Narrative Noir

Author: AceDescription: On February 3rd, 2023, a train carrying various kinds of toxic chemicals derailed and caught fire in East Palestine. Almost three years later, after many delays, the victims of this tragedy are finally getting their settlement money, and it's turning out to be less than expected.Content warnings include references to animal death, cancer, and death due to cancer.Special thanks to Pixabay.com for their library of royalty free music!Sources and Transcript: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:49989eed-c650-4046-a9a0-12500f6f8bab

Author: Killian SnitzerDescription: In America, the professional criminal has a certain amount of mystique and legend that follows them throughout history. Many criminals today would even be willing to compare themselves to the legendary crimes of old, but why is there no “Billy the Kid 2”?. When it comes to the world of organized, or professional, crime and those that make a living from it, what has caused them to change their ways, and perhaps, shift that focus to other opportunities?Sources and Transcript: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:9ba365a6-535b-4921-b3dc-dc7969e8aabe

Author: Willa SabelkoDescription: In the Netflix documentary, The Perfect Neighbor, police bodycam footage is pieced together to reveal a true story exposing the flaws of stand-your-ground laws. Disputes between neighbors escalate and eventually lead to a white woman, Susan Lorincz, shooting through her locked door, hitting Ajike “AJ” Owens, a black mother of four, in the chest, killing her, and following the trend of using stand your ground laws to justify violence against unarmed black people.Sources and Transcript: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:7f86830d-7c42-4d7d-8da7-a95065c2d75b

Author: Alex PughDescription: Alex takes a wider perspective on true crime, its fixation on violent crime, and how the good that fixation brings can be shifted towards the resolving of less grisly, but increasingly more dangerous, crime.Sources: Perchtold-Stefan, C., Rominger, C., Ceh, S., Sattler, K., Veit, S.-V., & Fink, A. (2025). Out of the dark – Psychological perspectives on people's fascination with true crime. British Journal of Psychology, 00, 1–30. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjop.70038Research, Edison. “The True Crime Consumer Report by Edison Research and Audiochuck .” Edison Research at SSRS, 28 Jan. 2025, www.edisonresearch.com/the-true-crime-consumer-report-by-edison-research-and-audiochuck/.Flesh Simulator. “The Building between Six and Eight | FLESH SIMULATOR.” YouTube, YouTube, 2025, www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOZToel_368.Transcript: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:4e634786-5922-4a85-a281-b52017a61bf6

Author: JuliaDescription: In the 1990s Anne Marie Fahey unfortunately met her end. What started as an office affair snowballed into a relationship fueled by his control and jealousy, sadly Fahey would never make it out and the only person to blame is Thomas Capano. Host Julia will take you deeper into this case on Narrative Noir.Sources and Transcript: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:78c6a2e5-4dea-4cfe-a88e-8b20a9d3342e

Author: GrafficDescription: As true crime media grows more popular, so too do different trends in it. Among these trends that have developed is a rise in true crime media that is directly disrespectful to the topics being covered. This episode analyzes this rise in disrespect towards the victims of these crimes that can be seen in makeup true crime, mukbang true crime, and podcasts that are generally insulting to the victims.Content warnings: mentioned child death, mention of John Wayne Gacy and his crimes (murder, sexual assault), mentioned murdersReferenced Morbid episodes:https://open.spotify.com/episode/3aBAPI9KQqfcViEtgOlYIB?si=sV7xu0M_S0ehqwPVzbAFTA, https://open.spotify.com/episode/1N377lu9uZaoEh4YjykcqF,https://open.spotify.com/episode/2FSssCR5kjeel0knshLdQO,https://open.spotify.com/episode/3BbMAnFNrQdzMwKfnrlLVzMusic used:https://pixabay.com/music/electronic-kim-lightyear-drowning-218992/https://pixabay.com/music/ambient-down-the-water-no-strings-crime-dark-investigation-music-326434/https://pixabay.com/music/mystery-dark-ambient-background-505385/Script: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:b831a44f-147f-47ee-9e7d-dd14af7ce09b

Author: MaeDescription: Media outlets often oversensationalize acts of true crime to garner extra attention, but can lead to media hype amongst the youth, in which they compete in committing heinous transgressions to gain notoriety. Join Mae on this episode of Narrative Noir in diving deep into how the media’s sensationalism of violence has created morbid competitiveness among some youth leading to copycat killings.Trigger Warnings: school shootings, death, violenceSources and Script: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:42e1f6f7-2346-44d3-bff7-7ebdcba9b668

Written, Recorded and Edited By:  Collette McElroyDescription:  Driscoll, Garland and Culkin. Three child stars whose lives were permanently altered because of a string of life choices; a look into how the industry and media treats child stars. Content Warnings: Discussion of drugs, unhealthy eating/dieting, assault, abuse and abortions, stay safe and listener discretion is advised.Sources and Transcript: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:c9a6707e-7344-4158-9c33-379054358be7

Author: Elizabeth Description: Nowadays people can see anything on social media platforms, and this includes uncensored violent media, that leaves the viewer unsure what to think. How does this content affect viewers mentally? How can it affect different age groups who are still developing cognitively? In this episode, host Elizabeth is going to raise these questions, while talking through different facts and research presented.Sources and Script: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:79489a8b-d21e-4d6e-971c-df79fcf686ad

Author: Emalee K.Description:  For the last 70 years, space exploration has caused controversy around the world. From the ethics of animal testing for space flights, to the preventable deaths of astronauts due to failed safety measures, and even the environmental and monetary downsides, the argument on whether space travel is necessary is full force. But these ethical and environmental crimes are preventable with proper funding, which is why supporting science is extremely important for the growth of society and Earth. Trigger Warnings: Death, animal cruelty, animal death, space (astraphobia and agoraphobia)Sources and Script: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:b55c9711-8ce2-4b8a-b923-58c15041db37

Author: EmDescription:  There is an ongoing issue in the United States of police brutality and corruption within the law enforcement system. Black Americans are experiencing violence, mistreatment, and are being killed at a staggering rate by the police every year. In this episode of Narrative Noir, we will be discussing various cases of police brutality towards marginalized citizens (with a focus on Black Americans) within a system of institutional racism. From there, we will discuss how these political problems are portrayed by true crime media and if this coverage is helpful or harmful to the victims of these cases.Sources and Script: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:b138bd92-fdc2-40f9-9b21-bf11eb46103c

Author: Reagan CherniskyDescription: Why do people romanticize murder? From fan mail sent to serial killers like Ted Bundy to the resurgence of online fascination following Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, true crime culture has a pattern of turning real violence into something strangely compelling and engaging. But when does curiosity cross the line into romanticization?This episode explores how media, storytelling, and digital culture shape the way that audiences engage with violent crime. Looking at both historical and modern examples in cases, it examines how perpetrators and criminals are sometimes framed as characters, how narratives can often overshadow reality, and what gets lost when entertainment and true crime meld into one.Sources and Script: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:2c66e7c0-84d9-4290-b062-734a7db1c3e1

Author: Grace CalvinDescription: Host Grace Calvin will discuss the dark connection between child victims and media coverage. This episode will analyze how journalism, true crime content, and audience entertainment tend to blur the lines between raising awareness and consuming harmful material. Central to the episode is the case of Corinne Gump, a child whose story became a national spectacle. Rather than honoring her dignity, media coverage framed her identity around the violence and trauma she endured.This episode challenges listeners to rethink media ethics, content engagement, and how society should remember child victims.Content Warning: This episode discusses child homicide, child sexual assault, elderly homicide, and suicide. Listener discretion is advised.Sources and Script: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dCDbnjUGBdj06zN_SDcMCsiVGAJ_0MSKCuHXxeaW07U/edit?tab=t.0

Author: Maria BuergerDescription: Host Maria Buerger discusses the phenomenon of violent female criminals, breaking down the tendency to sensationalize and romanticize such culprits, framed through the lens of the storytelling within the musical Chicago. Content Warning: This episode contains mentions of death, murder, violence, and feminine rage.Sources and Script: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1w05CaCyRLyY9oXxRsA8z_A_Zu4EzIbqk0t3y5_7lMyQ/edit?tab=t.0

Author: Em DeLoachDescription: On December 20, 1959, in Osprey, Florida, a farmhouse in Palmer Ranch was home to the Walker family. Strangely, the home was remarkably quiet on that faithful morning. Typically, within the home, commotion and clamor could be heard from the young family within. Cliff and Christine Walker and their two young children Jimmie and Debbie should’ve been up and getting ready for their days. When Daniel McLeod, one of the ranch workers, came to the property to go hog hunting with Cliff that morning, he immediately felt something was amiss. Unfortunately, he was all too right, and what he would witness upon walking into the family home was abysmally devastating.Sources: Anton, Leonora. “Years Later, Sarasota Murders Tied to ‘in Cold Blood’ Case.” The Ledger, 18 May 2013, www.theledger.com/story/news/2013/05/18/years-later-sarasota-murders-tied/8122891007/. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.Graveyardbride. “Update: December 19, 1959: The Walker Family Murders | What Lies Beyond.” Boards.net, 2024, whatliesbeyond.boards.net/thread/3020/december-1959-walker-family-murders.Lush, Tamara, and John Hanna. “‘In Cold Blood’ Murderers Investigated in Florida.” Corrections1, 5 Dec. 2012, www.corrections1.com/arrests-and-sentencing/articles/in-cold-blood-murderers-investigated-in-florida-zhirSwfyJ6WtDi0X/. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.Ropp, Amanda. “Episode 4: The Walker Family Murders - Florida Sheriffs Association.” Florida Sheriffs Association, 11 Mar. 2025, flsheriffs.org/podcast/entry/episode-4-the-walker-family-murders/. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.Scott, Andrew. “Florida Sheriff’s Office Seeks Poconos’ Help on Old Murder Case.” Pocono Record, 19 Mar. 2011, www.poconorecord.com/story/news/crime/2011/03/19/florida-sheriff-s-office-seeks/50158621007/. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.strangeremains. “Murder for the Holidays: The Unsolved Walker Family Murders.” Strange Remains, 18 Dec. 2017, strangeremains.com/2017/12/17/a-holiday-for-murder-the-unsolved-slaying-of-the-walker-family/. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.Tandon, Bharat. “In Cold Blood | Summary, Assessment, & Facts.” Encyclopædia Britannica, 2019, www.britannica.com/topic/In-Cold-Blood-novel-by-Capote.ystrdysamerica. “Macabre Mondays: The Walker Family Murders - Yesterday’s America.” Yesterday’s America, 19 July 2023, yesterdaysamerica.com/macabre-mondays-the-walker-family-murders/. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.Transcript: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:d0f4398d-c68a-463a-baa1-66db024a8ae5

Authors: Ace and GraphicDescription: It cannot be understated the devastation that losing a child brings, especially when you don’t know what really happened to them. This episode covers Bobby Dunbar, a boy who disappeared in 1912 for 9 months, was found, but later revealed to have been the wrong person almost 100 years later.Content warnings include kidnapping, references to beating, possible child abuse, possible child death.Information on the early aspects of the case are taken from the Library of Congress archives and A Case for Solomon: Bobby Dunbar and the Kidnapping That Haunted a Nation by Tal McThenia and Margaret Dunbar Cutright. Additionally, we want to acknowledge Buzzfeed Unsolved for covering this case initially and bringing it to our attention, and the Wikipedia article on this disappearance as our jump-off point. Music is sourced from Pixabay, a site with royalty-free assets, including music.Songs used from Pixabay: Sinius - Holy Water, Stop The Water!, Space Storm, Galactic Glide (Space Cinematic Ambient), Unexplored Depths, Down The Water No Strings, Dark Ambient Background, sky always whispers what the heart already knows, Dark HorrorLinks.Sources:https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn88064181/1914-04-17/ed-1/?sp=1&q=bobby+dunbar&r=-0.082,0.573,1.141,0.629,0 https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn88085187/1914-02-23/ed-1/?sp=4&q=bobby+dunbar&r=0.367,0.541,0.89,0.41,0https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn89066695/1914-07-09/ed-1/?sp=2&q=bobby+dunbar&r=0.107,0.079,0.924,0.426,0https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn86079080/1914-07-04/ed-1/?sp=1&q=william+cantwell+walters&r=0.196,0.267,0.903,0.416,0https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn82015387/1914-07-04/ed-1/?sp=1&q=william+cantwell+walters&r=0.206,1.054,0.576,0.266,0https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn88064305/1914-04-30/ed-1/?sp=5&q=bobbie+dunbar&r=0.017,0.688,0.721,0.332,0https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn88064181/1914-04-17/ed-1/?sp=1&q=bobbie+dunbar&r=0.362,0.943,0.834,0.384,0https://web.archive.org/web/20190218072921/https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2004/may/5/20040505-111755-3134r/Transcript:https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:6e31c396-b802-4539-b8b6-e17394f97a44

Author: Willa SabelkoDescription: On July 6, 1944, a fire engulfed the Ringling Bros. & Barnum and Bailey big-top circus tent in Hartford, Connecticut, causing it to collapse. Within 10 minutes, 8,000 attendees were forced to flee, leaving 682 injured, and 167 did not make it out. To this day, there are still 6 unidentified victims. In October 2019, interest in identifying one of the victims, Grace Fifield, who was unaccounted for, was piqued for the Connecticut state chief medical examiner, James Gill, using DNA, which was not a possibility at the time of the fire. What other technologies could be used, and how, in solving crimes as innovations advance?Transcript and Sources: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:9d7d266c-d6a8-4a4d-91aa-a2283acc6295

Authors: Maria Buerger and Grace CalvinDescription: Hosts Grace Calvin and Maria Buerger discuss the unsettling cold case of a Kent State student who disappeared without a trace. In May 1978, Judy Martins, a well-loved member of her community, walked 300 yards from an end-of-year college party to her dorm…but she never made it. Her family immediately knew something was wrong, but the investigation yielded nothing. As time passed, and public perception and police procedures came into question, no answers appeared about Judy’s final moments. Half a century later, her family is still hoping for the truth to be divulged.Content Warning: This episode will discuss themes of death, kidnapping, and murder. Listenerdiscretion is advised.Credits:Background music via https://www.FesliyanStudios.comMusic from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/albert-behar/scene-of-the-crimeLicense code: HXHLBXDEEOVTNJPEMusic from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/albert-behar/deep-unknownLicense code: OKVONZ4KDDS1NTQBSources and Transcript: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:bdbbc5de-6cd8-4f75-9e21-3713117ebe5e

Authors: Collette McElroy and Reagan CherniskyDescription: “One of Us” is a true crime podcast episode that explores the mysterious 2011 disappearance of Indiana University student Lauren Spierer. Through a detailed timeline of events, discussion of key individuals, and examination of prevailing theories, the hosts provide a thoughtful and engaging overview of the case.As college students themselves, the hosts reflect on their own shared experiences, including late nights, walking home alone, and everyday campus life. This connection allows them to relate closely to Lauren’s story and reinforces the meaning behind the title, “One of Us,” emphasizing that Lauren was not just a headline but someone just like them. Blending factual reporting with personal insight, the episode highlights the ongoing uncertainty surrounding her disappearance while emphasizing themes of safety, accountability, and the lasting impact on her family and community.

Authors: Alex Pugh and Killian SnitzerDescription: The Kingsbury Run murders, also known as the torso killings, are some of the most interesting, and least known cold cases of all time. To many it will come as a shock that one of America’s first serial killings, and certainly one of its most bloody, took place in northeast Ohio. Please join your hosts Alex and Killian as they take you through the facts of each of the Kingsbury Run murders in chronological order. Hear about the involvement of famous detective, Elliot Ness, and how the string of murders brought him to his breaking point in the burning of Kingsbury Run. And finally, stick around to hear a list of the most likely suspects in the grisly murders.References: Badal, James Jessen. In the Wake of the Butcher: Cleveland’s Torso Murders. The Kent State University Press, 2014.Stashower, Daniel. American Demon: Eliot Ness and the Hunt for America’s Jack the Ripper. St. Martin’s Publishing Group,2022.“Torso Murders.” Cleveland Police Museum, 9 Jan. 2023,⁠www.clevelandpolicemuseum.org/collections/torso-murders/⁠.Transcript:https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:ab81c9fa-df29-40d6-88ef-0048ccdd53be

Authors: Julia and ElizabethDescription: In July 2007, Ashley Summers went missing from Cleveland, Ohio without much of an explanation. To this day, there hasn’t been any confirmed sighting since the week of her disappearance. There are still questions that have never been answered, but most of all will her family ever be able to rest? Hosts Julia and Elizabeth will walk you through the case in this brand new episode.Transcript and Sources: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:3cc54982-3808-412d-bc46-5414056e5bf

Authors: Emalee and MaeDescription: The infamous case of The Black Dahlia focuses on the tragic murder of 22 year old Elizabeth Short in January, 1947. The Black Dahlia was highly publicized due to the graphic nature of the crime committed and was at the center of many conspiracies during the time. Although the case gained major media attention, no one was ever charged for the crime. In this episode, Emalee and Mae dive into the graphic details and possible suspects surrounding the murder of Elizabeth Short.Trigger Warnings [Mae]: Graphic content, murder, suicide, sexual abuse, mutilation of corpses, viewer discretion is advisedTranscript and Sources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ljYdYsRWZ_bnNehwQuMS8fqDjFcBzvxmyjlgDeRWwVE/edit?usp=sharing

Narrative Noir features the work of student authors who are currently enrolled in a junior-level rhetoric, narrative, and true crime writing class. Each class/cohort will produce two series featuring specific themes with the first series being collaborative episodes and the second highlighting individual episodes. Most importantly, every episode centers student research, writing, editing, and choices. In this first series, students have been paired up for a collaborative episode spotlighting cold cases, and these groups must make all decisions about the overall vibe of their episode, the case they choose to cover, the details they relay to the audience, the sources they use and share, and the primary focus of the episode.  Our purpose is collective in seeking to solve these cold cases, some of which are infamous and others thathave slipped into obscurity. Tune in to join the conversation!