In this chilling conclusion to Mind of a Killer, host Anneliese Chase examines Richard Trenton Chase—the “Vampire of Sacramento”—who murdered six people in 1977–78, drinking their blood and mutilating their bodies. We trace his descent from a tortured childhood of animal cruelty and untreated schizophrenic delusions to a horrifying killing spree fueled by paranoid psychosis. Through expert analysis and firsthand accounts, we explore how genetic vulnerability and environmental neglect combined to create one of America’s most disturbing killers. Join us as we ask: could early intervention have saved lives, and how can society better support those at risk before it’s too late?

📧 Email us at info@nationalhumanservices.org for details on how to get involved with The Student Podcast Collaborative.

In collaboration with Assumption University. This content is used for educational purposes.

About the Project: For our second Student Podcast Collaborative series, Communication & Media majors will produce an all-new, three-episode, 90-minute podcast capstone. These students move from theory to practice—pitching ideas, writing scripts, recording and editing episodes, and finally publishing their original shows. Each series tackles both personal and societal topics, allowing hosts to flex their storytelling, research, and production muscles. By working in a long-form audio format—one of the fastest-growing areas in media—students gain first-hand experience with the creative possibilities and practical challenges of communication technology.