13 O’Clock Episode 481: Charles Schmid – The Pied Piper of Tucson

6 Nov 2025 / Jenny Ashford / Leave a comment

Charles Howard Schmid Jr., known as “The Pied Piper of Tucson,” was an American serial killer whose crimes shocked Arizona in the mid-1960s. Born in 1942 and raised in Tucson, Schmid cultivated an eccentric persona—wearing makeup, dyeing his hair jet-black, stuffing his boots to appear taller, and imitating Elvis Presley. Charismatic to many teenagers yet deeply insecure, he manipulated a group of younger followers who admired his rebellious image. Schmid committed his first known murder in 1964, killing 15-year-old Aileen Rowe with the help of teenage accomplices. For months, the crime remained hidden. In 1965, he murdered Gretchen Fritz, an 18-year-old girlfriend who knew of his earlier crime, and her younger sister Wendy, fearing she would expose him. Their bodies were buried in the desert outside Tucson. The charismatic façade began to crumble as those around Schmid grew uneasy, and rumors circulated. Eventually, one of his close acquaintances went to police. Schmid was arrested, tried, and convicted of multiple murders, receiving a death sentence that was later commuted to 50 years to life after Arizona briefly abolished capital punishment. While in prison, Schmid attempted escape and was later severely injured by fellow inmates. He died in 1975 from wounds inflicted during a prison attack, at age 32. Schmid’s case drew national media attention, inspiring magazine features—most notably a 1966 article in Life—and influencing pop culture, including Joyce Carol Oates’ short story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” His story remains a disturbing example of charm weaponized as manipulation and the dark side of teenage idolization.

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13 O’Clock Movie Time: After Alice (aka The Eye of the Killer) (2000)

21 Oct 2025 / Jenny Ashford / Leave a comment

Tom and Jenny discuss a somewhat obscure supernatural thriller from 2000, starring Kiefer Sutherland as a world-weary detective who develops psychic powers just as a long-dormant serial killer supposedly reemerges. It’s also known as The Eye of the Killer.

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13 O’Clock Movie Time: Dangerous Animals (2025)

7 Oct 2025 / Jenny Ashford / Leave a comment

Tom and Jenny discuss Sean Byrne’s excellent 2025 survival horror film about a seagoing serial killer who feeds his victims to sharks. Thanks Brian for sending us the movie!

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13 O’Clock Episode 475: Keith Hunter Jesperson – The Happy Face Killer

25 Sep 2025 / Jenny Ashford / Leave a comment

Keith Hunter Jesperson is an American serial killer who murdered at least eight women across the United States and Canada between 1990 and 1995, primarily along interstate highways where he worked as a long-haul truck driver. Known as the “Happy Face Killer” for his habit of drawing smiley faces on anonymous confession letters he sent to newspapers and police, Jesperson targeted vulnerable women, often hitchhikers or sex workers, whom he strangled and dumped in remote areas. His first confirmed victim was Taunja Bennett, 23, killed in January 1990 near Portland, Oregon. He claimed up to 160 murders but was convicted of eight. Jesperson’s taunting letters, signed with smiley faces, began in 1990, frustrating investigators until his 1995 arrest in Washington after he confessed to killing Julie Winningham during an interrogation. Arrested on March 30, 1995, Jesperson pleaded guilty to multiple murders, receiving life sentences without parole in Oregon, Washington, and California. Now 70, he remains incarcerated at Oregon State Penitentiary, occasionally corresponding with true crime enthusiasts.

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13 O’Clock Episode 471: The Storyville Slayer

28 Aug 2025 / Jenny Ashford / Leave a comment

The Storyville Slayer, also known as the New Orleans Serial Killer, is an unidentified perpetrator believed to be responsible for the murders of at least 12 to as many as 27 women, predominantly Black and transgender individuals involved in prostitution and often struggling with drug addiction, in and around New Orleans, Louisiana, between 1991 and 1996. The killer’s modus operandi typically involved rape followed by strangulation, beating, or drowning, with victims’ nude bodies dumped in remote locations such as swamps, canals, ditches, or along highways near Lake Pontchartrain, leading to severe decomposition and challenges in identification and evidence collection. Suspects included New Orleans police officer Victor Gant, who was investigated but never charged due to inconclusive DNA evidence in at least two cases, and taxi driver Russell Ellwood, who was convicted in 1999 of one related murder (Cheryl Lewis) and sentenced to life imprisonment without parole before dying in prison in 2014. Despite these developments and a 1997 hoax call to the Howard Stern Show claiming responsibility for 12 killings, the majority of the murders remain unsolved.

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13 O’Clock Episode 470: Stephen Port – The Grindr Killer

21 Aug 2025 / Jenny Ashford / Leave a comment

Stephen John Port, born February 22, 1975, in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, is a British serial killer and rapist known as the “Grindr Killer.” Between June 2014 and September 2015, he murdered four young gay men—Anthony Walgate (23), Gabriel Kovari (22), Daniel Whitworth (21), and Jack Taylor (25)—in Barking, East London. Port lured his victims through gay dating apps, primarily Grindr, using false personas, claiming to be an Oxford graduate or Royal Navy member. He drugged them with lethal doses of GHB, a date-rape drug, raped them, and dumped their bodies near his flat, often with planted GHB bottles to suggest overdoses.

Port, a former chef who worked at a Stagecoach bus depot, lived alone in Barking. Described as a loner with a childlike personality, he had a history of bullying and came out as gay in his mid-twenties. His method involved spiking drinks with GHB, rendering victims unconscious, and he also assaulted several other men. Three victims were found in the graveyard of St Margaret’s Church, Barking, two by the same dog walker. A fake suicide note planted with Whitworth’s body falsely implicated him in Kovari’s death.

Initially, police failed to link the deaths, treating them as non-suspicious overdoses, despite concerns from victims’ families and similarities in the cases. Port was briefly imprisoned for perverting the course of justice after lying about Walgate’s death but continued killing after his release. It was only after Taylor’s death, prompted by family advocacy and CCTV evidence, that police connected the cases. Port was arrested on October 15, 2015, and convicted on November 23, 2016, of four murders, multiple rapes, sexual assaults, and administering poison. He received a whole-life sentence, ensuring he will never be released, and is incarcerated at HMP Belmarsh.

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THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SUPPORTERS! The show is made possible by: Allison, Amanda, Amanda O., Amber, Ambition Writing, Amy H., Anthony, Antonio, Arezo, Arif, Armand, Ashley, Austin, Ben, BlackMarigold, Blake, Brad, Brandon, Brian, Bryce, Bunjip, Bunny, Cady, Calexico Mom, Cami, Chris, Christopher, Ciarra, Cody, Corinthian, creepy crepes, D. Newton, Dae, Damian, Dan, Darkskull, Darren, Dave B., David P., Dean, Denise, Dermot, Dominic, Duncan, Dwayne, Ed, Elizabeth, Elliot, Eric, Erin, Esther, Fade, Feeky, Gareth, Geare, Ginger, Gramthars Hammer, Greg, Gwen, Gwendoline, Hanna, Hayden, Heather, HoboNasty, Holly, Hugo, Iain, Ilse, Ima Shrew, Jaime, Jake A., Jake S., James, James H., Jamin, Jana & Scott, Janet, Jason, Jason W., Jeanette, Jen, Jessica, Jesus, Jill, Joanie, Jocifer, Joe, John A. Brown, John H., John M., Jon R., Jonathan, Jonathan H., Joseph, Juli, Juliana, Justin, Justyn, Karin, Kat, Katrina, Keith, Kelley G., Ken, Kieron, Knothead Studios, Kool Kitty, Lana, Lars, Leander, Liam, Lindsey, Logan, Lonna, Lynx_13, Macy, Marcus, Mark, Mary Ellen, Master of Dungeons, Matt, Matthew, Maximillian, Melanie, Melissa, Melissa G., Michael, Miguel, Mike, Mother of Beasts, Natalia, Nathalie, Nicodemus, Nilay, Noah, Oddcatt, Oli, out_running_erins, Paul, Poppa77 Morrison, Rabbit, Rachel, Rebecca, Rebecca L., Rebecca M., Richard J., Richard & Sheena, Rik, Rob, Robina, Ryan, Samantha, Sandra, Saul, Scarlett, Scott, Sean, seven lines, Shaebie, Shae-Nicole, Sheena, Sophie, Stephanie, Steven Vincent, Stop Prop, Sydney, Tabitha, Tammie, Tara, Terrie, TheMysteryGamer, Thomas, Thomm, Tiffany, Timothy, Tina, Travon, Trevor, Trey, Tyran, Valtrina, Vashti, Veronica, Via, Victor, Victoria, Victoria E., Virginia, Weaponsandstuff93, Will S., and Xánada.

13 O’Clock Episode 467: Serial Killer Arthur Shawcross – The Genesee River Killer

31 Jul 2025 / Jenny Ashford / Leave a comment

Arthur Shawcross, known as the “Genesee River Killer,” was an American serial killer active in Rochester, New York, during the late 1980s. Born on June 6, 1945, in Kittery, Maine, Shawcross had a troubled childhood marked by abuse and behavioral issues. He committed his first known murders in 1972, killing two children in Watertown, New York, for which he served 14 years in prison. Released in 1987, he relocated to Rochester and began targeting sex workers, murdering at least 11 women between 1988 and 1989. His crimes were characterized by extreme violence, including mutilation, and he often dumped victims’ bodies near the Genesee River. Arrested in January 1990, Shawcross confessed to the murders, claiming insanity due to childhood trauma and Vietnam War experiences, though these claims were disputed. Convicted of 11 murders, he was sentenced to life without parole and died in prison on November 10, 2008.

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THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SUPPORTERS! The show is made possible by: Allison, Amanda, Amanda O., Amber, Ambition Writing, Amy H., Anthony, Antonio, Arezo, Arif, Armand, Ashley, Austin, Ben, BlackMarigold, Blake, Brad, Brandon, Brian, Bryce, Bunjip, Bunny, Cady, Calexico Mom, Cami, Chris, Christopher, Ciarra, Cody, Corinthian, creepy crepes, D. Newton, Dae, Damian, Dan, Darkskull, Darren, Dave B., David P., Dean, Denise, Dermot, Dominic, Duncan, Dwayne, Ed, Elizabeth, Elliot, Eric, Erin, Esther, Fade, Feeky, Gareth, Geare, Ginger, Gramthars Hammer, Greg, Gwen, Gwendoline, Hanna, Hayden, Heather, HoboNasty, Holly, Hugo, Iain, Ilse, Ima Shrew, Jaime, Jake A., Jake S., James, James H., Jamin, Jana & Scott, Janet, Jason, Jason W., Jeanette, Jen, Jessica, Jesus, Jill, Joanie, Jocifer, Joe, John A. Brown, John H., John M., Jon R., Jonathan, Jonathan H., Joseph, Juli, Juliana, Justin, Justyn, Karin, Kat, Katrina, Keith, Kelley G., Ken, Kieron, Knothead Studios, Kool Kitty, Lana, Lars, Leander, Liam, Lindsey, Logan, Lonna, Lynx_13, Macy, Marcus, Mark, Mary Ellen, Master of Dungeons, Matt, Matthew, Maximillian, Melanie, Melissa, Melissa G., Michael, Miguel, Mike, Mother of Beasts, Natalia, Nathalie, Nicodemus, Nilay, Noah, Oddcatt, Oli, out_running_erins, Paul, Poppa77 Morrison, Rachel, Rebecca, Rebecca L., Rebecca M., Richard J., Richard & Sheena, Rik, Rob, Robina, Ryan, Samantha, Sandra, Saul, Scarlett, Scott, Sean, seven lines, Shaebie, Shae-Nicole, Sheena, Sophie, Stephanie, Steven Vincent, Stop Prop, Sydney, Tabitha, Tammie, Tara, Terrie, TheMysteryGamer, Thomas, Thomm, Tiffany, Timothy, Tina, Travon, Trevor, Trey, Tyran, Valtrina, Vashti, Veronica, Via, Victor, Victoria, Victoria E., Virginia, Weaponsandstuff93, Will S., and Xánada.

13 O’Clock Episode 465: Jerry Brudos – The Shoe Fetish Slayer

17 Jul 2025 / Jenny Ashford / Leave a comment

Jerry Brudos, known as the “Shoe Fetish Slayer,” was an American serial killer active in Oregon during the late 1960s. Born on January 31, 1939, Brudos developed an obsessive fetish for women’s shoes and clothing from a young age, which later escalated into violent criminal behavior. Between 1968 and 1969, he murdered at least four women: Linda Slawson, Jan Susan Whitney, Karen Sprinker, and Linda Salee. His crimes involved luring victims to his home, where he killed them, often engaging in necrophilia and keeping body parts as trophies, along with their shoes and clothing. Brudos targeted young women, using his charisma and seemingly normal demeanor to gain their trust. He was married with children and maintained a facade of normalcy, working as an electrician. His fetish-driven murders were marked by meticulous planning, including using his garage as a “workshop” for his crimes. After his arrest in 1969, following a survivor’s tip to police, authorities found incriminating evidence, including photographs and victims’ belongings, in his home. Convicted in 1969, Brudos was sentenced to life imprisonment and died in prison on March 28, 2006, from liver cancer. His case remains notable for its psychological insight into fetish-driven serial killing, with his obsession with shoes and female clothing being a central motive.

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13 O’Clock Episode 463: Cannibal Serial Killer and Human Meat Vendor Karl Denke

3 Jul 2025 / Jenny Ashford / Leave a comment

Karl Denke, born on August 12, 1870, in Münsterberg, Silesia (now Ziębice, Poland), was a German serial killer and cannibal known as the “Cannibal of Münsterberg” or “The Forgotten Cannibal.” Operating between 1903 and 1924, he is believed to have murdered and cannibalized at least 30 to 40 homeless vagrants and travelers. Denke, often called “Papa Denke” due to his outwardly kind and religious persona, was a respected figure in his community, volunteering as a cross-bearer and organist at the local Lutheran church until he left in 1906.

Born into a wealthy farming family, Denke was a quiet, soft-spoken child who struggled academically and ran away from home at age 12. After his father’s death at age 25, he used his inheritance to buy land, but his farming venture failed, leading him to sell the property and settle in a small apartment on Stawowa Street. There, he ran a shop selling leather goods and boneless meat, which authorities later suspected contained human remains. Denke lured victims with promises of money or shelter, killed them by bludgeoning or strangling, and dismembered their bodies, using their flesh for consumption or sale as “pork” at local markets. He also crafted items like belts and shoelaces from human skin and hair.

His crimes went undetected for over two decades until December 21, 1924, when a victim, Vincenz Olivier, survived an axe attack and alerted authorities. Initially dismissed due to Denke’s reputation, Olivier’s claims prompted a police investigation. Denke was arrested but hanged himself in his cell before interrogation. A search of his home revealed gruesome evidence: jars of pickled human flesh, over 300 human teeth, 480 bones, blood-stained clothing, and a ledger detailing at least 31 victims, including names, dates, and “slaughter weights.” His first known victim was Ida Launer in 1903, followed by Emma Sander in 1909, among others.

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13 O’Clock Episode 461: Serial Killer Joe Ball – The Alligator Man

19 Jun 2025 / Jenny Ashford / Leave a comment

Joe Ball, infamously known as “The Alligator Man,” was a suspected American serial killer active during the 1930s in Elmendorf, Texas. A World War I veteran, Ball opened a bar called the Sociable Inn, where he kept live alligators in a pit behind the establishment to entertain patrons. He became the subject of a gruesome legend after several women connected to him—barmaids, girlfriends, and even his wife—began disappearing under mysterious circumstances. Rumors spread that Ball was disposing of the bodies by feeding them to his alligators. Although no conclusive evidence was ever found in the pit, human remains were later discovered elsewhere, and a handyman claimed Ball confessed to multiple murders. As law enforcement closed in on him in 1938, Ball died by suicide, leaving behind a legacy of horror and macabre folklore that still haunts Texas true crime history.

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And check out our cool merch at our Zazzle store, and some board and card games designed by Jenny at Giallo Games!

Visit Jenny’s Amazon author page! And check out our awesome cookbook!

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SUPPORTERS! The show is made possible by: Allison, Amanda, Amanda O., Amber, Ambition Writing, Amy H., Anthony, Antonio, Arezo, Arif, Armand, Ashley, Austin, Ben, BlackMarigold, Blake, Brad, Brandon, Brian, Bryce, Bunjip, Bunny, Cady, Calexico Mom, Cami, Chris, Christopher, Ciarra, Cody, Corinthian, creepy crepes, D. Newton, Dae, Damian, Dan, Darkskull, Darren, Dave B., David P., Dean, Denise, Dermot, Dominic, Duncan, Dwayne, Ed, Elizabeth, Elliot, Eric, Erin, Esther, Fade, Feeky, Gareth, Geare, Ginger, Gramthars Hammer, Greg, Gwen, Gwendoline, Hanna, Hayden, Heather, HoboNasty, Holly, Hugo, Iain, Ilse, Ima Shrew, Jaime, Jake A., Jake S., James, James H., Jamin, Jana & Scott, Janet, Jason, Jason W., Jeanette, Jen, Jessica, Jesus, Jill, Joanie, Jocifer, Joe, John A. Brown, John H., John M., Jon R., Jonathan, Jonathan H., Joseph, Juli, Juliana, Justin, Justyn, Karin, Kat, Katrina, Keith, Kelley G., Ken, Kieron, Knothead Studios, Kool Kitty, Lana, Lars, Leander, Liam, Lindsey, Logan, Lonna, Lynx_13, Macy, Marcus, Mark, Mary Ellen, Master of Dungeons, Matt, Matthew, Maximillian, Melanie, Melissa, Melissa G., Michael, Miguel, Mike, Mother of Beasts, Natalia, Nathalie, Nicodemus, Nilay, Noah, Oddcatt, Oli, out_running_erins, Paul, Poppa77 Morrison, Rachel, Rebecca, Rebecca L., Rebecca M., Richard J., Richard & Sheena, Rik, Rob, Robina, Ryan, Samantha, Sandra, Saul, Scarlett, Scott, Sean, seven lines, Shaebie, Shae-Nicole, Sheena, Sophie, Stephanie, Steven Vincent, Stop Prop, Sydney, Tabitha, Tammie, Tara, Terrie, TheMysteryGamer, Thomas, Thomm, Tiffany, Timothy, Tina, Travon, Trevor, Trey, Tyran, Valtrina, Vashti, Veronica, Via, Victor, Victoria, Victoria E., Virginia, Weaponsandstuff93, Will S., and Xánada.