Once Upon A Crime podcast artwork
True Crime

Once Upon A Crime

by Esther Ludlow
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Latest episodes

  • Gregorio “Goyo” Cardenas: The Tacuba Strangler | With Jack Luna of Dark Topic

    October 26, 2026 · 1 hr 15 min

    Can a serial killer truly be rehabilitated, or can a clever murderer simply convince the world that he's changed? In this special episode of Once Upon a Crime, Esther welcomes back Jack Luna, host and producer of the acclaimed true crime…

  • The Oracle's Daughter: Inside an American Cult

    October 19, 2026 · 47 min

    How does a free-spirited hippie become the authoritarian leader of a religious cult? And why do ordinary people remain loyal to dangerous leaders, even when faced with abuse, isolation, and fear? This week on Once Upon a Crime, we explore…

  • Rocktober: Axl Rose — Welcome to the Nightmare

    October 12, 2026 · 38 min

    Before he became the legendary—and notoriously volatile—frontman of Guns N’ Roses, Axl Rose was a troubled kid from Lafayette, Indiana, with a childhood marked by family secrets, abuse, and rebellion. In this special Rocktober episode, we…

  • Axl Rose, American Cults & Mexico’s ‘Reformed’ Serial Killer - Welcome to Spooky Season on Once Upon a Crime!

    October 5, 2026 · 4 min

    Axl Rose, American Cults & Mexico’s ‘Reformed’ Serial Killer - Welcome to Spooky Season on Once Upon a Crime!   Spooky Season has arrived on Once Upon a Crime! October is Esther’s favorite month, and this year we’re celebrating with a…

  • Taylor Parker — Deadly Deception

    September 28, 2026 · 37 min

    Taylor Parker presented herself as a hardworking Texas country girl, a devoted girlfriend, an heiress to a family fortune—and soon, an excited mother-to-be. There was just one problem. Much of it wasn't true. Taylor wasn't an heiress. The…

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  • Mackenzie Shirilla: Behind the Image — The True Story Behind Netflix’s “The Crash”

    September 21, 2026 · 41 min

    In July 2022, 17-year-old Mackenzie Shirilla was behind the wheel of a car that slammed into a brick building in Strongsville, Ohio, at nearly 100 miles per hour. Her boyfriend, 20-year-old Dominic “Dom” Russo, and their friend…

  • BONUS: Why Did They Stay? Inside the Sedona Sweat Lodge Tragedy: A Discussion with Author Annette McGivney

    September 18, 2026 · 1 hr 0 min

    In this bonus episode, Esther shares the complete interview with journalist Annette McGivney, author of Plastic Shaman: The True Story of a Deadly Self-Help Retreat and America’s Misguided Quest for Wellness, expanding on the 2009 Sedona…

  • The Sedona Sweat Lodge Tragedy

    September 14, 2026 · 32 min

    In 2009, self-help superstar James Arthur Ray invited dozens of followers to a six-day retreat near Sedona, Arizona, promising a life-changing journey of spiritual transformation. Instead, his Spiritual Warrior program ended in tragedy…

  • Copycat Killers - Did Scott Peterson Inspire Other Murders?

    August 31, 2026 · 33 min

    In this bonus episode of Once Upon a Crime, we ask a disturbing question: did the Scott Peterson case inspire other men to murder their wives? We examine the cases of Lori Hacking, Jennifer Corbin, and Teresa Lane, three women whose…

  • Scott Peterson Revisited - Part Two: Esther & Yolanda Reopen the Case

    August 24, 2026 · 1 hr 3 min

    In Part Two of Scott Peterson Revisited, Esther is joined by her sister Yolanda to take a closer look at the claims now being made on behalf of convicted murderer Scott Peterson. In 2024, the Los Angeles Innocence Project announced that it…

  • Bonus: Unmasking Scott Peterson

    August 17, 2026 · 38 min

    In this bonus episode of Scott Peterson Revisited, we look beyond the evidence to examine the man at the center of the case. Was Scott Peterson capable of murdering his pregnant wife, Laci, and their unborn son, Conner? We explore Scott’s…

  • Scott Peterson Revisited: Part One - Separating Fact from Fiction

    August 10, 2026 · 54 min

    Twenty-three years after the murders of Laci Peterson and her unborn son, Conner, the case against Scott Peterson is once again under scrutiny. In January 2024, the Los Angeles Innocence Project announced that it was representing Peterson…

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About the show

Step into the darker side of history with Once Upon A Crime, a true-crime podcast that delves deep into some of the world’s most gripping cases. Hosted by an expert storyteller, Esther Ludlow, each episode unravels the mysteries behind notorious crimes, exploring the lives of victims, perpetrators, and the intricate details of the investigations that followed. With carefully researched narratives, thematic series, and thoughtful insights, Once Upon A Crime offers listeners a captivating blend of suspense, history, and human psychology. Whether you're a seasoned true-crime fan or just curious about the stories that shaped headlines, Once Upon A Crime promises to keep you on the edge of your seat.