Unsolved Mysteries - Bela Kiss

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Unsolved Mysteries – Bela Kiss

Podcast: Harold’s Old Time Radio
Host: Harold’s Old Time Radio
Episode Date: August 4, 2026
Episode Theme: A dramatized retelling of the infamous historical case of Bela Kiss, the so-called "Mystery Man of Europe," as presented in a vintage radio show format.

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Overview

This episode of Harold’s Old Time Radio delivers a gripping radio drama exploring the unsolved mystery of Bela Kiss, a notorious figure from early 20th-century Hungary accused of murdering multiple women. Set against the backdrop of pre-war Europe, the episode follows the efforts of the Budapest police as they piece together reports of missing women, eventually uncovering a series of heinous crimes connected to Kiss. The story weaves suspense, dramatic reenactment, and period-accurate dialogue in the style of classic radio theatre.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The First Frightening Encounter

• [00:21–04:06]
  • A terrified woman visits the Budapest chief of police, describing a harrowing experience with a man she met at the theater who attempted to kill her.
  • Quote:
    • Woman Witness: “He tried to kill me. It was horrible. I nearly died of fright.” [03:13]
  • The chief shows skepticism, brushing off her claims but promising to “look into the matter.”

2. Pattern of Attacks and Disappearances

• [04:06–05:14]
  • Three women in total recount similar stories, their descriptions of the man and the haunting castle matching.
  • The outbreak of World War I disrupts police efforts, but reports of missing women and gruesome discoveries grow.

3. Discovery at the Castle

• [05:14–06:39]
  • The chief, aided by a government official and detectives, investigates a local castle owned by Bela Kiss after learning about vats believed to contain gasoline.
  • Inside, they find five vats, each hiding the corpse of a woman with a distinct strangling mark.
  • Quote:
    • Narrator/Storyteller: “Horror stamps their faces as they see in each vat a naked woman and around each neck the bluish mark made by the strangler's cord.” [06:30]
  • A search of the garden uncovers 26 more bodies and over 160 pawn tickets linked to women’s possessions.

4. The Enigma of Bela Kiss’s Fate

• [06:39–07:41]
  • Initial belief is that Bela Kiss died in World War I in 1916.
  • The original witness is adamant he is still alive after seeing him post-war.
  • Quote:
    • Woman Witness: “I do not care. Do you think I could forget him? Never, never. I tell you. He is alive.” [07:33]

5. Renewed Horror and Further Investigation

• [07:41–10:55]
  • Similar murders begin anew, suggesting the killer survived and continues his crimes.
  • The chief investigates hospital records, discovering the possibility that Kiss faked his death by swapping identification with a dying soldier.
  • Quote:
    • Chief of Police: “Undoubtedly exchanged his identification disc and papers with the wounded man, knowing full well that the young boy would be buried as Bela Kees. And he, the monstrous wretch, free to pursue his murderous career unhindered.” [10:55]

6. The Trap and Final Confrontation

• [11:13–12:39]
  • To catch Kiss, the chief places an enticing personal ad mirroring Kiss’s modus operandi for luring victims.
  • Kiss falls for the trap and is spotted approaching the rendezvous point.
  • A dramatic chase ensues; Kiss is wounded but escapes by plunging into the Danube, his fate uncertain.
  • Quote:
    • Narrator/Storyteller: “But with one last effort, Bela Keys throws himself from the taxi, pulls himself over the parapet of the bridge, falls...and disappears forever under the foaming waters of the Danube.” [12:36]

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Memorable Quotes

• “In all the history of crime and criminals, the truth...was never better proved than in the amazing case of Bakis, the mystery man of Europe.”
  — Narrator/Storyteller [00:21]

• “Regular Bluebeard story. But the old woman, like all old women, was inquisitive.”
  — Chief of Police [05:58]

• “This man. Fiend is a better name. Has probably been responsible for the death of over 300 women.”
  — Chief of Police [10:16]

• “Coincidence. The World War, a search for gasoline. A nurse who remembered a patient provide the solution for a 15 year old unsolved mystery.”
  — Narrator/Storyteller [12:39]

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Key Timestamps

• [00:21] Opening lines and thematic poem
• [02:41–03:57] First woman’s testimony
• [04:06–05:14] Pattern of attacks, buildup to the castle investigation
• [06:09–06:39] Horrifying discovery in the vats
• [07:18–07:41] First witness’s return; doubts about Kiss’s death
• [10:02–10:55] Chief investigates hospital records, unearths death swap theory
• [11:35–12:39] Trap set, Kiss’s final escape
• [12:39] Closing narration and unresolved ending

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Tone & Atmosphere

The episode is filled with dramatic tension, leveraging classic radio drama tropes: ominous narration, suspenseful dialogue, and period details. Dialogue is stylized, echoing early crime fiction—at times skeptical, authoritative, or fraught with terror. The dramatization emphasizes the feeling of paranoia and horror prevalent in early-20th-century Europe during the case.

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Summary

This episode offers a chilling dramatization of the Bela Kiss case, blending historical fact with dramatic supposition. Through police investigations, close calls, and unresolved mysteries, listeners are swept into a story where truth is elusive and justice is never quite done. The vintage radio style provides an atmospheric, immersive retelling for fans of historical true crime and classic storytelling.

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Transcript

[Narrator/Announcer]

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[Narrator/Storyteller]

Unsolved myster. Out of deference to persons who may still be living, character names in some of these true unsolved mysteries have been changed. The moving finger writes, and having writ, moves on. Nor all thy piety nor wit can lure it back to cancel half a line. Nor all thy tears wash out a word of it. In all the history of crime and criminals, the truth of that quotation was never better proved than in the amazing case of Bakis, the mystery man of Europe. It is the year 1914. The scene is the office of the chief of police in Budapest. The chief is seated behind his desk, while in the doorway stands a woman. Her face is white. Terror stares from her eyes and her hands tremble as she tears her tiny handkerchief to pieces.

[Woman Witness]

But Chief, you must believe me. Your assistant does not. But I tell you someone will be killed if you do not listen to what I have to say.

[Chief of Police]

Now sit down, my child.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Calm yourself.

[Chief of Police]

I am ready to listen to your story.

[Woman Witness]

Last night I went to the theater. I sat next to a gentleman. He looked like a gentleman. We spoke about the program. You understand?

[Chief of Police]

I understand. And having spoken to him of the program, he suggested you have supper.

[Woman Witness]

Yes. We went for a drive in his motor car.

[Chief of Police]

And he asked you how you would like to visit his home.

[Woman Witness]

Yes, sir. But how?

[Chief of Police]

How do I know? It is always the same story. Of how much money did he rob you?

[Woman Witness]

Money? That I had no money. He did not rob me. He. He tried to kill me. It was horrible. I nearly died of fright.

[Chief of Police]

I know now complete the story.

[Woman Witness]

I went to his home. My cousin was. He asked if I would like to have my fortune told. I said yes. He told me to gaze in the crystal globe. But first he gave me some pale yellow vine to drink.

[Chief of Police]

Go on.

[Woman Witness]

I felt my senses sleeping away from me. I was feeling hard in the crystal. A shadow. I know not what made me glance in the mirror I saw him. He stood behind me, his eyes glaring green. They were eyes of his face, almost black. And in his hand he held a piece of green silk cord. It was looped and had his slip knot. He was going to slip it over my head.

[Chief of Police]

Yes. And then?

[Woman Witness]

Then I fainted. The next thing I knew I was lying among the shrubbery in er party.

[Chief of Police]

Very well. We will look into the matter.

[Woman Witness]

You do not believe me, do you?

[Chief of Police]

Oh, I would not say that, no. I.

[Woman Witness]

Someday you will regret. Goodbye.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Three weeks later, a wealthy society woman tells a similar story to the Budapest chief of police. Four weeks later, another. In each instance, the description given by the women of the castle of the fiend who drugged them is the same. The world war breaks out and the police department is disrupted. But the citizens of Vienna and Budapest are terrified at the alarming number of missing women. On farms, in gardens, behind hedges, in abandoned buildings, bodies in various stages of decomposition are found. And all are bodies of women. The chief is frantic and with a woman assistant and two detectives scouring the countryside in search of a building that will answer the description of the castle. He meets a government official. Well, Chief, what are you doing out here? Seeing the country.

[Chief of Police]

What are you doing?

[Narrator/Storyteller]

He answered. The government has ordered the seizure of all gasoline for the war. You see, I'm detailed to this district. I'm in a few minutes going to that castle upon the hill.

[Chief of Police]

The castle? May we go with you?

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Certainly. It will be a pleasure. Oh, this is Herr Hartmann. He is a gentleman who told us there was gasoline store at the castle. But. Get into the car, we should be off.

[Chief of Police]

Oh, yes, indeed.

[Woman Witness]

Around here it's an unusual country.

[Chief of Police]

You know, there is a tragic story behind that castle. Yes, indeed.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Ja.

[Chief of Police]

Baila Kiss. He owned the castle as a very beautiful wife. They were so happy. Everybody in the village was happy in their love. But alas, she disappeared. For Bela Kiss was desolate. She had run away with the younger man. It was terrible. What. What did he look like, this Belarquis? He was a handsome man. Tall, elegant, thin faced, I would say.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

And black haired.

[Chief of Police]

High cheekbones.

[Woman Witness]

Ah, it's the same man.

[Chief of Police]

It's the description given by these different women. All right. You're looking for him? Yeah, we certainly are. But go on. What is the finish to the story? The old woman went to do the cleaning at the castle bailey. Keith told her she must not go

[Narrator/Storyteller]

into a certain room.

[Chief of Police]

Regular Bluebeard story. But the old woman, like all old women, was inquisitive.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

She looked and saw what?

[Chief of Police]

Five big vats.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

We have good reason to believe these vats contain gasoline.

[Chief of Police]

But here we are at the place.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

We'll soon know for certain. Out of the car pour the officers. The empty castle rings to their footsteps as they make their way to the forbidden room. Strangely enough, the key is in the lock. The door creaks. There are the five vats against the wall. A strong odor of alcohol. They move forward and look into the vats. Horror stamps their faces as they see in each vat a naked woman and around each neck the bluish mark made by the strangler's cord.

[Chief of Police]

Name of all the saints. Where is the rapis? This is ghastly. I have come to find gasoline and I find five corpses. Five? Yes, but with all the corpses found throughout the city.

[Woman Witness]

The garden. Get the men to dig the garden.

[Chief of Police]

I shall have a gun. On the instant I shall have it done. Yes. And you have you know of this monster? This Bela piece?

[Narrator/Storyteller]

I.

[Chief of Police]

Where is he? He was killed in the war.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

26 bodies of women were found buried in Bela kiss's garden. Over 160 pawn tickets relating to the women's wearing apparel and jewelry. Furious that death in the war had cheated in the capture of the monster, the chief returned to Budapest and tried to forget the horror of the five vats. The war over. The chief is sitting in his office when through the door bursts the woman who had first warned him of Berachis.

[Woman Witness]

I have seen him. I saw him today, not half hour ago.

[Chief of Police]

Why? Who? What are you talking about?

[Woman Witness]

The man who tried to kill me at the castle. I saw him, I tell you.

[Chief of Police]

Oh, impossible. I have checked. He was killed in Serbia in 1916. See, here are the records. I have kept them. Bella Kiss died of wounds August 9, 1916.

[Woman Witness]

I do not care. Do you think I could forget him? Never, never. I tell you. He is alive. This scene.

[Chief of Police]

It is impossible, I tell you. Bela Kiss is dead.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

But soon the chief was to doubt his vehement assertions. For within a month he was to hear another story of a woman almost strangled under identical circumstances, although at a different place from the now empty castle. Besides this, the terror of missing women returned to haunt the citizens. And once again the decomposed bodies of long dead women were found in desolate places. In just a moment you will hear a solution to the strange case of Bella Keith, the mystery man of Europe.

[Woman Witness]

Sam.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

One. Ladies and gentlemen, in as much as any solution must of necessity be supposition, liberties of time, place and character have been taken in the solution for which you have been waiting. The solution of why the murders continued in the same manner as before Bayla Kisses reported death in the war is taken from the statements of the chief of police of Budapest, who supplied the information which to the best of our beliefs has never been published in American newspapers. The scene is the hospital in which Bela Kees had been reported as having died of wounds. The chief of police, remembering how the first woman had warned him of the fiend's activities, determines to carry his investigation further than the official army records reporting death. The chief questions a nurse.

[Chief of Police]

You of course know the murders in under round Vienna.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

And beautiful.

[Woman Witness]

Yes, naturally. Although like everyone else on war service, I was too busy to really keep up with the report.

[Chief of Police]

Well, we did not give all our

[Narrator/Storyteller]

information to the press.

[Chief of Police]

We decided we would have more success by keeping something secret.

[Woman Witness]

I can understand that.

[Chief of Police]

Now. This man. Fiend is a better name. Has probably been responsible for the death of over 300 women. I would like to find out if there are any hospital records other than the official report of Bela Keith's death.

[Woman Witness]

You don't mean that Bela Keith is the man you suspect?

[Chief of Police]

I do. In fact. It isn't suspicion, it is an established fact.

[Woman Witness]

But that's impossible. I nurse Bay Laches to die and a young and pious minded boy of 20 could hardly.

[Chief of Police]

20 when Belaquis was over 40.

[Woman Witness]

Not the Belaquis who died here in this hospital. He was a young boy, I tell you. And I know I missed him till he died.

[Chief of Police]

Ah, then I have resolution. How badly wounded was Belaquice when he was brought here?

[Woman Witness]

I never was any hope that he might recover. Anyone could have seen that he must die.

[Chief of Police]

And Beletus, the real Beletus, undoubtedly exchanged his identification disc and papers with the wounded man, knowing full well that the young boy would be buried as Bayla Kees. And he, the monstrous wretch, free to pursue his murderous career unhindered. But I'll get him.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

I'll get him back to Budapest. Races the chief for four days he works feverishly, taking no one into his confidence but ordering his men to stand by one night to a house on the outskirts of town Drive two police cars filled with officers. The chief leads the way from the back of the house to one of the upper rooms. Now listen, you men.

[Chief of Police]

Listen. I want absolute silence. I am decided in my own mind that Veda Kiss has trapped the various women he has killed by advertisements in the papers. So I decided to use his methods and inserted this advertisement. I'll read it. Young woman, widow with moderate fortune and with moderately good looks. Desires company of men of culture, preferably 40 or over. Must be tall and dark object matrimony. And you expect Bela Kiss to answer that? He has answered it. He'll be here.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

A taxi at the door.

[Chief of Police]

A man is getting out.

[Woman Witness]

Ah, cheese.

[Chief of Police]

Bela Keyse. He looked up.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

He's getting back into detachment.

[Chief of Police]

Ah.

[Woman Witness]

After him, please.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

Down the stairs. Rush the police. The taxi with Belaquis standing on the running board speeds toward the river with the police car in pursuit.

[Woman Witness]

He's going to shoot.

[Chief of Police]

Bela Key slumps.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

He's hit, but he hangs on.

[Chief of Police]

The taxi, reaches the bridge. Another burst of bullets, several shots take effect.

[Narrator/Storyteller]

But with one last effort, Bela Keys throws himself from the taxi, pulls himself over the parapet of the bridge, falls

[Chief of Police]

like a plummet

[Narrator/Storyteller]

and disappears forever under the foaming waters of the Danube. And so, coincidence. The World War, A search for gasoline. A nurse who remembered a patient provide the solution for a 15 year old unsolved mystery. Bellakis, the mystery man of Europe.

[Woman Witness]

We the ones still showing up.

[Narrator/Announcer]

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[Narrator/Storyteller]

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