Female Criminals

From callous killers to evil entrepreneurs, explore the psychology, motivations, and atrocities of female criminals. A Spotify Original from Parcast.

True Crime
History
Society & Culture
101
“The Free Speech Anarchist” Emma Goldman Pt. 2
Called one of the most dangerous anarchists in the country, Emma Goldman was deported back to Soviet Russia in 1919. Ostracized from her peers and the movement she helped progress, Goldman found new ways to advance anarchist causes until her death at 70.
39 min
102
“The Free Speech Anarchist” Emma Goldman Pt. 1
At the turn of the 20th century, a Russian immigrant spent decades supporting the anarchist cause in America — plotting an assassination, publishing a magazine, and lecturing on everything from freedom of speech to prison reform to birth control.
41 min
103
“Part of the Family” Pt. 2: Karen Severson and ...
In the aftermath of 17-year-old Missy Avila’s murder, a killer moved into the Avila family home, a witness stepped forward after three years, and Missy’s Law was passed in California.
45 min
104
“Part of the Family” Pt. 1: Karen Severson and ...
A revenge plot turned deadly in 1985 after two teenage girls unleashed their jealous rage on their former friend, Missy Avila.
39 min
105
"The Slender Man Stabbing" Pt. 2: Anissa Weier ...
After luring their friend Payton Leutner into the woods in May 2014, Anissa Weier and Morgan Geyser stabbed her 19 times — all in the name of Slender Man, a horror character that had materialized on the Internet.
39 min
106
"The Slender Man Stabbing" Pt. 1: Anissa Weier ...
A made-up bogeyman went viral in 2009, inspiring low-budget web series, video games and fanfiction.
40 min
107
Medical Murders Crossover: Jane Toppan Pt. 2
She became the most sought after nurse in eastern Massachusetts.
43 min
108
Medical Murders Crossover: Jane Toppan Pt. 1
She became the most sought after nurse in eastern Massachusetts.
40 min
109
"The Scandalous Screen Siren" Pt. 2: Mae West
After fighting obscenity charges for her stage plays, Mae West went to Hollywood and quickly earned a level of power unheard-of for women in movies.
38 min
110
"The Scandalous Screen Siren" Pt. 1: Mae West
When one of the most famous entertainers in America couldn’t find another good role, she wrote one for herself.
38 min
111
"The American Beauty Murder" Pt. 2: Kristin Rossum
Facing an ultimatum from her husband, 24-year-old Kristin drugged him with a lethal mix of prescription drugs, then staged his death to look like a suicide.
42 min
112
"The American Beauty Murder" Pt. 1: Kristin Rossum
After a childhood spent striving for perfection in the early '90s, a devastating ballet injury turned Kristin Rossum to drugs.
43 min
113
“The Fearsome Torso Murderess” Pt. 2: Hannah Ma...
In February 1887, a man opened a package to find a bloody torso, and police set to work following a trail of clues that led right to Hannah Mary Tabbs — but she knew exactly how to play her cards.
43 min
114
“The Fearsome Torso Murderess” Pt. 1: Hannah Ma...
In the late 19th century, Hannah Mary Tabbs used violence to control those around her, directing her cruelty toward family, acquaintances, and even her young lover, Wakefield Gaines.
35 min
115
“The Obsessive Fan” Pt. 2: Yolanda Saldívar
After an argument in a Days Inn Motel, Yolanda Saldívar shot her boss, beloved Tejana superstar Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, in the back.
38 min
116
“The Obsessive Fan” Pt. 1: Yolanda Saldívar
From the moment she saw Selena perform, loner and misfit Yolanda Saldívar was obsessed.
40 min
117
"The Killer Housewife" Pt. 2: Candy Montgomery
On the morning of Friday, June 13th, 1980, suburban housewife Candy Montgomery was confronted by the wife of her ex-lover.
44 min
118
"The Killer Housewife" Pt. 1: Candy Montgomery
Pretty, perky, and careful to always mind her manners, Candy Montgomery was married with children before realizing she wanted more.
44 min
119
"The Mercedes Killer" Pt. 2: Clara Harris
With twin sons, a sprawling mansion, and a blossoming career, Clara Harris had it all—or so she thought.
43 min
120
"The Mercedes Killer" Pt. 1: Clara Harris
After pursuing a career that launched her from Colombia to America, Clara Harris met the man who would turn her world upside down.
37 min
121
"The Hippie Skyjacker" Pt. 2: Cathy Kerkow
On June 2, 1972, 20-year old Cathy Kerkow drove to the airport with her boyfriend on a mission to hijack a plane.
41 min
122
"The Hippie Skyjacker" Pt. 1: Cathy Kerkow
Before she hijacked a plane in 1972, Cathy Kerkow was simply a young woman from Oregon with a penchant for risk and scandal.
37 min
123
“The Yoga Store Slaying” Pt. 2: Brittany Norwood
When Brittany Norwood’s Lululemon coworker was found dead on March 12, 2011, police initially thought Brittany was a victim, too—of a store robbery gone wrong.
38 min
124
“The Yoga Store Slaying” Pt. 1: Brittany Norwood
Underneath her bubbly exterior, 28-year-old Brittany Norwood lived a secret life that involved thievery, deception, and sugar daddies.
35 min
125
“The Cold Case Cover-Up” Pt. 2: Stephanie Lazarus
In February 1986, Stephanie Lazarus’ strange visits to her ex-lover’s new wife turned to deadly assault.
41 min