​In Episode 31 of Homocidal Tendency, Matt dives into the heartbreaking and brutal 1986 murders of Cathleen "Cathy" Thomas and Rebecca "Becky" Dowski.

As a same-sex couple navigating the rigid, hostile climate of the 1980s, Cathy and Becky sought refuge in the deep isolation of a Parkway lover's lane. Instead of a safe haven, they found a monster waiting in the dark.

​Their murders were the first strike in a terrifying reign of terror that became known as the Colonial Parkway Murders. 

For 40 years, the case remained one of the most infamous unsolved cold cases in Virginia history, plagued by dead ends and the hysteria of the Satanic Panic. But serial killers can't hide from modern science.

​Join us as we break down the forensic anomalies, the FBI profiler theories, and the massive 2026 genetic genealogy DNA breakthrough that finally identified the killer as Alan Wade Wilmer Sr. a local commercial fisherman who hid in plain sight.

​Follow Homocidal Tendency:

Don’t just listen to the story see the evidence. Follow us for weekly visual companions, including 1986 newspaper clippings, crime scene layouts, and retro graphics for every case.

Links for the socials

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​Support the Show:

If you want to help us keep shining a spotlight on unsolved and solved cold cases, the best way to support the show is by leaving a 5-star rating and a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. It tells the algorithms you are here, and helps our true crime community grow. Make sure to hit "Subscribe" so you never miss a drop!

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On February 10, 2015, the pristine public life of high-profile intellectual property lawyer David Messerschmitt collided with a dark, hidden reality. 

Found brutally stabbed in Room 400 of the upscale Donovan Hotel, David’s death sent shockwaves through Capitol Hill.

​In this episod  of Homocidal Tendency, we unravel one of the most chilling D.C. true crime cases of the decade. 

We break down the digital footprint that blew the case wide open from burner Gmail accounts and Grindr profiles to the fatal Craigslist "Casual Encounters" ad that set a deadly trap. 

We also explore the devastating irony of the perpetrators, Jamyra Gallmon and Dominique Johnson, and the massive digital mistake with a Washington D.C. Metro card that finally brought them down.

​A locked door keeps the world out, but it can’t protect you from what you invite inside.

Support the Show:

If you love the dark-wave vibes and deep dives, the best way to support Homocidal Tendency is to leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It helps us beat the algorithm and find new listeners.

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In the late 90s, Gary and Barbara Loesch were systematically hunted and murdered in Post Falls, Idaho, for a half-million-dollar insurance payout. But the masterminds who orchestrated this brutal conspiracy weren't strangers they were family.

​We untangle the terrifying web of Tina Loesch and Skye Hanson. 

Discover how this couple hired a hitman, staged a bizarre hot tub accident, and triggered a real-life, decade-long fugitive manhunt that ended with a desert suicide pact. 

But the darkest part of this true crime mystery isn't the murders themselves. 

It’s the chilling, unresolved disappearance of Kristopher Loesch, the 10-year-old boy they took with them, who was completely erased from existence.

​Chapter Markers

• ​Cold Open: The Erasure of a Missing Child
• ​The Post Falls Murders: The Execution of Gary Loesch
• ​The Hot Tub Hitman: Brad Steckman’s Brutal Confession
• ​The Alias: Hiding Kristopher in Plain Sight
• ​America’s Most Wanted and the Desert Dragnet
• ​The White Dodge Durango & The 8-Page Suicide Note
• ​Unsolved Mystery: What Really Happened to Kristopher?

​Case Evidence & Missing Person Info

Head over to our social media to view the original 1990s police sketches, crime scene details, and age-progressed photos of what Kristopher Loesch might look like today. 

If you recognize him, or have any information regarding his disappearance from Spokane, Washington in August 2000, please contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

​Support the Podcast

If you are addicted to dark, gritty deep-dives into the unsolved mysteries that slip through the cracks, help us keep the synth drones rolling. Hit subscribe, leave a 5-star rating, and share this episode with your fellow true crime junkies.

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​In this episode of Homocidal Tendency, Matt dives into the tragic and enraging case of Private First Class Barry Winchell. 

Stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Barry was an exemplary infantryman with dreams of flying helicopters. But his life was brutally cut short over the Independence Day weekend after rumors surfaced about his relationship with Nashville showgirl Calpernia Addams.

​We unravel the toxic culture of the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) policy, exploring how an environment of forced silence empowered a manipulative roommate, Justin Fisher, to groom an insecure teenager, Calvin Glover, into committing a devastating hate crime. 

From the horrific attack on the breezeway to the Army's immediate attempts to cover up the homophobic motive, this is a story of systemic betrayal and flawed military justice.

​In this episode, we discuss:

• ​The timeline of the July 4th weekend murder at Fort Campbell.
• ​The psychological manipulation tactics used by Justin Fisher.
• ​How the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy actively prevented soldiers from reporting abuse.
• ​The ensuing military cover-up and the activism of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN).
• ​The deeply disproportionate court-martial sentences handed down to Fisher and Glover and where they both are today.

​

​If you are traveling or just need more true crime to get you through the holiday weekend, the feed is fully stocked. Go back and binge the first 27 episodes while I’m away!

​Support the Show:

If you enjoyed this deep dive, please take a second to rate and review Homocidal Tendency on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. It is the single best way to help new listeners find the show.

​Follow us in the dark:

Keep your head on a swivel and follow the podcast on Instagram and Bluesky for visual deep-dives, episode updates, and behind-the-scenes content.

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​At the height of the Cold War and the Lavender Scare, a single local incident in Boise, Idaho, was weaponized by police, politicians, and the Idaho Statesman newspaper into a massive, city-wide witch hunt. 

We explore how a community turned against its own citizens utilizing off-the-books interrogation rooms, FBI agents, and the threat of life in prison to purge the city's LGBTQ+ community. We also delve into the dark reality of how Boise’s wealthy elite were quietly shielded while working-class men were publicly ruined and handed draconian prison sentences.

​This is a ghost story of institutional corruption, a terrifying look at how media hysteria shapes the law, and a stark reminder of the history that echoes into our current political climate.

​Episode Highlights

• ​The Lavender Scare: How Cold War paranoia set the stage for the government to conflate homosexuality with national security threats.
• ​The Dragnet Begins: The hiring of an anti-communist private investigator to run off-site interrogations and coerce confessions from closeted citizens.
• ​Trial by Typewriter: How the Idaho Statesman newspaper bypassed the justice system to publicly ruin the accused on their front pages.
• ​The Midnight Exodus: The terrifying reality for the dozens of men who fled Idaho in the middle of the night to escape the witch hunt.
• ​Two Tiers of Justice: How Boise's elite escaped the dragnet by checking into private sanitariums while working-class men like Ralph Cooper were sentenced to life in the state penitentiary.
• ​The 10-Year Silence: Why the investigation suddenly collapsed, and how the city of Boise buried the trauma until journalist John Gerassi forced a reckoning.

​Sources & Further Reading

• ​The Boys of Boise: Furor, Vice and Folly in an American City by John Gerassi (The definitive 1966 investigative book that broke the city's silence).
• ​The Fall of '55 (2006 Documentary directed by Seth Randal).
• ​"Idaho Underworld," Time Magazine (December 12, 1955).
• ​The Lavender Scare: The Cold War Persecution of Gays and Lesbians in the Federal Government by David K. Johnson.

​Support the Show

• ​Binge the Back Catalog: New here? Episodes 1 through 26 are available right now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and everywhere you listen.
• ​Leave a Review: If you enjoyed this historical true crime deep dive, please take 30 seconds to leave us a 5-star rating and written review. It is the number one way to help the podcast grow.
• ​Follow for Visuals: See the historical photos, the Idaho Statesman newspaper clippings, and the Old Idaho State Penitentiary on our Instagram @HomocidalTendency

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​In Episode 26 of Homocidal Tendency, we strip away the sensationalism to examine the chilling death of Kathleen Peterson and the ensuing trial of her husband, Michael Peterson. Known globally as "The Staircase" case, this investigation remains one of the most polarizing mysteries in modern true crime history.

​How does a victim sustain seven massive scalp lacerations without a single skull fracture or defensive wound? 

We break down the forensic anomalies, the prosecution's weaponization of moral panic, and the devastating impact of fraudulent blood-spatter testimony by SBI agent Duane Deaver.

 Finally, we explore the infamous "Owl Theory" a heavily debated, yet forensically consistent alternative that changes the entire landscape of the crime scene.

​Key Topics Covered In This Episode:

• ​The Autopsy Paradox: Examining Kathleen Peterson’s baffling injuries and the medical anomalies that contradict standard blunt-force murder theories.
• ​The Two-Hour Void: Analyzing the "red neuron" evidence that indicates Kathleen lay dying for 45 to 120 minutes before 911 was called.
• ​Forensic Corruption: The devastating role of SBI Agent Duane Deaver and his fabricated blood-spatter testimony that corrupted the initial 2003 conviction.
• ​The Germany Connection: The eerie similarities to the 1985 staircase death of Elizabeth Ratliff.
• ​Weaponizing Morality: How ADA Freda Black and the prosecution used homophobia and Michael Peterson’s private life to bias the jury.
• ​The Owl Theory: T. Lawrence Pollard’s controversial hypothesis involving a Barred Owl attack, microscopic feathers, and cedar needles found at the scene.
• ​The Alford Plea: Understanding the legal maneuver that finally secured Michael Peterson’s release in 2017.

​Binge The Archive

​New to the podcast? It is the perfect time to catch up. Dive into the backlog and stream all 25 previous episodes of Homocidal Tendency available right now on your favorite podcast app.

​Follow & Support

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• ​Socials: Join the true-crime community and follow along for case updates, visual evidence, and retro-noir podcast art.
• ​Subscribe: Don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe so you don't miss our return from the midseason break!

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In this special, fast-paced bonus episode of Homocidal Tendency, we plunge into a chilling 1972 cold case that permanently altered the course of history in Australia.

​The drowning of Dr. George Duncan in Adelaide's River Torrens wasn't merely a tragic loss of life; it exposed a terrifying reality of systemic police corruption and violence directed at the LGBTQ+ community. 

When the local Vice Squad treats hunting marginalized men as a sport, and the people sworn to protect the public are the ones lurking in the shadows, who do you call for help? 

​In This Episode, We Discuss:

• ​The Hunting Ground: The oppressive, dangerous atmosphere of Adelaide in 1972 and the hidden "beats" along the River Torrens.
• ​The Target: The quiet life and hidden medical vulnerabilities of Dr. George Duncan, a brilliant 41-year-old law professor who could not swim.
• ​The Attack: The brazen events of May 10th, the Vice Squad's horrific "game," and the miraculous survival of Roger James.
• ​The Cover-Up: The staggering "Blue Wall of Silence" that protected the killers and ultimately thwarted detectives from New Scotland Yard.
• ​The Catalyst: How the sheer public outrage over an unsolved murder ignited a revolution, making South Australia the first state to fully decriminalize homosexuality in 1975.

Stay Connected:

Make sure you are subscribed so you don't miss the premiere of Episode 26 when we return from our mid-season break!

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​Between 1975 and 1977, the dark waters of the Hudson River surrendered a terrifying secret. Six unidentified victims were discovered along the Greenwich Village waterfront. But how does a serial killer dismantle six victims in the heart of Manhattan without leaving a trace? And why did the authorities completely look the other way?

​Today, we are stripping away the Hollywood urban legends to examine the cold, historical facts, the dangerous geography of the underground club scene, and the institutional apathy that allowed a monster to hunt in the shadows.

​Episode Highlights:

• ​The Geography of Risk: Exploring the underground nightlife of 1970s Greenwich Village and the dangerous isolation of the abandoned Hudson River piers.
• ​Institutional Apathy: How the NYPD's hostility toward the LGBTQ+ community created a massive blind spot that serial killers exploited.
• ​The M.O. and The Clues: Breaking down the terrifying forensic profile of the killer and the custom leather clothing that served as the investigation's only lead.
• ​Theories and Suspects: Was it an organized Mafia hit? A hunting ground for multiple predators? Or the early, undiscovered work of the infamous "Last Call Killer," Richard Rogers?
• ​The Paul Bateson Connection: Unpacking the arrest of the X-ray technician, the unverified jailhouse confession, and the Hollywood trivia connecting the case to The Exorcist and Cruising.

​Housekeeping & Announcements:

This episode marks the Homocidal Tendency midseason finale! The show will be taking a short 1-2 week break to recharge and research for the second half of the season. Keep an eye on your feed, because a special bonus mini-episode will drop during the hiatus.

​If you are a new listener, there are 24 other binge-worthy episodes of the season waiting for you right now!

​Support the Show:

• ​Rate & Review: Please take a second to rate, review, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. It is the best way to help other true crime fans find the show!
• ​Visual Aids: Follow us on social media to see all the archival photography for this case, including the rotting piers, the Village clubs, and Arthur Bell's original Village Voice reporting.

https://linktr.ee/HomocidalTendency

​Stay safe, keep your doors locked, and thank you for riding out the first half of the season. From Matt, Benson, and Toulouse thanks for listening!

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This week on Homocidal Tendency, we step off the dance floor of Le Palace and into the quiet, winding stone stairwells of the 18th arrondissement to track one of the most anomalous and terrifying true crime cases in modern French history.

​We break down the lethal folie à deux of Thierry Paulin and Jean-Thierry Mathurin a toxic partnership fueled by extreme narcissism, heavy cocaine addiction, and an insatiable lust for social status. We explore how they weaponized Parisian architecture, bypassed criminal profiling, and ultimately funded their glamorous nightlife by brutally terrorizing the city's most vulnerable demographic: elderly women living alone.

​This isn't a story of a brilliant mastermind. It's the story of a shallow illusion, a devastating police blindspot, and a final, infuriating cheat of the justice system.

​In This Episode We Cover:

• ​The socio-economic clash of 1980s Paris and the underground club scene.
• ​The psychological anatomy of Paulin and Mathurin's predator/prey partnership.
• ​The "Urban Architecture Trap" and how the killers bypassed the Digicode systems.
• ​The massive investigation failures and the miraculous survivor who cracked the case.
• ​The chillingly anti-climactic arrest and Paulin's final escape from justice.

​In Memoriam: Honoring the Victims

​True crime too often remembers the names of the monsters while forgetting the people they took from us. Thierry Paulin viewed these women as nothing more than walking vaults to fund his luxury lifestyle, but they were mothers, grandmothers, and lifelong Parisians whose lives mattered. We honor the known, documented victims of the 1984–1987 Montmartre attacks:

• ​Germaine Petitot (91) – Survived
• ​Anna Barbier-Ponthus (83)
• ​Suzanne Foucault (89)
• ​Ioana Sechero (71)
• ​Alice Cadot (84)
• ​Marie Chiffard (86)
• ​Jeanne Vautrin (83)
• ​Jeanne Estournel (82)
• ​Paule Vuillemin (79)
• ​Estella Foucher (89)
• ​Rachel Cohen (79)
• ​Berthe Finalteri (87) – Survived
• ​Geneviève Pinard (90)

​And to the women whose names remain sealed in the French courts or whose cases were never officially closed: you are not forgotten.

​A Quick Apology from Matt 🇫🇷

​Bonjour, je m'appelle Matt et je suis désolé. To all of my beautiful French and Francophone listeners.  Please accept apologies for my tragic, heavily Americanized pronunciation of your historic streets, designers, and legendary nightclubs. I promise I practiced, but my tongue got in the way.

​Connect with Homocidal Tendency

​If this case got under your skin, head over to our social media! We are posting the composite sketches, photos of Paulin from his club days, and the stark visual contrast of the 80s Parisian architecture we discussed today.

• ​Instagram: [@HomocidalTendency]
• ​Bluesky: [@HomocidalTendency]

https://linktr.ee/HomocidalTendency

​Love the show? Don't forget to hit subscribe, leave a 5-star rating, and share this episode with your fellow true crime addicts! Want more right now? All 23 previous episodes are fully binge-worthy and waiting in your feed.

​Stay safe out there, and keep an eye on who's standing on your doorstep.

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But beneath the snow, a predator is hunting. In this episode, we deep dive into the case of Michel Peiry, the charismatic, well-dressed soldier known as "The Sadist of Romont," who weaponized Swiss society's trust and indifference to target an entire generation of marginalized young men.

We explore the complex psychology of a killer, the incredible survival story of a 16-year-old victim, and the systemic failure that allowed Peiry to claim up to eleven victims across multiple European borders. This is true crime through a cold, atmospheric, and distinctly different lens.

​In This Episode:

​** Cold Open**

Matt sets the 1980s horror scene, high in the Swiss Alps, contrasting the picturesque landscape with the terrifying reality of a hitchhiker stepping into a killer’s trap.

​** Introduction & Housekeeping**

Welcome back to Homocidal Tendency. Matt gives some quick updates and a shout-out to all the new listeners binging the backlog.

​** The Thumb and the Void: Hitchhiking in 1980s Europe**

A deep cultural search into the accepted (and now lost) culture of Swiss "ride-sharing" and the societal trust that created the perfect hunting ground.

​** Postcards from the Void: The Geography of a Killer**

A look at how Switzerland’s dramatic mountain passes and isolated rural regions provided both physical camouflage and logistical protection for Peiry’s crimes.

​** Shadows in the Snow: The Queer Reality of 1980s Switzerland**

Matt breaks down the legal and social climate of 1980s Switzerland, exploring the discriminatory age of consent laws and the impact of the AIDS crisis on the isolated, underground LGBTQ+ community.

​** The Mask of Normality: Michel Peiry’s Origins**

A deep search into Peiry’s early years, analyzing the complex collision of an abusive home life, intense social repression, and a twisted sexual awakening that created a calculating monster.

​** The Anatomy of Control: The M.O.**

Matt goes into detailed analysis of Peiry’s method, from the initial "lure" and manipulative connection to the horrific transition of control and the specific, sadistic rituals he used to torture and murder his victims.

​** The Ghosts of Europe: The Victims and the Missing Men**

Honoring the confirmed and suspected victims:

• ​Sylvestre (United States, 1981) - Missing
• ​Frédéric (France, 1984) - Victim
• ​Fabio (Switzerland, 1986) - Victim
• ​Cédric (Switzerland, 1986) - Victim
• ​Silvio (Yugoslavia, 1986) - Confessed/Missing
• ​Vincent (Switzerland, 1987) - Victim
• ​Yves Ath (Switzerland, 1986) - Survivor

​We also explore the potential links to the famous, unsolved "Mourmelon disappearances" in France.

​** The Silence of the Sirens: Systemic Indifference**

Matt breaks down the concept of the "less dead" and details how police homophobia, bureaucratic indifference, and societal erasure enabled a serial killer to operate in plain sight for six years.

​** The Botched Attack: A Survivor’s Victory**

The incredible, minute-by-minute story of 16-year-old Thomas, who was beaten and handcuffed before being thrown into a freezing river by Peiry. We follow his harrowing trek for survival that would ultimately lead to the killer's downfall.

​** The Takedown: Hiding in plain sight**

A deep dive into the manhunt and the shocking, almost surreal arrest of Michel Peiry—while he was in uniform, performing compulsory service at a Swiss military base in the Canton of Bern.

​** The Interrogation and Conviction**

The sterile chill of the Interrogation room. We cover Peiry’s cold, detached confessions, the psychological games he played, and the maximum-security prison (Bellechasse in Fribourg) where he is serving his life sentence today.

​** Conclusion: The Forgotten Monster**

Final thoughts on the case. We analyze why Peiry is not widely known internationally and the tragic lesson he leaves behind: that the greatest terror isn't the monster in the woods, but a society that refuses to look closer at the people who disappear.

​Connect with Homocidal Tendency:

• ​Instagram: Follow @HomocidalTendency for detailed episode visuals, maps, and archival photos from this case.
• ​BlueSky: We are on @Homocidaltendency for live updates and discussion on our upcoming episodes.
• ​TikTok: Check out @HomocidalTendency for mini-deep dives and atmospheric teasers.
• ​Listen Backlog: All 22 previous episodes, from the Bayou Strangler to current tales, are available for you to binge right now.

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​In the mid-1990s, the underground clubs of Hillbrow, Johannesburg, served as a rare sanctuary for the LGBTQ+ community. 

But for Samuel Jacques Coetzee and John Frank Brown, that vibrant sanctuary was a hunting ground.

​This week on Homocidal Tendency, Matt breaks down a deeply unsettling case of folie à deux a shared psychosis fueled by jealousy, control, and a thirst for blood. 

We explore how Coetzee used his glamorous drag persona as the ultimate predatory camouflage, exploiting the very community that offered him a safe space. 

From the terrifying "Ghost Period" where the killers hid in plain sight, to the frustrating legal loophole that denied families total justice, this episode explores the devastating vulnerability that comes with marginalization.

​The scariest call is the one coming from inside the house.

A Brief Note on Terminology:

Throughout this episode, we refer to the historical moniker attached to this case: "The Cross-Dressing Killers." We recognize that in 2026, this term is outdated and can be offensive. We are using it strictly for historical accuracy and case identification, as it remains the primary way this tragically underreported story is documented in legal and public records.

​In this episode, we discuss:

• ​The 90s Hillbrow queer underground scene and the importance of safe spaces.
• ​The psychology of folie à deux and toxic, enmeshed relationships.
• ​How a drag persona was weaponized as a "Trojan Horse" to lure victims.
• ​The historical erasure of marginalized victims in police reporting.
• ​The dramatic takedown, a jailhouse confession, and a killer's ultimate cowardly exit.

​In Memoriam:

This episode is dedicated to the victims whose lives were stolen during this tragic spree: Chris Anderson, the unidentified 30-year-old man, the unidentified 15-year-old boy, Avhewngi Robert Bele, and Richter. You are not forgotten.

​⚠️ Content Warning:

This episode contains detailed discussions of graphic violence, domestic abuse dynamics, homophobia, and suicide. Listener discretion is strongly advised.

​Support the Show:

• ​Binge the Archive: New to the podcast? Catch up on our first 21 episodes wherever you get your podcasts!
• ​Follow Us: Stay updated on the latest cases and behind-the-scenes content on Instagram and Twitter at @HomocidalTendency.
• ​Rate & Review: If you enjoyed this deep dive, please leave us a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It helps us bring these stories out of the dark.

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This week, we travel back to the gritty, neon-lit streets of early 90s New York City to explore the desperate, brilliant, and entirely analog crimes of Lee Israel.

​Once a New York Times best-selling biographer, Lee found herself blacklisted, broke, and backed into a corner with a sick cat and no way to pay the bills. 

Her solution? A vintage typewriter, stolen archival paper, and one of the most prolific literary cons in modern history. 

Grab a drink, lock your doors, and join Matt for a bizarre tale of pure, unapologetic deception.

​In This Episode We Cover:

• ​A Palate Cleanser: Shifting gears after the heavy darkness of the Hog Trail Murders.
• ​The Making of a Misanthrope: Lee Israel’s early days navigating mid-century New York.
• ​Best Sellers and Bitter Ends: The Estée Lauder disaster and Lee's total fall from grace.
• ​The Mechanics of the Hustle: How a broken TV, tracing paper, and vintage typewriters built a black-market empire.
• ​Hubris and the Tell-Tale Typewriter: The fatal mistake of punching up Noël Coward's private life.
• ​Enter Jack Hock: Archival heists, dive bars, and fencing stolen history.
• ​The Sting & The Aftermath: The FBI closes in, and the ultimate, twisted irony of Can You Ever Forgive Me?

​Support the Show:

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• ​Binge the Backlog: Need more? There are 20 heavy, binge-worthy episodes of Homocidal Tendency available to stream right now!
• ​Rate & Review: If you're surviving the ride so far, please take thirty seconds to subscribe and leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It’s the best way to help other true crime and horror fans find the show.
• ​Join the Community: Follow the podcast on social media for episode cards, behind-the-scenes research, and vintage photos from the cases we cover.

​About the Host:

When Matt isn't deep diving into the dark underbelly of historical true crime, you can usually find him exploring abandoned buildings or behind the lens. Check out his urban exploration and visual work over at Matthew David Photography.

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​In this special bonus companion episode of Homocidal Tendency, we return to the lethal Florida scrub to uncover the mass graveyard they missed. 

We break down the horrifying realization that Daniel Conahan didn't just abandon Fort Myers for the Hog Trails—he was managing two separate boneyards at the exact same time. We discuss the painstaking forensic work that gave four of these men their names back decades later, and the ongoing fight to identify the ghosts that are still waiting in the dark.

​⚠️ Listener Warning: This is a direct continuation of our deep dive into Daniel Conahan. If you have not yet listened to Episode 20: The Hog Trail Murders, we highly recommend pausing this track and playing that one first to understand the killer's M.O. and the tragic demographic he preyed upon.

​🎙️ In This Episode:

• ​The Excavation: The multi-day search that turned a routine call into the discovery of a serial killer's private graveyard.
• ​The Overlapping Timeline: How the bones completely rewrote the history of the Hog Trail Monster, proving he was commuting between slaughterhouses.
• ​Reclaiming the Names: The modern genetic genealogy breakthroughs that finally identified Eric Kohler, John Blevins, Jonathan Tihay, and Bobbie Soden.
• ​The Remaining Four: The systemic blind spots that allowed these marginalized men to vanish, and the cutting-edge forensic efforts to identify Victims A, B, F, and G.

​🩸 Support the Podcast & Help Identify the Fort Myers 8:

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• ​View the Reconstructions: Head immediately to our Instagram and TikTok at @HomocidalTendency. We have posted the official 3D facial reconstructions for the four remaining John Does pulled from Arcadia Street. Look at their faces, share the post, and help us get these men their names back.
• ​Join the crew : If you appreciate these deep dives into true crime and the marginalized victims society left behind, hit that subscribe button.
• ​Rate & Review: Please take thirty seconds to drop a 5-star rating and a quick written review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It is the best way to help the algorithm push the show to other weirdos like us.

​Until next time, stay out of the woods.

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​In this episode of Homocidal Tendency, we delve into the deeply disturbing crimes of Daniel Conahan, the man who turned the Charlotte County woods into his own personal slaughterhouse. We break down his chilling Modus Operandi, the agonizingly slow forensic fight to identify his victims, and the catastrophic systemic failure that allowed him to keep hunting even after a survivor miraculously escaped and handed the police the blueprint to his operation.

​This isn't just a story about a sadistic killer. It's a heavy look at how society's indifference toward "The Less Dead" provides the perfect cover for monsters to operate in plain sight.

​🎙️ In This Episode:

• ​The Lure & The Trap: How a soft-spoken nurse weaponized the desperate circumstances of transient men.
• ​The Discoveries: The grim reality of searching the brutal Florida terrain and the decades-long wait for victims to get their names back.
• ​The Survivor: Stanley Burden's harrowing 1994 escape and the enraging reason his police report gathered dust in a filing cabinet for two years.
• ​The Capture: The microscopic piece of evidence that finally brought the hammer down on Daniel Conahan.
• ​The Aftermath: The legal math that left the families of several victims without their day in court.

​🩸 Support the Podcast

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• ​Follow Us on Social Media: Head over to @HomocidalTendency on Instagram and TikTok. We will be posting visual aids for this case, including the geography of the Hog Trails and the critical 3D facial reconstructions for the remaining unidentified Fort Myers victims we will be covering in the bonus episode. Look at their faces and share the posts—help us get these men their names back.
• ​Rate & Review: If you love our deep dives into the intersection of true crime and horror, please take thirty seconds to drop a 5-star rating and a written review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It is the absolute best way to help the algorithm push the show to other weirdos like us.

​Until next time... stay out of the woods.

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For thousands of marginalized queer youth, trans women, and outcasts pushed to the fringes of the city, the rotting timber and pitch-black labyrinths of Piers 45, 46, and 50 offered a vital sanctuary. 

It was the cradle of the underground ballroom scene and a place of unapologetic freedom.

​But the dark hides everyone equally.

​In this episode of Homocidal Tendency, we step off the cobblestones of West Street and into the shadows to explore how the ultimate haven became a hunting ground. 

We unpack the deeply atmospheric and terrifying history of an era where unchecked predators, roving gangs, and police apathy turned the waterfront into a literal trap, and how the city eventually paved over the history of the people who fought to survive there.

​In this episode, we cover:

• ​The Concrete Labyrinth: The imposing architecture, isolation, and daily dangers of living on the rotting wood of the West Village piers.
• ​The Cruising Scene: How the mechanics of the post-Stonewall underground nightlife inadvertently created the perfect camouflage for serial killers.
• ​The Bag Murders (CUPPI): The chilling 1970s string of dismembered victims found in the Hudson River, the connection to The Exorcist extra Paul Bateson, and the permanent shadow of dread left behind.
• ​The Ramrod Massacre: The horrific November 1980 mass shooting carried out by Ronald Crumpley that proved the perimeter of the waterfront was just as deadly as the dark.
• ​The Loss of a Legend: The tragic 1992 death of LGBTQ+ icon and waterfront protector Marsha P. Johnson, the highly contested police ruling, and the massive community uprising that followed.
• ​Erasure: The city’s decision to bulldoze the crime scenes for luxury real estate and the ghosts still lingering beneath Hudson River Park.

​Resources & Visuals:

To truly understand the monolithic scale and raw atmosphere of the waterfront, you have to see it. Head over to our social media to view the incredible, gritty photography of the era, including works by artists like Alvin Baltrop.

• ​Instagram, TikTok & BlueSky: Search for Homocidal Tendency (remember, that’s Homocidal with an 'O') and hit that follow button for behind-the-scenes updates and historical episode graphics.

https://linktr.ee/HomocidalTendency

​Support the Show:

If you appreciate these deep dives into the underreported, atmospheric corners of true crime, please take a second to subscribe, rate, and leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. It is the absolute best way to help the show grow and bring these forgotten stories to light.

​Stay out of the dark.

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​This week on Homocidal Tendency, we are traveling back to the 1980s to unpack one of the most infuriating and heartbreaking cases of the decade. We explore the life of Cam Lyman, a transgender millionaire who built an isolated fortress to protect himself from a hostile society, only to be betrayed by the one person he let inside the gates.

​From the forged letters and the missing briefcase of uninsured jewels to the grim discovery inside a 500-pound septic tank a decade later, we break down the timeline, the staggering legal loopholes, and the ultimate erasure of Cam’s identity in death.

​In This Episode, We Cover:

• ​The Fortress: Cam’s intense isolation, his championship dog-breeding operation, and the terrifying realities of navigating trans healthcare in the 1980s.
• ​The Caretaker: Enter George O'Neil—the trusted proxy who took over the estate and spun an elaborate, decade-long alibi.
• ​The Missing Millions: The forensic accounting nightmare that revealed just how much of the Lyman fortune evaporated.
• ​The Gruesome Discovery: The 1997 unearthing of the hopkinton estate's darkest secret.
• ​The Aftermath: The devastating legal conclusion and why Cam’s family ultimately buried him under his deadname.

​Connect with the Show:

Did O'Neil act alone in moving that massive concrete lid, or is someone else still out there harboring a 40-year-old secret? Let me know your theories!

• ​Instagram: @HomocidalTendency
• ​TikTok: @HomocidalTendency
• ​BlueSky: @HomocidalTendency

https://linktr.ee/HomocidalTendency

​Support the Podcast:

If you are loving the deep dives, please take a second to leave us a 5-star rating and a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it truly helps us keep bringing these stories to light.

​New to the podcast? Lock your doors and catch up on our first 17 binge-worthy episodes, available right now!

​Stay safe, watch who you trust, and remember... the most dangerous monsters are usually the ones we invite inside.

Send us Fan Mail

​Episode Description:

In the grip of the Great Depression, the soot-choked city of Cleveland was brought to its knees by a phantom. Between 1935 and 1938, a brilliant, meticulous monster turned the shantytowns of Kingsbury Run and the illicit vice district of the "Roaring Third" into his own personal slaughterhouse.

​This week on Homocidal Tendency, we descend into the shadows of the Rust Belt to hunt the Mad Butcher. We explore the gruesome, surgical signature of the killer, the escalating cat-and-mouse game that ultimately broke legendary lawman Eliot Ness, and the chilling parallels to the Black Dahlia.

​But more importantly, we look at who the Butcher chose to dismantle. This killer weaponized the prejudices of 1930s society, specifically targeting the invisible and the unprotected transients, sex workers, and members of the underground queer community. We take a deep dive into the tragic story of Victim Number One, Edward Andrassy, and how the brutal homophobia of the era provided the perfect cover for a monster hiding in plain sight.

​In Memoriam:

We dedicate this episode to the victims who were marginalized in life and violently erased in death. To Edward Andrassy, Florence Polillo, Rose Wallace, and the nine unidentified John and Jane Does forever trapped in the archives. You are not forgotten.

Join the Investigation:

To see the unredacted evidence files, death masks, and historical maps of Kingsbury Run discussed in today's episode, follow us on social media:

• ​Instagram: @[HomocidalTendency]
• ​Twitter/X: @[homocidalpod]
• ​Bluesky: @[HomocidalTendency]

​Support the Show:

If you survived the shadows this week, please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It is the best way to help other true crime fans find the show!

​https://linktr.ee/HomocidalTendency

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But on the freezing night of June 9th, 1979, the fake monsters inside Sydney’s Luna Park Ghost Train were replaced by a very real, lethal threat.

​This week on Homocidal Tendency, we head to the neon-lit, gritty waterfront of 1970s Sydney, Australia, to uncover a mass-casualty event that was quickly swept under the rug by a deeply corrupt police force. 

We discuss how a beloved amusement park became a death trap, and how the tragedy leads directly back to Abe Saffron an untouchable mafia kingpin who built his underworld empire by exploiting and weaponizing the city's marginalized queer community.

​Sometimes, the real monsters don't live in the haunted house. Sometimes, they own the deed to the property.

Sources & Further Deep Dives:

• ​Documentary: Exposed: The Ghost Train Fire (Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 2021). A groundbreaking investigative series that blew the lid off the police cover-up.
• ​News Report: Claims Sydney underworld figure Abe Saffron orchestrated Luna Park Ghost Train Fire (ABC News).
• ​Documentary: King of the Cross: Abe Saffron - For a closer look at the sheer scale of the corruption and the empire Saffron built in Kings Cross.

​Support the Podcast:

If you enjoyed this deep dive, please take a second to hit that follow button and leave us a rating! It is the absolute best way to support the show and help us bring these forgotten stories out of the shadows.

​Follow Us on Social Media:

Head over to our Instagram and TikTok for all the visual evidence for this episode, including archival photos of 1970s Luna Park, the crime scene, and the neon-soaked streets of Kings Cross.

https://linktr.ee/HomocidalTendency

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​Episode Summary:

The monsters aren’t always wearing masks in the woods. Sometimes, they are waiting in the exact spaces the rest of the world decided to ignore.

​In the mid-1980s, Atlanta was aggressively branding itself as the gleaming capital of the "New South." But just blocks away from the shining new skyscrapers, a perfect storm of systemic racism, deep-seated homophobia, and the terrifying peak of the AIDS panic was pushing the city's most vulnerable citizens into the shadows.

​This week, Matt takes a deep dive into the chilling case of Michael Devern Terry. 

Operating with complete impunity for almost a year, Terry weaponized the decaying urban architecture of Atlanta and the apathy of the police to hunt down marginalized, Black, queer men. 

We break down Terry's escalating criminal past, the grim daily reality of "the stroll," the psychological horror of internalized homophobia, and the arrogant mistake that finally brought his reign of terror to an end.

​Episode Breakdown:

• ​The Anatomy of Escalation: Tracing Terry's early criminal record and how he rehearsed for murder.
• ​The Two Atlantas: Exploring the stark contrast between the booming "New South" and the city's decaying, abandoned blind spots.
• ​The Stroll & Survival: The harsh reality and extreme dangers of sex work in 1980s Atlanta.
• ​The Timeline of the Forgotten: Tracking the tragic, year-long spree and the specific Modus Operandi that exploited society's apathy.
• ​The Mirror and The Rage: A behavioral analysis of the killer's intense internalized homophobia and how it manifested at the crime scenes.
• ​The Kennesaw Avenue Mistake: The arrogant blunder that led to Terry's arrest, his absurd interrogation room lies, and the chaotic trial that followed.

​In Memoriam:

We tell these stories not to glorify the killers, but to make sure the victims are finally seen in the light. In this episode, we remember the six men who deserved better from their city:

• ​Richard Williams (24)
• ​Curtis Lee Brown (21)
• ​Alvin George (31)
• ​Jason B. McColley (18)
• ​George Willingham (30)
• ​Daryl O. Williams (20)

​Listen & Subscribe:

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

​Homocidal Tendency: A True Crime Podcast 

AND Follow us on the socials 

https://linktr.ee/HomocidalTendency

Stay safe out there, and we'll see you in the shadows.

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​This week on Homocidal Tendency, we are stepping out of the shadows of Beijing and into one of the most bizarre, devastating, and theatrical true crime cases of the 20th century. In 1964, a lonely French diplomat named Bernard Boursicot fell in love with a beautiful, mysterious Beijing Opera singer named Shi Pei Pu. What followed was a 20-year web of international espionage, stolen classified documents, and a lie so absolute it eventually broke a man’s mind.

​How do you share a life, a bed, and a child with someone for two decades without seeing the truth? We break down the Cold War paranoia, the crushing weight of internalized homophobia, and the brutal interrogation room reveal that brought the ultimate illusion crashing down.

​Further Watching & Reading:

• ​The Play: M. Butterfly by David Henry Hwang (1988 Tony Award Winner for Best Play). A brilliant theatrical subversion of the case.
• ​The Movie: M. Butterfly (1993). Directed by the legendary master of psychological and body horror, David Cronenberg, and starring Jeremy Irons.

​Support the Show:

If you enjoyed stepping into the dark with us this week, please hit that follow button and leave a 5-star rating and review! It is the absolute best way to help the podcast grow.

• ​Follow us on Instagram/Threads/X: @HomocidalTendency

https://linktr.ee/HomocidalTendency

• ​Join the conversation: Did Bernard really not know for twenty years, or did he just refuse to see what was right in front of him? Let us know in the comments

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 This week, we are unlocking the doors of 1 Spadina Crescent a massive, 19th-century gothic fortress with a dark history to explore one of Toronto’s most baffling unsolved cold cases.

​In January 2001, beloved Fine Arts professor and brilliant queer artist David Buller was found slaughtered inside his secluded studio office. With zero DNA left behind, a missing murder weapon, and an eerie silence surrounding the attack, investigators were left with a locked-room mystery that continues to haunt the campus 25 years later. 

We explore the cutthroat world of academia, the chilling foreshadowing found in David's final 1980s and 90s-inspired artwork, and the spatial anomalies of a building that practically helped a killer escape.

Key Takeaways & Visuals

• ​The Crime Scene: The twisting, labyrinth-like layout of 1 Spadina Crescent played a massive role in the killer's ability to escape unseen. Be sure to check our social media for the conceptual floor plan discussed in today's episode.
• ​The Artwork: We highly encourage you to seek out David Buller's incredible portfolio, specifically noting the dark transition his pieces took in his final years.

https://ccca.art/creator/98/

• ​The Village Connection: A chilling look back at how the Church and Wellesley Gay Village, intended as a safe haven, was navigated by predators long before the reign of Bruce McArthur.

​Resources & Links

• ​Visual Deep Dive: Watch the To Catch a Killer documentary episode featuring spatial analysis of the crime scene and expert breakdowns of David's final paintings: Watch Here
• ​Follow the Show: See the crime scene floor plans, teaser images, and episode updates over on our Bluesky and Instagram pages at @HomocidalTendency.

https://linktr.ee/HomocidalTendency

​Call to Action: Do You Have the Missing Piece?

​The $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of David Buller's killer remains unclaimed. If you were a student or faculty member at the U of T Fine Arts department in the winter of 2001, a memory you brushed off 25 years ago might be the key to breaking this case wide open.

• ​Contact the Toronto Police Service Homicide Unit: 416-808-7400
• ​Leave an Anonymous Tip via Crime Stoppers: 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.222tips.com.

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​For over 40 years, Maudsley has lived inside a custom-built, bulletproof glass cage. The British tabloids branded him "Hannibal the Cannibal" and "The Brain Eater," painting him as a boogeyman so lethal he couldn't be housed with other human beings. But the truth is far more complicated, and deeply rooted in the marginalized, vulnerable queer underground of 1970s London.

​From the grim streets of Piccadilly Circus to a horrific nine-hour barricade inside the gothic walls of Broadmoor Hospital, we are tracking the violent escalation of a severely traumatized young man who the system refused to help. Was his brutal, vigilante-style murder spree against child abusers a calculated act of evil, or the inevitable explosion of a broken system?

​Step into the Monster Mansion, and don't trust the shadows.

​Case Resources & Mentions:

• ​HMP Wakefield (The Monster Mansion)
• ​Broadmoor High-Security Psychiatric Hospital
• ​The "Cyanide or Cockatoo" Petition Letters (2000)
• ​Red Dragon & The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris (Timeline debunking)

​Support the Show:

If you enjoyed our deep dive into the darkness this week, please leave us a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! It is the best way to help other horror and true crime fans find the show.

• ​Join the Conversation: Head over to our Instagram and X (Twitter) @HomocidalTendency to see the actual blueprint of Maudsley's glass cell and let us know where you stand on the vigilante debate.

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They were quiet, submissive, and kept the Lancelin household running with terrifying perfection. 

But behind the walls of No. 6 Rue Bruyère, the silence was deafening, and a deadly psychological pressure cooker was whistling.

​On a rainy night in February 1933, a simple blown fuse triggered one of the most gruesome and infamous crimes in French history. What happened on that dark staircase wasn't just a murder; it was an obliteration.

​This week, we are tearing down the walls of the Papin sisters' attic fortress.

 We’ll explore the childhood trauma that bonded them, the suffocating class divide that isolated them, and the psychological phenomenon of folie à deux that turned two terrified maids into the monsters of French nightmares.

​In this episode, we discuss:

• ​The "Two Mothers" theory and escaping childhood abuse.
• ​The psychological torture of Madame Lancelin's "White Glove" inspections.
• ​A minute-by-minute breakdown of the 30-minute massacre.
• ​The courtroom battle: Were they insane, or just evil?
• ​The tragic aftermath and the severance of "The Couple."

​Connect with the Show:

• ​Instagram & Bluesky: @HomocidalTendency
• ​View the crime scene and evidence photos:

https://linktr.ee/HomocidalTendency

​If this story kept you up at night, please hit that Follow button and leave a 5-star rating and review. It helps the podcast grow and helps other true crime fans find us! Keep your doors locked, and for god's sake... check your iron.

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​In this episode, Matt deep dives into the twisted life and crimes of Father Hans Schmidt—the only Catholic priest ever executed in the United States. From his blood-soaked childhood in Germany to the secret "love nest" in Harlem where he married his housekeeper in a fake ceremony, we uncover the man behind the collar.

​Was he a religious fanatic commanded by St. Elizabeth to drink blood? A cold-blooded counterfeiter trying to get rich? or a sexual predator who used God as a cover for his darkest urges?

​In This Episode, We Cover:

• ​The Origin Story: Growing up in the shadow of a German slaughterhouse and the chilling "Goose Incident" that marked the beginning of his blood fetish (hematolagnia).
• ​The Double Life: How Schmidt balanced life at St. Boniface Rectory with a secret identity as "Dr. Emil Van Dyke" in a rented Harlem apartment.
• ​The Queer Angle: The mysterious and intense relationship with his counterfeiting partner, Dr. Ernest Muret. Was Anna Aumuller just a "beard" for Schmidt’s real life?
• ​The Crime: The brutal murder and dismemberment of Anna Aumuller, and the "Cinderella Clue" (a laundry stamp) that led Inspector Faurot right to the church steps.
• ​The Trial of the Century: The "insanity" defense, the tales of blood sacrifice, and the media circus that branded him "The Vampire Priest."
• ​The Execution: His final moments in "Old Sparky" at Sing Sing Prison.

​The "Homocidal Tendency" Deep Dive:

We look beyond the headlines to ask: Was Schmidt actually insane? Or was he a psychopath who viewed people—men and women alike—as props in his own divine play? We explore the theory that his "blood lust" was a replacement for traditional sexuality and how he used the priesthood to mask a lifetime of predation.

​Content Warning:

This episode contains graphic descriptions of dismemberment, sexual coercion, religious trauma, animal cruelty, and botched medical procedures. Listener discretion is advised.

​Resources & Visuals:

• ​Check out our Instagram for the "Murder Map" of the Harlem apartment and the original 1913 sketches of the trial.
• ​Historical Context: The "Yellow Journalism" wars of Hearst vs. Pulitzer that turned this case into a national spectacle.

​Credits:

• ​Host: Matt
• ​Podcast: Homocidal Tendency
• ​Research: Deep dive into 1913 NYPD records, the "Hudson River Torso" files, and contemporary psychiatric reports on Hans Schmidt.

​Tags/Keywords:

#TrueCrime #FatherHansSchmidt #HansSchmidt #QueerTrueCrime #History #NYCHistory #1913 #KillerPriest #SerialKiller #Forensics #OldSparky #Horror #HomocidalTendency #LGBTQTrueCrime #ReligiousTrauma #VampirePriest

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​It was February 12, 2008, inside a computer lab at E.O. Green Junior High in Oxnard, California. The only sounds were the clack-clack-clack of keyboards and the low hum of teenage chatter.

​In the front row sat 15-year-old Larry King, wearing his signature knee-high brown suede boots and makeup. He was bold, gender-nonconforming, and—in the eyes of many—a "problem" to be solved.

​Directly behind him sat 14-year-old Brandon McInerney, a popular athlete hiding a dark secret of domestic abuse and neo-Nazi indoctrination.

​For weeks, their interactions had been a collision of two worlds: Larry weaponizing flirtation to survive bullying, and Brandon viewing that flirtation as a threat to his manhood. When Larry asked Brandon to be his Valentine in front of the lunch crowd, the fuse was lit.

​In this deep dive, we peel back the layers of a tragedy that changed California law forever. We explore:

• ​The Victim: Larry’s complex journey through the foster system and his brave exploration of gender identity (Leticia).
• ​The Killer: Brandon’s "Jekyll and Hyde" life—the polite student by day, the white supremacist trainee by night.
• ​The System: How a school paralyzed by "neutrality" and a legal system swayed by "Gay Panic" failed a child who just wanted to wear high heels.

​Triggers: Gun violence involving minors, hate crimes, domestic abuse, homophobia/transphobia, and victim-blaming legal strategies.

​Featured in this Episode:

• ​The "Boots" & The Dress Code: How Larry used fashion as armor.
• ​The Warning Signs: The "leakage" of intent that students heard but never reported.
• ​The Trial: How a defense team turned a victim into a villain and secured a controversial plea deal.
• ​The Aftermath: "Larry's Law," the 21-year sentence, and where they are now.

​Resources & Support

​If you or someone you know is struggling with bullying or needs support regarding gender identity, please reach out. You are not alone.

• ​The Trevor Project: 24/7 crisis support for LGBTQ+ youth. Call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678. thetrevorproject.org
• ​GLSEN: Working to create safe and inclusive schools for all. glsen.org
• ​988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 (USA).

​Connect with Homocidal Tendency

​If you enjoyed this deep dive, please rate and review the show on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. It helps us keep the lights on and the research going.

• ​Instagram:@[HomocidalTendenc]
• ​Twitter/X: @[Homocidalpod]
• ​TikTok: @[HomocidalTendency]
• Bluesky @[HomocidalTendency]

​Rest in Power, Larry King (1993–2008).

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​He is "The Doodler"—a serial killer who charmed his victims with charcoal portraits before luring them to their deaths in the dunes of Ocean Beach. He killed five men. He assaulted countless others. And then, he vanished.

​In this episode of 
Homocidal Tendency
, we open the file on one of the most frustrating cold cases in American history. We explore the "Glass Closet" that protected the killer, the heroic Black detectives who solved the case but couldn't close it, and the shocking confession given to a psychiatrist that can never be used in court.

​The suspect is still out there. The case is still open. 

​🚨 Call to Action: Help Close the Case

​The Doodler is believed to be alive and residing in the San Francisco Bay Area (East Bay).

​View the Sketches: Check our Instagram @[homocidalTendency] to see the 1975 sketch vs. the 2019 age-progression.

​The Tip Line: If you have information, contact the SFPD Cold Case Unit anonymously at (415) 553-1145

​🔗 Support the Show

​Rate & Review: Please leave a 5-star rating on Spotify and Apple Podcasts! It helps alot.

https://linktr.ee/HomocidalTendency

Key words

TheDoodler TrueCrimePodcast ColdCase SerialKiller Unsolved SanFrancisco SFHistory TheCastro LGBTQHistory TrueCrimeCommunity HomocidalTendency CrimeJunkie Podcast NewEpisode MurderMystery 1975 Justice Investigation ColdCaseUnit BayAreaCrime

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​"I wanted to know what it felt like to kill someone."

​In the winter of 1995, the quiet coast of North Wales became the set of a real-life slasher movie. Four men were brutally murdered in four months. The killer wasn’t a drifter or a gangster—he was a respected local businessman.

 Peter Moore was the soft-spoken owner of the Focus Cinema, a man known for his love of teddy bear sweaters and his devotion to his late mother.

​But when the sun went down, the "Teddy Bear" vanished. In his place was "The Man in Black"—a leather-clad predator who prowled the A55 Expressway in a white van, hunting for victims to satisfy a dark obsession he had watched on screen for years.

​In this episode, we dive into the twisted mind of Britain’s "most dangerous man," exploring how a fixation on 
Friday the 13th
 bled into reality, the "Jason" defense that stunned a courtroom, and the eerie, decaying cinema where he hid his secrets.

​📼 In This Episode:

​The Villain: Peter Moore, the "Jekyll and Hyde" of North Wales who kept a shrine to his mother in one house and a Nazi bunker in the other.

​The Movie: How Moore treated his crimes like a film production, from the "costume" to the "director's commentary" confession.

​The Victims: Remembering Henry Roberts, Edward Carthy, Keith Mersh, and Tony Davies.

​The Twist: The "Jason" Defense—did Moore invent a fictional doppelgänger based on Jason Voorhees to take the fall?

​The Locations: An urban explorer’s look at the rotting Focus Cinema in Bagillt and the desolate "Triangle of Terror" along the A55.

​📍 The Locations (Check our Instagram for the Map):

​Bagillt: The Focus Cinema (The Lair)

​Pensarn Beach: The Dunes (The final murder site)

​Clocaenog Forest: The burial site

​The A55 Expressway: The "Hunting Ground"

​🔪 Horror Tropes Discussed:

​The "Evil Twin" / Doppelgänger Defense.

​The "Slasher" archetype (The Man in Black).

​
Friday the 13th
 (Jason Voorhees).

​🔗 Connect With Us:

​Instagram: @HomocidalTendency – 
Head there now to see the "Triangle of Terror" map, the photos of the cinema

https://linktr.ee/HomocidalTendency

​Question of the Week: Peter Moore blamed "Jason" for the murders. In the battle of Slasher Villains, is Jason Voorhees actually the scariest, or did Moore pick the wrong idol? Let us know in the comments!

​⭐️ Support the Show:

​If you enjoyed this deep dive into the archives, please leave us a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It helps other horror fans find their way to our lobby.

​Host: Matt

Genre: Queer True Crime

​
Disclaimer: This episode contains detailed descriptions of violence and murder. Listener discretion is advised.

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When he was found murdered in his 40th Avenue home a residence known as the "Museum of Whimsy"police were met with a crime scene that was as surreal as it was brutal.

​In this episode, we explore the dual lives of the man known as "Roberto the Great," the specialized circus artifacts that vanished from his collection, and the "ghost" fingerprint that remains the primary link to a killer who has evaded justice for over three decades.

​Case Facts & Details

​Victim: Robert "Bobby" Gierka (Age 45).

​Location: 845 40th Avenue North, St. Petersburg, FL.

​Discovery Date: August 11, 1991.

​The Scene: A "staged" environment where porcelain dolls were positioned to overlook the victim.

​Stolen Property: Rare 1920s/30s Circus Route Books, professional ventriloquist puppets, and a 1983 Maroon Oldsmobile Omega (later recovered in Tampa).

​Key Evidence: A latent fingerprint recovered from a porcelain clown and a "silent" DNA profile.

​Call to Action: How You Can Help

The murder of Robert Gierka is an active cold case. We are calling on the community and the circus world to help turn the spotlight back on:

​Memorabilia Collectors: If you have acquired rare circus Route Books or professional puppets with no clear provenance originating from the Florida area in the early 90s, please contact authorities.

​Tips: If you have any information regarding this case, no matter how small, contact the St. Petersburg Police Cold Case Unit at (727) 893-7179.

​Resources & Further Reading

​St. Petersburg Police Department Cold Case Files.

​The 
Tampa Bay Times
 Digital Archives (Search: Robert Gierka, 1991).

​The Ringling Circus Museum Archives, Sarasota, FL.

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 A classically trained chef and paranoid schizophrenic, Clark didn't just kill; he processed. Using his professional butchery skills, he turned suburban Maryland into a private hunting ground, hiding a six-year-old girl in plain sight for 14 years. 

From forced cross-dressing childhood trauma to drinking blood and confessing to a man he believed was Jesus Christ, this is the story of a man whose mother stole his identity—and who spent the rest of his life consuming the identities of others.

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He was the most popular Santa in the city. Parents stood in line for hours just so their children could sit on his lap. But while Bruce McArthur was checking his 'Naughty or Nice' list, he was hiding a graveyard in the gardens of Toronto’s elite.

​How does a man hide eight murders in plain sight for nearly a decade? The answer isn't found in the shadows, but in the most trusted places imaginable: a festive mall throne and a blooming flower planter.

​In this episode, we deconstruct the terrifying double life of Bruce McArthur—the "grandfatherly" landscaper who weaponized his own kindness to become Canada’s most prolific serial killer. We’re peeling back the "Santa" mask to reveal a predator who calculated that the world wouldn't look for a killer who looked like Saint Nick.

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Bruce McArthur didn’t just hide behind a mask; he hid behind a legend. While he was actively stalking and murdering men in Toronto’s Gay Village, he spent his winters as a Santa Claus at the Agincourt Mall. He wasn't a man in a costume; he was a man who had transformed himself into a symbol of ultimate trust.

​How does a man become a pillar of his community while simultaneously becoming its greatest predator? This week, we explore the life and crimes of Bruce McArthur, the "Mall Santa" who terrorized Toronto’s Gay Village for nearly a decade. We go beyond the headlines to examine the "performance" of his normalcy, the systemic failures of "Project Houston," and the chilling forensic discovery at 53 Mallory Crescent.

​

https://linktr.ee/HomocidalTendency

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​"He was a balding, overweight pizza delivery driver who walked with a cane and lived with his sister. To the locals, he was 'Miss Moped,' a pathetic wannabe drag queen obsessed with Patti LaBelle. But behind the closed doors of his Bayou Blue trailer, Ronald Dominique was something else entirely. This is the story of The Bayou Strangler—the man who murdered 23 men over a decade while police dismissed the victims as 'throwaways,' and the lone survivor who finally brought the most prolific serial killer you’ve never heard of to justice."

https://linktr.ee/HomocidalTendency

eeacebd32f0f0f33c24b36d480eca9cd1c74c0ff

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