Bitter Academia

In the final episode, we learn about the natural disaster that rocked the Bay Area the year following Jane’s death, quieting the rumors in the media once and for all. And we return to a place that was home to one of the happiest times of her life, thoughtfully preserved to the present day.” Written, reported, and narrated by Natalia Gurevich.   Editing, production, and sound design by Matt Pitman. Additional editing by Myron Kaplan, Managing Producer - Audacy Original Podcasts.

As Jane's death is covered up by the university, the most likely culprit emerges. But the poisoner's motivations might not be what we think. And as we get closer to Jane's story, we get closer to her living family as well, and what connections they still have with her.  Written, reported, and narrated by Natalia Gurevich.   Editing, production, and sound design by Matt Pitman. Additional editing by Myron Kaplan, Managing Producer - Audacy Original Podcasts.

Even though the doctors present at her death and at her autopsy quickly concluded that she had been poisoned with strychnine, this narrative would soon be changed. Those with the university chose to declare her death natural, out of fear that any other cause -- murder, suicide, would open the school, and her estate, to further scrutiny. Written, reported, and narrated by Natalia Gurevich.   Editing, production, and sound design by Matt Pitman. Additional editing by Myron Kaplan, Managing Producer - Audacy Original Podcasts.

Jane Stanford kept a small, insular circle of people close to her.  Several would have the nature of their relationship to her questioned following her suspicious death.  One of those was the person closest to Jane. Written, reported, and narrated by Natalia Gurevich.   Editing, production, and sound design by Matt Pitman. Additional editing by Myron Kaplan, Managing Producer - Audacy Original Podcasts.

While Jane didn't start Stanford University by herself, she was left to run the fledgling university on her own.  As a result of her husband's death and his poor planning, she was forced to make unpopular decisions. Written, reported, and narrated by Natalia Gurevich.   Editing, production, and sound design by Matt Pitman. Additional editing by Myron Kaplan, Managing Producer - Audacy Original Podcasts.

In 1905, Jane Stanford, the founder of Stanford University, was mysteriously poisoned while on vacation in Hawaii. The wealthiest woman in the Bay Area, possibly the country at the time, was 76-years-old and had spent the latter part of her life pouring her fortune and her heart into a school that would become one of the most prestigious in the world. But her life, and the school’s origins, were not all that they seemed. Written, reported, and narrated by Natalia Gurevich.   Editing, production, and sound design by Matt Pitman. Additional editing by Myron Kaplan, Managing Producer - Audacy Original Podcasts.

Beginning Monday, February 20th.  The story of Jane Stanford, one of the richest women in the country in 1905. But the life of Stanford University’s founder was cut short — poisoned — and it wasn’t the first attempt. In the weeks following her death, her innermost circle would collaborate in a messy coverup, ruling her death as natural. More than a century later, the university founded by Jane as a tribute to the ghost of her 15-year-old son, still hasn’t acknowledged the darker parts of its past.

The last episode of The Sausage King grapples with how Stuart Alexander’s crimes affected the city of San Leandro and the government agencies involved decades later. As the story comes to a close, it’s clear—despite his efforts while he was alive, Stuart’s legacy is undeserved, and those most deserving, weren’t acknowledged until their death. Written, researched and narrated by Natalia Gurevich.  Production, editing, mixing and sound design by Matt Pitman. 

At last, we hear from a member of Stuart's family to learn about Stuart's state of mind leading up to the murders and the years before.  And Natalia finally tracks down the infamous Santos Linguisa! Written, researched and narrated by Natalia Gurevich.  Production, editing, mixing and sound design by Matt Pitman. 

At Stuart's trial, his past took center stage.  His guilt was never in question - as the triple murder was caught on video.  Was he a calculated murderer?  Or was he suffering from untreated mental health problems and brain injuries suffered in his youth?  Would that explain his volatile, dangerous, manipulative and grandiose personality?  Written, researched and narrated by Natalia Gurevich.  Production, editing, mixing and sound design by Matt Pitman. 

Stuart I losing the one thing he values the most.  Control.  He lost his bid to be Mayor of San Leandro.  Now, in the days and hours before the murders, he is more volatile that ever. In episode 5 we’ve arrived at the Santos Linguisa factory on June 21, 2000.  The day of the murders. Written, researched and narrated by Natalia Gurevich.  Production, editing, mixing and sound design by Matt Pitman. 

Stuart Alexander was many things—sausage maker, San Leandro native, and eventually—murderer. But he failed at the one thing he tried to be before he snapped: become the next Mayor of San Leandro. In episode 4 of The Sausage King, we learn why Stuart attempted this pivot into local politics.  His failure to regain some of the control he felt he’d lost, would prove catastrophic. Written, researched and narrated by Natalia Gurevich.  Production, editing, mixing and sound design by Matt Pitman. 

Before he was a triple murderer, Stuart Alexander ran the Santos Factory, known for making linguisa sausage. While others still make it throughout the Bay Area, people say the ones from Santos stand above all the rest. In episode 3, we meet some of Stuart's former business partners, who discuss his famous product, and infamous personality, one of whom has a surprising connection to this podcast. Written, researched and narrated by Natalia Gurevich.  Production, editing, mixing and sound design by Matt Pitman. 

A sausage maker in San Leandro, Stuart Alexander, murdered three government workers 22 years ago, seemingly out of the blue. But this event was actually the culmination of years of pent up anger, refusal to change, and a belief that he could get away with whatever he wanted.  This first episode scratches the surface of what drove Stuart’s actions and how the case has impacted his community even now, more than two decades later. Written, researched and narrated by Natalia Gurevich.   Production, editing, mixing and sound design by Matt Pitman. 

The Santos Linguisa factory was created by a family of Portuguese immigrants that settled in San Leandro a century ago. The family poured everything into the business, their legacy, paving the way for Stuart to inevitably take over, mowing down everyone and everything in his path to get it. Episode two traces Stuart’s young life up until this moment, charting how his temper and violence began as early as high school. Written, researched and narrated by Natalia Gurevich.  Production, editing, mixing and sound design by Matt Pitman. 

More than two decades ago, a local sausage maker in San Leandro snapped and killed three government workers in his factory. Listen for the first glimpse into the story of The Sausage King of San Leandro, Stuart Alexander, and how he went from sausage maker, to murderer. Subscribe to The Sausage King on the Audacy App or wherever you listen to podcasts. Beginning Monday May 9, binge the first two episodes.  With new episodes released each Monday.