Discover the haunting story of Ruth Ellis, the last woman executed in the UK. This Once Upon a Crime series follows Ruth’s journey from a troubled wartime childhood to the smoky nightclubs of London’s underworld—and finally, to the crime that sealed her fate in 1955.

Blending history and storytelling, we explore how love, violence, and society’s harsh judgments shaped Ruth’s life and legacy. A powerful reflection on justice, passion, and the human tragedy behind the headlines.

A haunting journey through glamour, love, and tragedy. Subscribe and download now so you don’t miss a single episode.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jonathan Joss (1965–2025) was a Native American actor and musician renowned for his roles as John Redcorn in King of the Hill and Chief Ken Hotate in Parks and Recreation. His tragic death on June 1, 2025, has brought attention to issues of hate crimes and the underrepresentation of Native American victims in media coverage. Native activists emphasize that Joss’ death highlights an underreported crisis of mental health disparities and violence against Native and LGBTQ communities.

#JonathanJoss #TrueCrimePodcast #MentalHealthAwareness #IndigenousVoices #MediaBias #OnceUponACrime #JusticeForJonathanJoss #NativeAmericanIssues #SystemicNeglect #TrueCrimeAndTrauma

Resources:

• The Trevor Project – for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults in crisis, call 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 678-678 or visit their website thetrevorproject.org.

• StrongHearts Native Helpline – a culturally appropriate helpline for Native Americans impacted by domestic or sexual violence. Call 1-844-7NATIVE, that 1-844-762-8483 or visit strongheartshelpline.org

Sources:

https://www.fox7austin.com/news/jonathan-joss-murder-suspect-sigfredo-ceja-alvarez-bond

https://apnews.com/article/king-of-hill-actor-fatally-shot-joss-68cdcbcdefd0515d5315755201245fca

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3rp3n54d98o

https://www.tpr.org/podcast/fronteras/2025-06-13/fronteras-death-of-jonathan-joss-highlights-systemic-disparities-in-native-and-lgbtq-communities

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jonathan-joss-killed-investigation-sexual-orientation-what-to-know/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Joss

https://deadline.com/2025/06/jonathan-joss-killed-king-of-the-hill-actor-1236420464/

https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2025/06/03/i-shot-him-suspect-admitted-to-killing-actor-jonathan-joss-amid-ongoing-feud-report-states/

Sponsors:

Cornbread Hemp - Visit cornbreadhemp.com/once and use code ONCE for 30% off your first order.

Links:

Join us in Mexico City March 27th - 30th, 2026! Travel with us for four unforgettable days in Mexico City for a safe, fun, and amazing experience! Tickets are on sale now and include meals, activities and expert local guides - all for $1951! (Flights not included.) Click on the link to book your spot! Reserve your spot for just 25% down, pay in full, or apply for a payment plan at booking. The first 8 people to book will receive and early bird discount!

https://trovatrip.com/trip/north-america/mexico/mexico-with-esther-ludlow-mar-2026

Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime

Our Website - www.truecrimepodcast.com

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponACrimePodcast

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Pack your bags and grab your passport — we’re taking the Once Upon a Crime community on the road! In this special episode, we’re officially announcing our upcoming group trip to Mexico City, and trust us, you’re going to want in on this.

From March 27–30, 2025, we’ll be exploring one of the world’s most vibrant cities together — filled with amazing food, iconic art, rich history, and a killer itinerary curated just for our true crime-loving community. You’ll travel with like-minded listeners, hang out with your hosts, and experience CDMX like a local.

✨ Trip Details:

• 📍 Location: Mexico City

• 📅 Dates: March 27–30, 2025

• 💵 Price: $1951 (flights not included)

• 🍽️ Includes 3 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners

• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Small group: 8–20 spots available

🎧 Tune in now for all the details and get ready for an unforgettable adventure with Once Upon a Crime.

🔗 Links & Resources:

• 💻 Learn more at https://trovatrip.com/trip/north-america/mexico/mexico-with-esther-ludlow-mar-2026

#OnceUponATrip #MexicoCity2025 #TrueCrimeTravels #PatreonExclusive #OUACCommunity #TravelWithUs

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this week’s episode we’re going international! You’ll travel to London with Esther for a behind-the-scenes listen to the Once Upon a Crime live show recorded at CrimeCon UK on June 8th. Esther emceed a game show called “Killer Knowledge” where she challenged fellow true crime podcasters Neil and Megan from Mortal Musings on their true crime trivia knowledge. The audience even got in on the action to see who knew their true crime best.

So, grab your detective hat and play along — let’s find out if you’re smarter than a podcaster

Links:

Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime

Our Website - www.truecrimepodcast.com

OUAC Merchandise Store: https://my-store-db71ce.creator-spring.com - Use discount code CCUK25 for 15% off your order for a limited time!

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponACrimePodcast

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In the fall of 1984, fear took hold of San Jose, California. In just six weeks, six young women vanished or were found murdered — their lives cut short under brutal and mysterious circumstances. As residents watched the headlines mount, few could imagine the horror hiding in plain sight.

Six Weeks of Terror is a gripping true crime story that unravels the chilling timeline of Fernando Cota — a convicted rapist who slipped through the cracks and went on to terrorize a city. A routine traffic stop would crack the case wide open and lead to a horrifying discovery.

Sources:

This episode was originally produced as a Once Upon a Crime Live Show presentation in San Jose, California, in July 2019.

Sponsors:

To advertise on this podcast please email: ad-sales@libsyn.com

Or go to:

https://advertising.libsyn.com/onceuponacrime

Trova Trip: https://trovatrip.com/trip/north-america/mexico/mexico-with-esther-ludlow-mar-2026

Links:

Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime

Our Website - www.truecrimepodcast.com

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponACrimePodcast

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dennis Rader, the self-proclaimed "BTK" killer—short for "Bind, Torture, Kill"—terrified Wichita and Park City, Kansas, for nearly two decades. But behind the mask of a monstrous mastermind was a man whose crimes were riddled with laughable mistakes, sloppy execution, and a bizarre craving for attention. In this episode, we dismantle the myth of BTK as a criminal genius and reveal the truth: Dennis Rader wasn’t brilliant—he was a bungler. Tune in as we unravel the twisted, error-filled path of one of America’s most incompetent, yet still deadly, serial killers.

Sources:

Once Upon a Crime - Patreon Bonus: BTK Blunders, April 26, 2023

Confessions of a Serial Killer: The Untold Story of Dennis Rader, The BTK Killer, Katherine Ramsland, PhD, ForeEdge Books, 2016.

Sponsors:

Gabb Mobile - gabb.com/once

Spot & Tango - spotandtango.com/once

La Pure - All thriller, no filler! Upgrade your skincare routine with our all-natural Beef Tallow, made with rich, skin-loving vitamins and natural oils. Take 40% OFF today at https://lapurenaturals.com/ONCE

Cornbread Hemp - cornbreadhemp.com/ONCE

To advertise on this podcast, please email: ad-sales@libsyn.com

Or go to:

https://advertising.libsyn.com/onceuponacrime

Links:

Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime

CrimeCon UK - www.crimecon.co.uk - Use our discount code ONCEUPON for tickets

Our Website - www.truecrimepodcast.com

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponACrimePodcast

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In 1968, the quiet streets of Scotswood, England, were shattered by a chilling discovery: two young boys, just three and four years old, had been murdered—and the killer was an eleven-year-old girl. Mary Flora Bell's name would soon become synonymous with one of Britain’s most disturbing criminal cases. In this episode, we explore the harrowing details of her crimes, the trial that stunned the nation, and the deeply troubled upbringing that may have shaped a child into a killer.

Sources:

Once Upon a Crime Podcast, Season 1, Episode 7, Killer Kids: Mary Bell - https://www.truecrimepodcast.com/s1-ep7-killer-kids-chapter-2-mary-bell/

https://www.theguardian.com/uk/1968/dec/18/ukcrime.childprotection

https://allthatsinteresting.com/mary-bell

https://www.crimelibrary.org/notorious_murders/famous/bell/bell_11.html

Sponsors:

Gabb - For the best deals on safe phones and watches for your kids, teens, and tweens, go to GABB.com/once.

To advertise on this podcast, please email: ad-sales@libsyn.com

Or go to:

https://advertising.libsyn.com/onceuponacrime

Links:

www.crimecon.co.uk - Join us at CrimeCon UK - the ultimate true crime experience in the heart of London, June 7th and 8th, 2025. Use our discount code ONCEUPON for 10% off your ticket.

Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime

Our Website - www.truecrimepodcast.com

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponACrimePodcast

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In the summer of 1976, a small town in California was shaken to its core when 26 schoolchildren and their bus driver were abducted in broad daylight. The hijackers drove them to a remote rock quarry, where they were forced into a buried moving van—essentially a mass grave beneath six feet of earth. But an extraordinary act of bravery and resilience led by one victim - a 14-year-old boy - resulted in a daring escape after 36 terrifying hours underground. In this episode, we revisit the Chowchilla school bus kidnapping, uncover the twisted motives behind the ransom plot, and explore the lasting trauma carried by its survivors to this day.

Sources:

Once Upon a Crime Podcast - Season 2, Episode 84 - Last Stop: The Chowchilla School Bus Kidnapping. https://www.truecrimepodcast.com/s2-ep84-last-stop-the-chowchilla-school-bus-kidnapping/

Chowchilla, CNN Films/HBO Max Originals, 2023. https://www.hbo.com/movies/chowchilla

Sponsors:

LaPure Naturals -All thriller, no filler! Upgrade your skincare routine with our all-natural Beef Tallow, made with rich, skin-loving vitamins and natural oils. Take 40% OFF today with code 'ONCE' at http://www.lapurenaturals.com/ONCE

To advertise on this podcast please email: ad-sales@libsyn.com

Or go to:

https://advertising.libsyn.com/onceuponacrime

Links:

Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime

Our Website - www.truecrimepodcast.com

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponACrimePodcast

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.