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Encore - Dorothea Puente: Killer Landlord

Encore - Dorothea Puente: Killer Landlord

Update: 2024-08-275
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This podcast delves into the chilling story of Dorothea Puente, a serial killer who targeted vulnerable elderly individuals in Sacramento, California. The episode begins with the case of Ruth Monroe, a 61-year-old woman who died suddenly after moving in with Puente. The podcast then explores Puente's troubled past, marked by abuse, neglect, and a history of unstable relationships and criminal activity. The episode highlights Puente's manipulative tactics, including her use of fake names, her grand motherly ruse, and her targeting of individuals with mental or physical disabilities. The podcast examines her modus operandi, which involved drugging her victims, stealing their money, and disposing of their bodies. The episode also explores the psychological perspective, suggesting a link between Puente's childhood trauma and her murderous rage. The podcast details Puente's escape from Sacramento after the discovery of human remains in her backyard and her subsequent capture in Los Angeles. The episode concludes with a description of the investigation into Puente's crimes, the discovery of evidence, and her trial, which resulted in her conviction for multiple murders. The podcast provides a comprehensive account of Puente's life and crimes, highlighting the complexities of her personality and the devastating impact of her actions.

Outlines

00:00:25
The Case of Ruth Monroe and Dorothea Puente's Early Life

The episode begins with the story of Ruth Monroe, a 61-year-old woman who became paralyzed and died suddenly after moving in with her friend Dorothea Puente. The chapter then delves into Dorothea Puente's childhood, marked by abuse and neglect, and her early adulthood, characterized by unstable relationships and criminal activity.

00:05:10
Dorothea Puente's Criminal History and Modus Operandi

The episode explores Dorothea Puente's history of drugging and robbing elderly people, highlighting her manipulative tactics and the lack of evidence that initially prevented her arrest. The chapter analyzes Dorothea Puente's consistent patterns of deception, including her use of fake names, her grand motherly ruse, and her targeting of vulnerable individuals.

00:36:31
Psychological Perspective and Dorothea Puente's Escape and Capture

A psychiatrist for the defense links Dorothea Puente's childhood trauma and resentment to her murderous rage, suggesting a connection between her past and her crimes. This chapter details Dorothea Puente's escape from Sacramento after the discovery of human remains in her backyard and her subsequent capture in Los Angeles.

00:41:56
The Investigation, Trial, and Legacy of Dorothea Puente

The episode describes the investigation into Dorothea Puente's crimes, the discovery of evidence, and her trial, which resulted in her conviction for multiple murders. The chapter reflects on the impact of Dorothea Puente's crimes and her legacy as a notorious serial killer.

Keywords

Serial Killer


A person who commits two or more murders, typically with a cooling-off period between each killing. Serial killers often have a specific pattern or motive for their crimes.

Modus Operandi


The method of operation used by a criminal, often characterized by specific patterns or behaviors. In the case of Dorothea Puente, her modus operandi involved targeting vulnerable elderly individuals, drugging them, and stealing their money.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder


A personality disorder characterized by an inflated sense of self-importance, a need for admiration, and a lack of empathy. Individuals with narcissistic personality disorder often exploit others to achieve their own goals.

Pathological Liar


A person who habitually lies, even when there is no apparent benefit to doing so. Pathological lying can be a symptom of various mental health conditions, including personality disorders.

Dorothea Puente


A notorious American serial killer who preyed on vulnerable elderly individuals in Sacramento, California. She was convicted of three murders and suspected of killing many more.

Q&A

  • What were some of the key factors that contributed to Dorothea Puente's criminal behavior?

    Dorothea Puente's childhood trauma, including abuse and neglect, played a significant role in shaping her personality and her propensity for criminal activity. Her unstable relationships and history of deception further contributed to her development as a ruthless predator.

  • How did Dorothea Puente manage to evade detection for so long?

    Dorothea Puente was skilled at manipulating people and creating a facade of harmlessness. She used fake names, targeted vulnerable individuals, and often exploited the trust of those around her. Additionally, the lack of direct evidence in some of her early crimes prevented her arrest.

  • What were some of the key pieces of evidence that led to Dorothea Puente's conviction?

    The discovery of human remains in Dorothea Puente's backyard, along with evidence of drugging and theft, provided crucial evidence for the prosecution. The presence of sedatives in the bodies of her victims further strengthened the case against her.

Show Notes

Former FBI agent and criminal profiler Candice DeLong delves into the case of Dorothea Puente, a murderer who primarily found her victims at the boarding house she oversaw. Dorothea hid behind a kind, grandmotherly facade, all the while stealing from and killing her residents.


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Comments (2)

lil john

I found a video of the day the detective and her parole office came to her house…very long video unedited..you can find the video on archive.org..it even shows the part where she was standing outside with the cops and then you see her leave..right before they found the first body..it’s crazy how close the her neighbors house was and she buried a body right up against the fences..the neighbors had no clue..that’s scary..

Aug 28th
Reply

KBB

The sequence of events is mixed up In this one.

Aug 27th
Reply
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Encore - Dorothea Puente: Killer Landlord

Encore - Dorothea Puente: Killer Landlord