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Foul Play: A Historical True Crime Podcast
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Foul Play: A Historical True Crime Podcast

Author: Shane L. Waters, Wendy Cee, Gemma Hoskins

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Foggy gaslit streets. A quiet courtroom. And crimes that history tried to bury.

Foul Play is a historical true crime podcast that investigates the most chilling murder cases from the 1800s and early 1900s across the United States and the United Kingdom. Hosted by investigative crime journalists Shane Waters who pioneered crime podcasting in 2008 and Wendy Cee, each season unravels one complete criminal case through original research, court records, and primary source material.

This isn't sensationalized true crime. Every season of Foul Play puts victims first their names, their stories, their humanity before examining how murder investigations unfolded in an era before modern forensics, when justice was far from guaranteed.

From Victorian poisoners in London to Gilded Age killers in America, Foul Play brings historical true crime to life with cinematic storytelling and relentless accuracy. Every fact is verified. Every claim is sourced. Every story is told with the gravity it deserves.

New seasons of this historical true crime podcast release throughout the year, with episodes dropping weekly on Tuesdays.

Hello, friend. Welcome to Foul Play.

321 Episodes
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In this special one-off episode we step back in time to examine one of the oldest and most perplexing missing child cases in American history. This episode examines into the mysterious vanishing of nine-year-old Catherine Winters from New Castle, Indiana, in 1913, a case that has captivated and baffled investigators for over a century.The episode begins with an overview of the historical context of New Castle in the early 20th century, setting the stage for the fateful day of Catherine's disappearance. We explore the events leading up to the day she went missing, piecing together the last known movements and sightings of the young girl. The narrative unfolds through a blend of historical records, eyewitness accounts, and expert interviews, painting a vivid picture of the community's shock and the extensive search efforts that ensued.As the investigation of Catherine's disappearance unfolds, we examine the various theories and suspects that emerged over the years. The episode examines into the challenges faced by law enforcement at the time, the limitations of early 20th-century investigative techniques, and the impact of sensational media coverage on public perception and the course of the investigation.We also bring to light the emotional toll on Catherine's family and the New Castle community, who never ceased in their quest for answers. The episode features interviews with historians, descendants of those involved in the case, and law enforcement experts who provide insights into why the mystery of Catherine Winters has endured for so long and what it reveals about the evolution of missing persons investigations.Listeners are invited to join this historical journey at itsfoulplay.com, where the conversation continues with additional resources and discussions on the case. "The Lost Girl of New Castle, Catherine Winters' 1913 Disappearance" is not just a retelling of a cold case; it's an exploration of the enduring quest for truth and the timeless nature of hope in the face of the unknown. We step back in time to uncover the story of Catherine Winters, the lost girl of New Castle. Our Sponsors: * Check out Kensington Publishing: https://www.kensingtonbooks.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
In a chilling one-off episode of Foul Play: Crime Series, "John Hubbard, The Bones in the Basement," Shane takes listeners on a journey into a dark chapter of Wabash, Indiana's history. The episode unfolds with a startling discovery made in the basement of the Wabash County Historical Museum, where an unassuming box reveals the remains of John Hubbard, a mid-19th-century serial killer.The narrative begins as Shane, exploring the old museum, stumbles upon this eerie relic and seeks to examine the story behind it. He sits down with a local historian to examine into the sinister tale of John Hubbard, who, in a macabre twist of fate, murdered the French family and then audaciously took over their home and possessions.The episode vividly recounts the events leading up to the discovery of the French family's bodies, hidden beneath the floorboards of their own house. As the historian guides Shane through the grim details of the case, they discuss Hubbard's motivations and the methods he used to commit such heinous crimes in an era long before modern forensic science.Listeners are taken through the aftermath of the murders, including the investigation, Hubbard's eventual capture, and the trial that followed. The episode also explores the broader social and historical context of the 1850s in Indiana, providing insights into how such a crime could have unfolded and been resolved during that period.This episode is not just a recounting of a forgotten crime; it's a deep dive into the psyche of a serial killer and a reflection on the evolution of criminal investigation techniques. The discovery of the bones in the museum basement serves as a haunting reminder of the past's proximity and the stories that lie hidden in the shadows of history.For those intrigued by this macabre tale and seeking more information, visit itsfoulplay.com. Join Shane in "John Hubbard, The Bones in the Basement" as he uncovers the forgotten story of a serial killer and the legacy he left behind, buried beneath the floorboards. Our Sponsors: * Check out Kensington Publishing: https://www.kensingtonbooks.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Charlie and Mavis McCloud are installing a new septic tank on their rural property in Canada. They found an old septic tank on the property and decided to use it. However, when they opened it, they found a human body inside. The body was wearing a gray wool sock and a brown shoe, and it appeared to be attached to a leg. In 1977, a couple in the small Canadian community of Tofield discovered a body in a septic tank. The body was wrapped in a yellow blanket and tied up with nylon, with no ID or indication of sex.After a lengthy autopsy, it was determined that the person was a white or native man who had been brutally beaten, burned, sexually mutilated, and shot before being dumped in the septic tank. A man's body was discovered in a septic tank on a farm in Canada. The body was well preserved, and it was later determined that the man was male, had all of his teeth, and had recently had dental work done. The man's identity remains unknown.In 1948 or 1949, a man known only as Sam was brutally murdered and his body was dumped in a septic tank on an abandoned farmhouse. The RCMP believe that Sam was a laborer and possibly a transient, and that the killer was someone local who knew him. The case remains unsolved and Sam's identity is still unknown. Find us ⁠online.⁠Support the show by joining our Black Label to support the show and unlock exclusive benefits. You can join on ⁠Patreon⁠ and ⁠Apple Podcast Premium⁠. Follow us on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Twitter⁠, and ⁠Facebook⁠. Join ⁠Shane's Facebook Group⁠. Hosted by ⁠Shane Waters⁠. Listen to his other crime podcast ⁠Mystery Inc⁠, or his history podcast ⁠Hometown History⁠! Our Sponsors: * Check out Kensington Publishing: https://www.kensingtonbooks.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
In the case of Alvira Johnson and her seven children, it is unclear whether they were murdered or if they met their untimely end in an accident. Either way, their story is one that should be remembered. Alvira and Albin Johnson married around 1923, against her parents' wishes. Albin was 36 and Alvira was only 19.Both were born to Swedish immigrants and Albin was described as a typical farmer in the woods. He was strong and could always be seen wearing blue overalls. The couple had seven children together. Albin and Alvira Johnson were a poor family in the Great Depression. They had seven children together and were rumored to be expecting another.Their friendliness and lack of resources were well-known around their town. One day, their 10-year-old son, Harold, came home from playing with a friend and told his mother that he had eaten too much while at their house. She scolded him, but he didn't understand why Santa never left them anything at Christmas. Find us ⁠online.⁠Support the show by joining our Black Label to support the show and unlock exclusive benefits. You can join on ⁠Patreon⁠ and ⁠Apple Podcast Premium⁠. Follow us on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Twitter⁠, and ⁠Facebook⁠. Join ⁠Shane's Facebook Group⁠. Hosted by ⁠Shane Waters⁠. Listen to his other crime podcast ⁠Mystery Inc⁠, or his history podcast ⁠Hometown History⁠! Our Sponsors: * Check out Kensington Publishing: https://www.kensingtonbooks.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Today is Father's day and two days before my birthday, so I wanted to share with you a special story about a tragedy that happened in my own family. On November 14, 1979, my dad was hit by a drunk driver - after 42 days in a coma he defied the doctors and woke up. My dad, and my family, were never the same again - but the question remains on if some things happen for a reason. If my dad were never in this horrific accident, I never would have been born.Find us ⁠online.⁠ Our Sponsors: * Check out Kensington Publishing: https://www.kensingtonbooks.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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