Obscura: A True Crime Podcast

As we live our lives, we have a broad belief that those around us are decent, kind, and humane human beings. We take for granted that people we encounter every day are like us. The reality is far bleaker and far crueller. The spectrum in which the human psyche lies is wide and it is vast. As humans we inevitably vary in our positions. We slide up or down that scale to a degree but overall, we don’t stray too far from our central point. Not everybody is like that. That is not the status quo for some. Listener, this story is about the explosive and devastating collision of two worlds. One brilliant, bubbly and filled with light. The other dark and ominous with a heavy shadow.  There was an unfair advantage in this collision, An unbalanced division of power and control. This rendered one party entirely powerless to win the fight. In March 2019, under the cover of darkness a predator silently hunted the streets of Five Points in Columbia, South Carolina. An animalistic repetitive prowling searching for a victim. When they did pounce, they caged in their prey leaving no means of escape. The innocence of a well-loved ambitious college student with everything to live for was ripped away during that assault. Brutalized in a frenzied, violent, and cold-blooded attack. She fought hard for her life that night, but when his eyes locked onto her as prey, she had no chance of survival. -Visit us online at obscuracrimepodcast.com -Find us on all podcasting platforms: https://link.chtbl.com/obscura -Support Obscura on Patreon and unlock the exclusive Black Label episodes: www.patreon.com/obscuracrimepodcast

A violent crime isn't committed in a vacuum. Through the years you can feel the reverberations. In today's episode we cover two criminals. It's worth meditating on the resonance of their acts. -Visit us online at obscuracrimepodcast.com -Find us on all podcasting platforms: https://link.chtbl.com/obscura -Support Obscura on Patreon and unlock the exclusive Black Label episodes: www.patreon.com/obscuracrimepodcast

There are several ways to get to the Yosemite National Park in Northern California, but the most scenic is a long, winding road through the mountains. As you drive north on Wawona Road, the small shrubs give way to the large pine trees that line the two-car road. The aroma of pine trees fill your car as you slowly drive left and right as the road follows the contours of the mountain. And then, when you turn around the final bend, you enter in a dark tunnel. The tunnel was carved directly through the mountain, through solid granite, and it’s the longest tunnel in the California Highway system at 4,233 feet. The darkness envelops you when you first enter the tunnel and at times it seems like it will never end. But when you reach the end and finally exit the tunnel, light and warmth floods into the windshield and you are exposed to the most beautiful scenery in the Yosemite valley. From this location you can see El Capitan mountain to your left, a waterfall on your right, and in the rear, the famous Half Dome mountain. It is a stunning, picturesque landscape and it immediately becomes obvious why Yosemite National Park has almost four million visitors every year. Unfortunately for four innocent women, there's another darkness in the Yosemite valley area, and it isn't the tunnel. It’s a person, and though, he’s just a man of flesh and blood, he managed to cast a shadow over the valley. That shadow isn’t straight like the tunnel that leads into the valley. It is more like the winding road that leads up to it, with twists and turns and bends. Disfigured and ugly. Episode Sponsor:  Stop throwing money away, cancel unwanted subscriptions at Rocketmoney.com/obscura Get a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale at stamps.com/obscura. Thanks to Stamps.com for sponsoring the show! 

If this were a Hollywood movie, the story of Gary Ridgway would build to an explosive climax. Considering the path he took, the events the unfolded, and the continued escalation… I wouldn’t blame you for thinking that. The end of a serial killer’s life of violence is often as dull as any other crime. A knock may come at the killer in questions door. They may be interrupted at their workplace. Asked to come downtown. There are exceptions of course. Richard Ramirez and Ted Bundy both had captured fit for the silver screen. Not Gary. No, Gary’s arrest, after a life of violent thrashing, came during a period of relative inactivity.

Part 02 of a three part series. Now in adulthood, we take a look at the media circus surrounding Gary Ridgway. His pride. The Green River Task Force. Ted Bundy... This episode has it all. Black Label Episodes AND Ad-Free episodes are now available on Apple Podcasts Premium. Episode Sponsors: Stop throwing your money away. Cancel unwanted subscriptions – and manage your expenses the easy way – by going to Rocketmoney.com/obscura Match with a licensed therapist and get $100 off your first month by going to Talkspace.com/obscura Get a 4 week trial, free postage, and a digital scale at Stamps.com/Obscura. Thanks to Stamps.com for sponsoring the show! -Visit us online at obscuracrimepodcast.com -Find us on all podcasting platforms: https://link.chtbl.com/obscura -Support Obscura on Patreon and unlock the exclusive Black Label episodes: www.patreon.com/obscuracrimepodcast

In today's episode we tackle the early life of a monster. Through piecing together moments of his child we may gain insight into why Gary Ridgway chose his path. This is part one of a two part series. Hold on tight because the episode intentionally jumps around the timeline. Listener, let's jump into the mind of man convicted of killing 49 and confessed and suspected of killing 90+ people. It's going to get dark. Black Label Episodes AND Ad-Free episodes are now available on Apple Podcasts Premium. Episode Sponsors: Stop throwing your money away. Cancel unwanted subscriptions – and manage your expenses the easy way – by going to Rocketmoney.com/obscura Match with a licensed therapist and get $100 off your first month by going to Talkspace.com/obscura Get a 4 week trial, free postage, and a digital scale at Stamps.com/Obscura. Thanks to Stamps.com for sponsoring the show! -Visit us online at obscuracrimepodcast.com -Find us on all podcasting platforms: https://link.chtbl.com/obscura -Support Obscura on Patreon and unlock the exclusive Black Label episodes: www.patreon.com/obscuracrimepodcast

Listener, join me on this fireside conversation.

The conclusion to the jam-packed three-part series. You wouldn’t expect it possible after last episode. But things somehow get darker. Now… let’s get on with it. -Visit us online at obscuracrimepodcast.com -Find us on all podcasting platforms: https://link.chtbl.com/obscura -Support Obscura on Patreon and unlock the exclusive Black Label episodes: www.patreon.com/obscuracrimepodcast

In 1995, 8-year-olds Melissa Russo and Julie Lejeune disappeared while playing in their neighbourhood in the south of Belgium. The following month, 17-year-old An Marchal and her 19-year-old friend Eefje Lambrecks disappeared on the north coast of the country while on a holiday with friends. There had been no sign of any of the girls, and their anguished families were without any answers. In mid-1996, 12-year-old Sabine Dardenne and 14-year-old Laetitia Delhez were abducted a month apart. Thanks to observant members of the public, police arrested unemployed electrician Marc Dutroux, his wife Michelle, and their accomplice Michel Lelievre for the abduction of Sabine. Unbeknownst to the Belgian public, Marc had already been convicted of raping 5 young women in the 1980s and had served prison time - but had been released well before the end of his sentence. Free to wander the street and do as he pleased, Marc took up where he’d left off. But this time, he made sure that at least 4 of his victims wouldn’t live to tell the tale. In 1996, with Marc, Michelle and Lelievre in custody, it was only then that 40 year old Marc revealed to police that he was also holding Laetitia captive. She and Sabine had both been kept in a dungeon in the cellar of Marc’s home, where they were repeatedly raped, but were thankfully rescued by police soon after. But Melissa, Julie, An, and Eefje were still missing. What investigators were about to uncover was something that pushed Belgians to the verge of revolt against their government. CW: suicide, sexual assault, child abuse, drug use, family violence Episode Sponsor: Stop throwing your money away. Cancel unwanted subscriptions – and manage your expenses the easy way – by going to Rocketmoney.com/obscura

In June 1995, 8-year-old friends Melissa Russo & Julie Lejeune went for a walk to a park near their neighbourhood outside the Belgian capital city of Brussels. When they failed to return home, their parents reported their disappearance to police. But nothing came of any subsequent publicity or desperate TV appeals. It was as though the pair had vanished into thin air. 2 months later, 17-year-old An Marchal & 19-year-old Eefje Lambrecks went out for the evening while on a Belgian seaside holiday with a group of friends. When the girls failed to return to their accommodation or make contact, the rest of their group knew something was very wrong. But local police failed to take the disappearance seriously. In the spring of 1996, 12-year-old Sabine Dardenne was riding her bike to school near the French-Belgian border. When Sabine failed to show up at school that day or return home, posters were distributed in the local area. But no one had seen hide nor hair of her. It wasn’t until August that same year, when 14-year-old Laetitia Delhez disappeared while walking home from her local swimming pool, that things started to heat up in terms of a police investigation. Local police patrols around the country weren’t aware of girls and young women going missing in other parts of Belgium, but one select police branch did. And a specific suspect was on their radar. Following witness tip offs, officers identified a man and brought him in for questioning. As he spoke to investigators, a horrifying story started to unfold. What the man had to tell police would rock Belgian law enforcement, the judiciary, and the very fabric of Belgian society and its people to the core for years to come. CW: suicide, sexual assault, child abuse, drug use, family violence -Visit us online at obscuracrimepodcast.com -Find us on all podcasting platforms: https://link.chtbl.com/obscura -Support Obscura on Patreon and unlock the exclusive Black Label episodes: www.patreon.com/obscuracrimepodcast

David Joseph is in his home minding his own business when members of his family grab his attention. There’s a fire outside of their window and they want him to investigate. Outside there’s a woman. Her name is Hyphernkemberly Dorvilier and she’s twenty two years old. She’s standing over something and it’s on fire. David rightfully asks what she’s burning outside of his residence. Hyphernkemberly responds that it’s dog feces. Frustrated and likely confused by why this young woman is burning dog shit outside of his window, David grabs some water and puts out the fire. It’s at this moment he hears the baby crying. Black Label Episodes AND Ad-Free episodes are now available on Apple Podcasts Premium. Checkout our other shows at Blacklabelpodcasting.com Support Obscura on Patreon and unlock the exclusive Black Label episodes. Join us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

Just because the portrayal has Voodoo hasn’t always been accurate, it doesn’t mean there aren’t those who have used inaccurate portrayals as a muse for their evil deeds. In today’s episode we explore such crimes. Crimes with an air of mystery due to the obvious voodoo influence connected to them. Checkout our other shows at Blacklabelpodcasting.com Support Obscura on Patreon and unlock the exclusive Black Label episodes. Join us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

This Mother’s Day, join Shane Waters on a chilling adventure featuring 14 podcasters as they share sinister stories of motherhood. Mother’s Day is typically a time to honor the love and sacrifices of mothers, but today we’ll be exploring the twisted tales that lurk behind the shadows.  It’s an extra special, two parts, more than two-hour, Mother’s Day event.  Podcasts are listed here in order of appearance: Part 1: Foul Play: Crime Series Music City 911 Crimes from the East  Cults, Crimes, Cabernet  A Nefarious Nightmare  Crimelines  The Asian Madness Podcast  Part 2: Once Upon A Crime  PNW Haunts & Homicides The Trail Went Cold  Coffee & Cases Already Gone  Twisted and Uncorked  Mystery Inc  If you enjoyed this holiday collaboration special, check out the other collaboration specials: Deceptions & Resurrections, Bloody Valentine, and A Nightmare before Halloween . Until our next adventure, stay safe and stay vigilant.

This Mother’s Day, join Shane Waters on a chilling adventure featuring 14 podcasters as they share sinister stories of motherhood. Mother’s Day is typically a time to honor the love and sacrifices of mothers, but today we’ll be exploring the twisted tales that lurk behind the shadows.  It’s an extra special, two parts, more than two-hour, Mother’s Day event.  Podcasts are listed here in order of appearance: Part 1: Foul Play: Crime Series Music City 911 Crimes from the East  Cults, Crimes, Cabernet  A Nefarious Nightmare  Crimelines  The Asian Madness Podcast  Part 2: Once Upon A Crime  PNW Haunts & Homicides The Trail Went Cold  Coffee & Cases Already Gone  Twisted and Uncorked  Mystery Inc  If you enjoyed this holiday collaboration special, check out the other collaboration specials: Deceptions & Resurrections, Bloody Valentine, and A Nightmare before Halloween . Until our next adventure, stay safe and stay vigilant.

Jinkies! Welcome to the Mystery Inc podcast, where we unmask the truth behind the spookiest mysteries!  In this episode, we're tackling the mystery at Airtight Bridge in Illinois. It's a place with a dark past, where strange things have been happening for decades. People have reported seeing ghostly figures walking along the bridge, strange noises, and even unexplainable accidents. Taking us on this spooky adventure are brother hosts, Shane and Josh Waters. They're experts in all things mystery, and they're not afraid of a little paranormal.  So grab your Scooby Snacks, turn off the lights, and join us on the Mystery Inc podcast. Who knows what we might find? Zoinks! You can find Mystery Inc here: Website, Apple, Spotify

By the late 1990s and early 2000s, hundreds of children from West Africa were entering Britain and Europe every year under private fostering arrangements. The educational and personal development opportunities available to youngsters outside their home countries meant their families often sacrificed raising their children temporarily, to give them a better life elsewhere. Under this common tradition, a child usually lived with someone who was trusted, such as a family member who was already an EU or British resident or a citizen. In a way, it was the African equivalent to British parents sending their children away to elite boarding schools. And there was a convenient loophole, in Britain at least. Given the informality of these arrangements, any person who became a child’s primary guardian was not required to register as a foster parent. This meant there was therefore less monitoring of a child’s care under such an arrangement. In a developed country like Britain, African parents were confident their children were in good hands. They were hopeful that their offspring would forge new friendships, thrive in a far more equitable school environment, and enjoy creature comforts they wouldn’t otherwise have been able to experience. And after all, children were always safest with family members, no matter how distant the blood ties. This is what the family of 7 year old Victoria Climbie thought when they sent her to France with her great aunt in 1998. Surely in Europe, Victoria would have a better life. CW: extreme child abuse, family violence, self harm Black Label Episodes AND Ad-Free episodes are now available on Apple Podcasts Premium. Find us on all podcasting platforms. Support Obscura on Patreon and unlock the exclusive Black Label episodes. Visit us online. Join us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

There was no hope for justice in a case like this. That went out the window long before an arrest was ever made. Be that as it may, Richardson had to be held accountable for his crimes. Prior to his guilty verdict, Richardson also needed to be given the benefit of the doubt. Regardless of how heinous a crime, all defendants have the right to a fair trial. During this trial, jurors, police officers, court officials, and family members alike were brought to tears, often needing to leave the room as the ruins of Teagan Skiba’s unfathomable last days were put on display. Lawyers clinically refer to such ruins as ‘evidence.’ It's a deceptive description of what was being presented to the court. At one point, attorneys argued over whether or not the jury should see photographs of what happens when a four-year-old child experiences something the devil wouldn’t abide in the darkest caverns of hell. Lucky jurors: someone had their best interests at heart. Black Label Episodes AND Ad-Free episodes are now available on Apple Podcasts Premium. Find us on all podcasting platforms. Support Obscura on Patreon and unlock the exclusive Black Label episodes. Visit us online. Join us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

This Easter, join Shane Waters on a whimsical adventure featuring 13 podcasters as they share true stories of con artists and fake deaths. Delve into the magical world of the Enchanted Easterlands, where you’ll encounter peculiar characters and captivating true crime tales. Discover the history and origins of Easter, and experience a journey like no other.  It’s an extra special, two part, more than two-hour, Easter event.  Podcasts are listed here in order of appearance: Part 1: Crimelines Rotten to the Core Frightful Mind over Murder The Trail Went Cold The Hidden Staircase Hometown History Part 2: Wicked Deeds Obscura: A True Crime Podcast Hillbilly Horror Stories  History Goes Bump Judgy Crime Girls Foul Play: Crime Series If you enjoyed this holiday collaboration special, check out the other collaboration specials: My Bloody Valentine and A Nightmare before Halloween. Stay tuned for upcoming holiday collaborations for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Until our next adventure, stay safe and stay vigilant.