Scams, Money, & Murder

This week in crime history, we revisit two of the most infamous killers of the 20th century — men whose charm masked unimaginable evil.On December 30th, 1977, Ted Bundy slipped through the ceiling of his Colorado jail cell and vanished into the night, igniting one of the most infamous manhunts in American history. His escape would lead to more murders and cement his place as one of the world’s most notorious serial killers.Then, we travel back to January 3rd, 1972, when John Wayne Gacy — a seemingly ordinary suburban businessman known for his charity work and clown performances — claimed his first victim. Over the next six years, Gacy would lure and murder more than 30 young men, hiding many of their bodies beneath his home.Join Vanessa Richardson as she unpacks the twisted psychology and lasting impact of these two killers who redefined how America sees evil — reminding us that the most dangerous monsters often look just like everyone else. If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Scams, Money and Murder to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Scams, Money and Murder is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Crime House Daily, Killer Minds, Murder True Crime Stories and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow me on Social Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia YouTube: @crimehousestudios To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 1975, 22 year-old Travis Walton was struck by a blinding light in the Arizona forest and vanished without a trace. Five days later, he returned with a story that defied belief. In this episode of Crimes Of… Sabrina and Corinne uncover the truth behind the Travis Walton Incident: the alien abduction case that made headlines and still haunts UFO history.Follow Crimes Of… on your podcast app: https://play.megaphone.fm/l-fgzmmsrty0mrmlpcbplq To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 1995, a woman checked into Oslo’s Plaza Hotel under a fake name. Days later, she was found dead in her room: no ID, no fingerprints, and no one looking for her. In this episode of Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes, we investigate the chilling mystery of the Oslo Plaza Woman and why some believe she wasn’t just hiding… she was hunted.Follow Conspiracy Theories, Cults, and Crimes on your podcast app: https://play.megaphone.fm/ms_2vf9sseom8vg1sudtfg To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

She was vibrant, loved, and days away from motherhood. He was calculating, distant, and hiding more than one secret. This episode of Clues with Morgan Absher and Kaelyn Moore dissects the chilling puzzle behind Laci Peterson’s murder—and the evidence that finally exposed the man behind it. Morgan and Kaelyn examine how a wandering dog, a secret boat, and one woman’s brave confession cracked open the case.Follow Clues on your podcast app: https://play.megaphone.fm/ncxyvfrqra2kga8a5zubzg To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On Christmas Eve 2008, the Ortega family gathered at their home in Covina, California, for their annual holiday celebration. Laughter, food, and music filled the night—until a man dressed as Santa Claus knocked on their door. In Part 2 of The Santa Claus Massacre, Carter Roy reveals the shocking and tragic events that unfolded that night, when 45-year-old Bruce Pardo—Sylvia Ortega’s embittered ex-husband—turned holiday cheer into unimaginable horror. What began as a festive family gathering ended in one of California’s deadliest crimes. This episode traces Bruce’s meticulously planned attack, the inferno that followed, and the chilling aftermath that left investigators searching for answers—and a surviving family struggling to rebuild their lives. But out of the ashes, hope emerged: a story of survival, resilience, and the enduring strength of the human spirit.Follow Murder: True Crime Stories on your podcast app: https://play.megaphone.fm/6g4bv3tos9yn9abg2yeakg To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices