for this episode are listed below. A complete list of sources can be found on our website.- 12 News. (2019, October 23). Haunted happenings inside the Orpheum Theatre in Phoenix [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y39nKgxDCEA- Airdo, J. J. (n.d.). The Orpheum: A Monument to Phoenix’s Memory Lane. Images Arizona. https://imagesarizona.com/the-orpheum-a-monument-to-phoenixs-memory-lane/- Arizona Daily Star. (1953, July 1). Harry Nace obit. Newspapers.com. Retrieved August 19, 2025, from https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-daily-star-harry-nace-obit/11210210/- Arizona PBS. (2023). The Orpheum Theatre | Arizona Stories Shorts [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPOyF-M7BbQ- Boehm, J. (2025, February 3). See inside Phoenix’s upgraded Orpheum Theatre. Axios Phoenix. https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/02/03/phoenix-orpheum-theatre-upgrades- Branning, D. (2019). Haunted Phoenix. The History Press.- Friends of the Orpheum Theatre. (n.d.). Friends of the Orpheum Theatre official website. https://www.fototphx.org- Gleich, M. (2025, February 10). The Orpheum Theatre Phoenix debuts new renovations. Arizona Foothills Magazine. https://www.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com/valleygirlblog/grand_openings/the-orpheum-theatre-phoenix-debuts-new-renovations/- Goldstein, S. (2019, October 31). Haunted Phoenix: Reawakening sleeping spirits at the Orpheum Theatre. KJZZ. https://www.kjzz.org/2019-10-31/content-1280136-haunted-phoenix-reawakening-sleeping-spirits-orpheum-theatre- Leatherman, B., & Cusimano, L. (2024, October 29). 12 most haunted places in Phoenix, Tempe and around Arizona. Phoenix New Times. https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/arts/haunted-places-in-arizona-orpheum-casey-moores-lost-dutchman-6554798- Magahern, J. (2016, February 1). Nice guys finish last. PHOENIX Magazine. https://www.phoenixmag.com/2016/02/01/nice-guys-finish-last/- Mike Hume’s Historic Theatre Photography. (n.d.). Orpheum Theatre, Phoenix. Retrieved August 19, 2025, from https://www.historictheatrephotos.com/Theatre/Orpheum-Phoenix.aspx- Orpheum Theatre. (n.d.). Orpheum Theatre official website. https://www.orpheumphx.com/- Reiner, D. (2022, January 13). From the circus to the Orpheum: The colorful career of Joseph Elmer Rickards. Arizona Republic. https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix-history/2022/01/13/phoenix-history-colorful-career-joseph-elmer-rickards/9136371002/- Roark, J. (2022, August 1). The Orpheum Theatre is a gilded mirHave ideas or suggestion? We would love to hear from you! Send us a text via this link.👏 Special thanks to our talented partners:Paolo Sbrighi for Musical Composition (instagram.com/paulosbrighi/)Mario Cintra for Logo Design (instagram.com/alacarala/)

Fall River, MA | We stayed overnight in the Lizzie Borden House to see for ourselves if the many accounts of paranormal activity were real.  We’ll just say it wasn’t exactly uneventful. In this haunted detour from Phoenix, we dive into the ghost stories surrounding the infamous ax murders and uncover a relatively unknown tragedy in the Borden family that happened right next door, and is likely fueling the paranormal activity at the Borden house. Lipton soup, phantom bells, and child spirits in the attics. No shortage of stories to tell here.Follow us for episode photos and more at:📷 Instagram: instagram.com/darkcity.podcast 🪡 Threads: threads.net/@darkcity.podcast 👤 Facebook: facebook.com/darkcitypod✉️ Email:  [email protected]  🔎 Want to see how deep this story really goes? Here’s the full set of sources we used:-Alves, M. (2025, July). Interview by Dark City Podcast and Murder & Mimosas Podcast. The Lizzie Borden House. [Personal communication].-https://fallriverhistorical.org/-Infant Mortality and Life Expectancy. (n.d.). PBS Frontline/FRONTLINE: The First Measured Century. https://www.pbs.org/fmc/timeline/dmortality.htm-Medeiros, D. (2023, October 23). Poisoned Jell-O, a killer mom, and a career-criminal murderer: 3 shocking true crime tales. The Herald News.-Robertson, C. (2019). The trial of Lizzie Borden. Simon & Schuster.-SPREDD. (n.d.). Community: Fall River. https://srpedd.org/community/fall-river/#:~:text=Settled%20on%20hills%20overlooking%20the,musical%20performances%20throughout%20the%20year-The Warps and Wefts of Lizzie Borden. (n.d.-a). The four wives of Lawdwick Borden. Retrieved July 28, 2025, from https://lizziebordenwarpsandwefts.com/the-four-wives-of-lawdwick-borden/-The Warps and Wefts of Lizzie Borden. (2023, September 28). Murder in the cistern: The girl who lived. Retrieved July 28, 2025, from https://lizziebordenwarpsandwefts.com/2023/09/28/murder-in-the-cistern-the-girl-who-lievd/-The Warps and Wefts of Lizzie Borden. (2024, February 12). A visit to the scene of another Borden tragedy. Retrieved July 28, 2025, from https://lizziebordenwarpsandwefts.com/2024/02/12/a-visit-to-the-scene-of-another-borden-tragedy/Music Credits: Beethoven Sonatas provided by https://www.classicals.de/beethoven. Inspiring Cinematic Ambient Music by Aleksey Chistilin from PixabayHave ideas or suggestion? We would love to hear from you! Send us a text via this link.👏 Special thanks to our talented partners:Paolo Sbrighi for Musical Composition (instagram.com/paulosbrighi/)Mario Cintra for Logo Design (instagram.com/alacarala/)

Phoenix, AZ | We dive into conflicting confessions, courtroom chaos, and the question that won’t die: Did Winnie Ruth Judd act alone? Or was “Happy Jack” Halloran neck-deep in the horror?From drainpipe letters to marionette films, this story only gets weirder.Follow us for episode photos and more at:📷 Instagram: instagram.com/darkcity.podcast 🪡 Threads: threads.net/@darkcity.podcast 👤 Facebook: facebook.com/darkcitypod✉️ Email:  [email protected]  🔎 Want to see how deep this story really goes? Our top sources for this episode include:-Spirit of Arizona Tours in Phoenix, guided by Jarrod Riddle. https://spiritofarizonatours.com/ -Bommersbach, J. (2003). The trunk murderess: Winnie Ruth Judd (1st trade ed.). Poisoned Pen Press. (Original work published 1992)-Worel, J. V., & Worel, S. L. (2015). Sammy and Sunny: The story of Hedvig Samuelson, murdered by Winnie Ruth Judd, and the story of Sunny Worel’s search for Sammy. [Self-published].-Pela, R. L. (2014, September 24). Ruthless: A long-lost confession letter may finally tell the real story of Winnie Ruth Judd. Phoenix New Times. https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/arts/ruthless-a-long-lost-confession-letter-may-finally-tell-the-real-story-of-winnie-ruth-judd-6657689Additional Sources:-Arizona Horizon Author Special. (2024, December 24). Season 2024, Episode 257: Criminal case of Winnie Ruth Judd; Arizona Parks and Monuments; T.J. Newman releases thriller. PBS. https://www.pbs.org/video/author-special-w388tp/-Arizona Memory Project. (n.d.). Anne LeRoi photograph. https://azmemory.azlibrary.gov/nodes/view/94283-Arizona Memory Project. (n.d.). Sammy Samuelson photograph. https://azmemory.azlibrary.gov/nodes/view/94272-Bommersbach, J. (1983). The trunk murderess: Winnie Ruth Judd. (Referenced through AZ Memory Project collections). https://azmemory.azlibrary.gov/nodes/view/94269#idx339296-Jana Bommersbach, longtime journalist, author of 'Trunk Murderess' book, dies at 78. (2024, July 17). Azcentral. Ruelas, R. https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2024/07/17/jana-bommersbach-longtime-arizona-journalist-and-author-dies-at-78/74433588007/-KJZZ Phoenix. (2024). Robrt Pela talks about what he uncovered in the Winnie Ruth Judd case. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJcQh1KTPLk-L.A. Not So Confidential. (2023, February 8). 127. Vintage Case: The Trunk Murders & Winnie Ruth Judd [Podcast episode]. Apple Podcasts. https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/127-vintage-case-the-trunk-murders-winnie-ruth-judd/id1293032240?i=1000598648335-Morbid. (n.d.). Winnie Ruth Judd: The Trunk Murderess [Podcast episode]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IAwzmcO7QI-Trunk murderer wins big court settlement. (1982, December 31). UPI Archives. https://www.upi.com/Archives/1982/12/31/Trunk-murderer-wins-big-court-settlement/5662410158800/-Valley 101: The legend of Winnie Ruth Judd, Phoenix's "Trunk Murderess". (2024). Azcentral. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3O2UVPxHZBAHave ideas or suggestion? We would love to hear from you! Send us a text via this link.👏 Special thanks to our talented partners:Paolo Sbrighi for Musical Composition (instagram.com/paulosbrighi/)Mario Cintra for Logo Design (instagram.com/alacarala/)

Phoenix, AZ | Three bold, trailblazing women share a quiet Phoenix duplex, until one boards a train to Los Angeles with the other two dead and hidden in her luggage. In 1931, Phoenix was a little-known desert town of 50,000, but this brutal, baffling case put it on the map and continues to raise questions nearly a century later.Follow us for episode photos and more at:📷 Instagram: instagram.com/darkcity.podcast 🪡 Threads: threads.net/@darkcity.podcast 👤 Facebook: facebook.com/darkcitypod✉️ Email:  [email protected]  🔎 Want to see how deep this story really goes? Our top sources for this episode include:-Spirit of Arizona Tours in Phoenix, guided by Jarrod Riddle. https://spiritofarizonatours.com/ -Bommersbach, J. (2003). The trunk murderess: Winnie Ruth Judd (1st trade ed.). Poisoned Pen Press. (Original work published 1992)-Worel, J. V., & Worel, S. L. (2015). Sammy and Sunny: The story of Hedvig Samuelson, murdered by Winnie Ruth Judd, and the story of Sunny Worel’s search for Sammy. [Self-published].-Pela, R. L. (2014, September 24). Ruthless: A long-lost confession letter may finally tell the real story of Winnie Ruth Judd. Phoenix New Times. https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/arts/ruthless-a-long-lost-confession-letter-may-finally-tell-the-real-story-of-winnie-ruth-judd-6657689Additional Sources:-Arizona Horizon Author Special. (2024, December 24). Season 2024, Episode 257: Criminal case of Winnie Ruth Judd; Arizona Parks and Monuments; T.J. Newman releases thriller. PBS. https://www.pbs.org/video/author-special-w388tp/-Arizona Memory Project. (n.d.). Anne LeRoi photograph. https://azmemory.azlibrary.gov/nodes/view/94283-Arizona Memory Project. (n.d.). Sammy Samuelson photograph. https://azmemory.azlibrary.gov/nodes/view/94272-Bommersbach, J. (1983). The trunk murderess: Winnie Ruth Judd. (Referenced through AZ Memory Project collections). https://azmemory.azlibrary.gov/nodes/view/94269#idx339296-Jana Bommersbach, longtime journalist, author of 'Trunk Murderess' book, dies at 78. (2024, July 17). Azcentral. Ruelas, R. https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2024/07/17/jana-bommersbach-longtime-arizona-journalist-and-author-dies-at-78/74433588007/-KJZZ Phoenix. (2024). Robrt Pela talks about what he uncovered in the Winnie Ruth Judd case. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJcQh1KTPLk-L.A. Not So Confidential. (2023, February 8). 127. Vintage Case: The Trunk Murders & Winnie Ruth Judd [Podcast episode]. Apple Podcasts. https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/127-vintage-case-the-trunk-murders-winnie-ruth-judd/id1293032240?i=1000598648335-Morbid. (n.d.). Winnie Ruth Judd: The Trunk Murderess [Podcast episode]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IAwzmcO7QI-Trunk murderer wins big court settlement. (1982, December 31). UPI Archives. https://www.upi.com/Archives/1982/12/31/Trunk-murderer-wins-big-court-settlement/5662410158800/-Valley 101: The legend of Winnie Ruth Judd, Phoenix's "Trunk Murderess". (2024). Azcentral. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3O2UVPxHZBAHave ideas or suggestion? We would love to hear from you! Send us a text via this link.👏 Special thanks to our talented partners:Paolo Sbrighi for Musical Composition (instagram.com/paulosbrighi/)Mario Cintra for Logo Design (instagram.com/alacarala/)

Wood Island, Maine | Wood Island is so haunted, even bestselling horror writer J.D. Barker won’t stay the night - and he’s here to share how its chilling history inspired his upcoming book, Something I Keep Upstairs.  Just as the Stanley Hotel inspired Stephen King’s The Shining (and J.D. shares a terrifying story from his own stay there!), Wood Island’s dark past—plagued by disease, starvation, vanished bodies, and eerie paranormal activity—laid the foundation for his latest novel.  Most chilling is J.D.'s revelation that while writing the novel, he repeatedly created fictional scenes only to later discover he had accurately described actual historical events—information he had no prior knowledge of.You can preorder a signed copy of Something I Keep Upstairs at dbarker.com. If you are not entirely terrified of Wood Island by the end of this episode, you can enter the contest to stay overnight at https://woobox.com/vcevs2.  If you win, you have to write to us at [email protected] and share all of the details!Follow us for episode photos and more at:📷 Instagram: instagram.com/darkcity.podcast 🪡 Threads: threads.net/@darkcity.podcast 👤 Facebook: facebook.com/darkcitypod✉️ Email:  [email protected]  Have ideas or suggestion? We would love to hear from you! Send us a text via this link.👏 Special thanks to our talented partners:Paolo Sbrighi for Musical Composition (instagram.com/paulosbrighi/)Mario Cintra for Logo Design (instagram.com/alacarala/)

Los Angeles, CA | What did Christa Helm know that got her killed? Or was she the victim of a jealous rage? On February 12, 1977, Christa was brutally stabbed to death in a quiet West Hollywood neighborhood. The night she was murdered, she carried a personal diary filled with high-profile names, secrets, and scandals—one that mysteriously vanished and has never been found. Decades later, her killer remains unknown. The eerie coincidences surrounding her death are just as numerous as the people who may have had a motive to silence her. Joining us to unravel the mystery is Jamey DuVall, Christa’s biographer and producer of the podcast Movie Geeks United.You can submit a tip or stay updated on Jamey’s work and his upcoming book at www.whokilledchristahelm.com, or follow him on Instagram and Facebook @whokilledchristahelm.Follow us for episode photos and more at:📷 Instagram: instagram.com/darkcity.podcast 🪡 Threads: threads.net/@darkcity.podcast 👤 Facebook: facebook.com/darkcitypod✉️ Email:  [email protected]  Have ideas or suggestion? We would love to hear from you! Send us a text via this link.👏 Special thanks to our talented partners:Paolo Sbrighi for Musical Composition (instagram.com/paulosbrighi/)Mario Cintra for Logo Design (instagram.com/alacarala/)

Los Angeles, CA | How does a cafeteria owner in 1930s Los Angeles, dedicated to providing affordable meals for all, become the driving force behind exposing and dismantling corruption? Today we are joined by Robert Petersen, host of the podcast The Hidden History of Los Angeles, to talk about Clifford Clinton—a man who took on the city’s power structure and won, but whose own personal life tells a far more complicated story.You can check out Robert’s podcast The Hidden History of Los Angeles at podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hidden-history-of-los-angeles/id666596114, or follow him on Instagram @hiddenhistoryla.  Follow us for episode photos and more at:📷 Instagram: instagram.com/darkcity.podcast 🪡 Threads: threads.net/@darkcity.podcast 👤 Facebook: facebook.com/darkcitypod✉️ Email:  [email protected]  Have ideas or suggestion? We would love to hear from you! Send us a text via this link.👏 Special thanks to our talented partners:Paolo Sbrighi for Musical Composition (instagram.com/paulosbrighi/)Mario Cintra for Logo Design (instagram.com/alacarala/)

Los Angeles, CA | Los Angeles is burning, and the impact is personal.  We delve into the current status of the devastating fires, discuss the factors that made them so catastrophic, and explore what they mean for the city's future. Linked Resources/How to Help:California Wildfires: Palisades and Eaton Fires (AP)L.A. Wildfires: Help and Resources List (KCRW)Mental Health Support for Fire Victims (LAist)How to Help L.A. Fire Victims (LAist)Wildfire Awareness Post on Instagram (PBS SoCal)Linked Sources Referenced:Palisades Fire Wednesday Live Updates (KTLA)Wildfire Destroys Historic Home, Structures at Southern California State Parks (KTLA)Southern California Wildfire History (LAist)California Fires: Possible Causes (AP)California Fires: Victims and Aftermath (NYT)Weather Factors in L.A.’s Fires (LA Times)Santa Ana Winds and Wildfires (NPR)Federal Aid Amid Fires (LA Times)Maps and Visuals of L.A. Wildfires (CNN)Why L.A. Struggled With Modern Fires (NPR)History of Wildfires in Los Angeles (Wildfire LA)Fire Spike in L.A. (NBC Los Angeles)Bunny Museum Rebuild After Fire (LA Times)Power Lines and Fire Causes (LA Times)The title of this episode is inspired by a post from Blair Imani Ali, author of Read this toHave ideas or suggestion? We would love to hear from you! Send us a text via this link.👏 Special thanks to our talented partners:Paolo Sbrighi for Musical Composition (instagram.com/paulosbrighi/)Mario Cintra for Logo Design (instagram.com/alacarala/)

Los Angeles, CA | Former LAPD homicide detective Steve Hodel once asked himself the unthinkable: Could his own father have killed Elizabeth Short? In this episode, we conclude the tragic story of Short’s 1947 murder with Steve Hodel, now a New York Times bestselling author, as he shares the chilling evidence that turned suspicion into conviction. Steve's investigation reveals a complex web of connections linking Dr. Hodel to the art world, the disturbing crime scene, and widespread corruption within the LAPD.  You can see the works of art referenced in this episode by clicking on the linked titles below. NOTE: Viewer Discretion Advised - These links contain graphic and upsetting material related to the Black Dahlia case.The Lovers by Man Ray Minotaur by Man Ray Q - Quarrel by Man RayIt's Midnight Dr. _____ by William CopleySteve Hodel is a New York Times bestselling author. Born and raised in Los Angeles, he spent twenty-four years with the LAPD, where, as a homicide detective, he worked on more than three hundred murder cases and achieved one of the highest “solve rates” on the force. His first book, Black Dahlia Avenger: A Genius for Murder, was a NYT bestseller and was nominated for an MWA Edgar Award in the Best Fact category. Steve’s investigations and nine books, now spanning two decades, have been featured on NBC Dateline, CBS 48 Hours, Court TV, and Bill Kurtis Cold Case Files, CNN Anderson Cooper, and Discovery Channel. In 2019, Steve appeared on The Today Show, as well as Dr. Phil and Dr. Oz, where he and other family members discussed the making of the hit podcast Root of Evil: The True Story of the Hodel Family and the Black Dahlia Murder. This podcast was the companion piece and true story to the Patty Jenkins/Chris Pine fictionalized six-part miniseries I Am the Night (2009). Steve was not consulted, nor did he participate in the fictional version, but he did provide extensive interviews in the Root of Evil podcast. In 2022, Steve moved to Birch Bay, Washington State, and now resides there.To read more about Steve’s work, visit his website at stevehodel.com/ and explore his collection of published books at stevehodel.com/books/.Follow us for episode photos and more at:📷 Instagram: instagram.com/darkcity.podcast 🪡 Threads: threads.net/@darkcity.podcast 👤 Facebook: facebook.com/darkcitypod✉️ Email:  [email protected]  Have ideas or suggestion? We would love to hear from you! Send us a text via this link.👏 Special thanks to our talented partners:Paolo Sbrighi for Musical Composition (instagram.com/paulosbrighi/)Mario Cintra for Logo Design (instagram.com/alacarala/)

Los Angeles, CA | Join us for an audio tour of Hollywood and downtown Los Angeles’ most haunted locations and infamous crime scenes with James T. Bartlett, journalist and author of Gourmet Ghosts Volumes 1 & 2. From the lingering spirit of Marilyn Monroe to the poetic capture of a murderer, this journey will give you a new perspective on these iconic locations.  To read more about James’ work and order Gourmet Ghosts (there are many more locations we could not cover in the episode!), visit his website at gourmetghosts.com and follow him on Instagram at instagram.com/gourmetghosts/.A quick list of the locations we cover: Grauman’s Chinese TheatreRoosevelt HotelBarclay HotelBiltmore HotelHolland HotelThe Suicide Triangle (Cecil Hotel, Haywood Hotel, Rosslyn Hotel)Follow us for episode photos and more at:📷 Instagram: instagram.com/darkcity.podcast 🪡 Threads: threads.net/@darkcity.podcast 👤 Facebook: facebook.com/darkcitypod✉️ Email:  [email protected]  Have ideas or suggestion? We would love to hear from you! Send us a text via this link.👏 Special thanks to our talented partners:Paolo Sbrighi for Musical Composition (instagram.com/paulosbrighi/)Mario Cintra for Logo Design (instagram.com/alacarala/)

Los Angeles, CA | Elizabeth Short’s 1947 murder (also known as the Black Dahlia) still haunts Los Angeles. We press closer to the truth, tearing into the most gripping theories about who claimed Elizabeth Short’s life. *Note: Since the troubled teen industry came up at the beginning of the episode, we wanted to take the opportunity to share a few links on how you can help stop the abuses in this system:  stopinstitutionalchildabuse.com and unsilenced.org.  It's a cause we are passionate about and we will continue to bring awareness and advocate for change wherever we can!Follow us for episode photos and more at:📷 Instagram: instagram.com/darkcity.podcast 🪡 Threads: threads.net/@darkcity.podcast 👤 Facebook: facebook.com/darkcitypod✉️ Email:  [email protected]  🔎 Want to see how deep this story really goes? Here’s the full set of sources we used:-Eatwell, Piu. Black Dahlia, Red Rose: The Crime, Corruption, and Cover-Up of America's Greatest Unsolved Murder. Liveright. Kindle Edition. Publication Date: 2017-Hodel, Steve. Black Dahlia Avenger I: One of the Most Notorious Murders of the Twentieth Century…Solved. Kindle Edition. Publication Date: 2012-Hodel, Steve. Black Dahlia Avenger II: Presenting the Follow-Up Investigation and Further Evidence Linking Dr. George Hill Hodel to Los Angeles' s Black Dahlia and other 1940s Lone Woman Murders. Thoughtprint Press. Kindle Edition. Publication Date: 2014-https://www.fbi.gov/history/famous-cases/the-black-dahlia-https://www.abc10.com/article/news/crime/true-crime/black-dahlia-murderer-zodiac-killer-retired-lapd-detective-unsolved-california/103-e8765852-ed94-4f0e-8431-aaffd7c551ce-https://allthatsinteresting.com/black-dahlia-killer/7-https://www.britannica.com/art/Surrealism-https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/black-dahlia-murder-solved-shocking-new-details-about-aspiring-actress-elizabeth-shorts-life-and-gruesome-death-https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-dec-19-me-knowlton19-story.html-https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-apr-11-me-lopez11-story.html-https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-apr-13-me-lopez13-story.html-https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-01-06-mn-15889-story.html-https://www.pbssocal.org/history-society/a-los-angeles-primer-leimert-park-https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/has-the-black-dahlia-murder-finally-been-solved-198247-https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/elizabeth-short-george-hodel-suspects-clues-13354993.php-https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/fresh-look-black-dahlia-murder-180967953/-https://southpasadenan.com/black-dahlia-murder-retired-lapd-detective-reveals-new-evidence-pointing-to-prime-suspect-his-father/-https://sowdenhouse.com/history/-https://kfiam640.iheart.com/featured/unsolved-with-steve-gregory/content/2022-01-19-episode-109-the-black-dahlia/-https://stevehodel.com/2019/04/12/director-screenwriter-david-lynch-reveals-new-old-clue-to-black-dahlia-investigation-in-dinner-with-john-john/-https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/may/26/black-dahlia-murder-steve-hodel-elizabeth-short-https://www.thetimes.com/article/review-black-dahlia-red-rose-solved-piu-eatwell-lhvptx2pn-https://thecrimewire.com/true-crime/Black-Dahlias-Unsolved-Death-Elizabeth-ShortHave ideas or suggestion? We would love to hear from you! Send us a text via this link.👏 Special thanks to our talented partners:Paolo Sbrighi for Musical Composition (instagram.com/paulosbrighi/)Mario Cintra for Logo Design (instagram.com/alacarala/)

Los, Angeles, CA | In the shadowy landscape of 1940s Los Angeles, one murder would captivate and horrify a nation. Elizabeth Short—forever immortalized as the Black Dahlia—represents more than just a gruesome crime. She was a young woman whose tragic end became a dark legend, a mystery that has haunted investigators and true crime enthusiasts for generations. We’re peeling back the layers of sensationalism and diving deep into the forensic details, cultural context, and shocking evidence that might finally answer the question: Who killed Elizabeth Short? Follow us for episode photos and more at:📷 Instagram: instagram.com/darkcity.podcast 🪡 Threads: threads.net/@darkcity.podcast 👤 Facebook: facebook.com/darkcitypod✉️ Email:  [email protected]  🔎 Want to see how deep this story really goes? Here’s the full set of sources we used:-Eatwell, Piu. Black Dahlia, Red Rose: The Crime, Corruption, and Cover-Up of America's Greatest Unsolved Murder. Liveright. Kindle Edition. Publication Date: 2017-Hodel, Steve. Black Dahlia Avenger I: One of the Most Notorious Murders of the Twentieth Century…Solved. Kindle Edition. Publication Date: 2012-Hodel, Steve. Black Dahlia Avenger II: Presenting the Follow-Up Investigation and Further Evidence Linking Dr. George Hill Hodel to Los Angeles' s Black Dahlia and other 1940s Lone Woman Murders. Thoughtprint Press. Kindle Edition. Publication Date: 2014-https://www.fbi.gov/history/famous-cases/the-black-dahlia-https://www.abc10.com/article/news/crime/true-crime/black-dahlia-murderer-zodiac-killer-retired-lapd-detective-unsolved-california/103-e8765852-ed94-4f0e-8431-aaffd7c551ce-https://allthatsinteresting.com/black-dahlia-killer/7-https://www.britannica.com/art/Surrealism-https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/black-dahlia-murder-solved-shocking-new-details-about-aspiring-actress-elizabeth-shorts-life-and-gruesome-death-https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-dec-19-me-knowlton19-story.html-https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-apr-11-me-lopez11-story.html-https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-apr-13-me-lopez13-story.html-https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-01-06-mn-15889-story.html-https://www.pbssocal.org/history-society/a-los-angeles-primer-leimert-park-https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/has-the-black-dahlia-murder-finally-been-solved-198247-https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/elizabeth-short-george-hodel-suspects-clues-13354993.php-https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/fresh-look-black-dahlia-murder-180967953/-https://southpasadenan.com/black-dahlia-murder-retired-lapd-detective-reveals-new-evidence-pointing-to-prime-suspect-his-father/-https://sowdenhouse.com/history/-https://kfiam640.iheart.com/featured/unsolved-with-steve-gregory/content/2022-01-19-episode-109-the-black-dahlia/-https://stevehodel.com/2019/04/12/director-screenwriter-david-lynch-reveals-new-old-clue-to-black-dahlia-investigation-in-dinner-with-john-john/-https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/may/26/black-dahlia-murder-steve-hodel-elizabeth-short-https://www.thetimes.com/article/review-black-dahlia-red-rose-solved-piu-eatwell-lhvptx2pn-https://thecrimewire.com/true-crime/Black-Dahlias-Unsolved-Death-Elizabeth-ShortHave ideas or suggestion? We would love to hear from you! Send us a text via this link.👏 Special thanks to our talented partners:Paolo Sbrighi for Musical Composition (instagram.com/paulosbrighi/)Mario Cintra for Logo Design (instagram.com/alacarala/)