Podcast Summary: Murder, Mystery & Makeup – "The Lipstick Killer: Murderer, Scapegoat, or Something Much Darker?"
Host: Bailey Sarian
Date: November 11, 2025
Podcast: Murder, Mystery & Makeup (Audioboom Studios)
Episode Theme: Unraveling the chilling story of Chicago’s infamous "Lipstick Killer"—was the man convicted truly guilty, or was he a scapegoat for a city desperate for answers?
Episode Overview
Bailey Sarian dives into the haunting case of the Chicago Lipstick Killer, a series of brutal murders in the 1940s marked by sensational headlines, a city-wide panic, and a controversial conviction. She explores the details of the crimes, the socio-historical context of wartime Chicago, the investigation’s flaws, and the subsequent doubts about the guilt of the man convicted: William Heirens. With her signature blend of vivid storytelling and candid commentary, Bailey asks—was he truly the killer, or just convenient for the authorities?
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Setting the Scene: Chicago in the 1940s
[03:48]
- Bailey paints a picture of 1945 Chicago: freezing winters, wartime factories, and a daily struggle for normalcy amid the chaos of WWII.
- The city’s newspapers were filled with stories of war—until the grisly murders took over the headlines.
"Chicago, 1945. It’s winter…something very dark was being uncovered." – Bailey [03:59]
The Victims & Discovery
[07:04]
- Josephine Ross: Divorced, working toward opening a restaurant; found brutally murdered in her ransacked apartment; no valuables taken, only pocket change.
- Frances Brown: Recently discharged from WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service); found dead in a similar fashion, her bloodied bed and a chilling message written on the wall in lipstick:
"For heaven’s sake, catch me before I kill more. I cannot control myself." – The Lipstick Killer [10:34]
- Suzanne Degnan: A six-year-old girl; kidnapped from her home, her dismembered remains discovered scattered through Chicago’s sewers; a ransom note was found, riddled with misspellings and chilling commands.
Public Panic and Media Frenzy
[13:49]
- Widespread fear grips the city; stores sell out of locks and window bars.
- Newspapers sell out every morning; headlines scream “Lipstick Killer Strikes Again.”
- Rumors swirl linking the murders to wartime resentments, class tension, and even Suzanne’s father’s government job.
The Investigation: Frustration and Fumbles
[17:51]
- Police chase countless leads, interrogate hundreds (with admitted misconduct, such as beating suspects), but every lead dries up.
- One suspect, Richard Thomas, a nurse with medical knowledge, confesses and matches the ransom note’s handwriting, but is dismissed by police.
"Investigators determined that most likely Richard was giving a false confession to try to avoid being prosecuted for his crime in Arizona." – Bailey [23:06]
The Arrest of William Heirens
[24:11]
- A botched burglary leads police to 17-year-old William Heirens, University of Chicago student; found with stolen goods, pistols, and a surgical kit.
- Also discovered: Nazi memorabilia and a notorious book on sexual deviance, fueling media speculation.
- Heirens’ fingerprint is deemed a “match” to a partial print on the ransom note (standards later debated).
Interrogation and "Confession"
[29:44]
- Heirens is denied legal counsel or contact with his parents for six days as police interrogate and reportedly beat him.
- Administered sodium pentothal (“truth serum”), he names a mysterious "George" as the killer, but police can’t find any such person and later claim it was an alter ego.
"'George cut her up. George is a bad boy. I tried to make George be a good boy.'" – William Heirens under sodium pentothal [32:00]
- Under extreme pressure, a confession is constructed with police and press involvement, but actual physical evidence tying Heirens to the murders remains lacking.
The Plea Deal and Sentencing
[39:20]
- Facing overwhelming press and police pressure, Heirens’ lawyer advises a plea deal—one life sentence in exchange for confession.
- Heirens refuses at the last minute, claiming innocence and calling out the process as a farce:
"'The truth is not guilty. He didn’t do it.' It was like the biggest middle finger." – Bailey [41:18]
- The plea deal is revoked; Heirens receives three consecutive life sentences.
Doubts and Legacy
[44:45]
- Despite serving 65 years, Heirens always maintains his innocence, seeking appeals and reexamination.
- The Illinois Supreme Court sharply condemns police misconduct but upholds the conviction due to the plea bargain.
- Handwriting experts and evidentiary standards cast doubt on the incriminating evidence; police are never disciplined for their conduct.
"His confession, it came after days of torture... and the press, they already labeled him guilty." – Bailey [50:41]
- Bailey lays out alternative theories—pointing back to Richard Thomas, the medical nurse, whose profile fit key elements.
- The question lingers: did Chicago ever catch the true killer, or did they convict a convenient scapegoat?
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On the infamous lipstick message:
"For heaven’s sake, catch me before I kill more. I cannot control myself." [10:34]
- On the city’s reaction:
"People stood in line to get the latest update, thinking that maybe…staying in the know…might keep them safe. And I get that, because I feel like we do that now." – Bailey [12:55]
- On police tactics:
"They interrogated hundreds of suspects...beat them up to in hopes to get confessions out of them. One poor man was tortured for like two days before being released." – Bailey [18:03]
- On Heirens’ alleged confession:
"'George cut her up. George is a bad boy. I tried to make George be a good boy.'" – William Heirens [32:00]
- On media manipulation:
"The press, they freaking made up their own false confession, and they ran it in the paper as fact, which is shocking..." – Bailey [39:53]
- On the fairness of the trial:
"His confession, it came after days of torture... the press, they already labeled him guilty. The evidence, not much better. The fingerprint…it was just a 7-point-whatever point match. When the FBI…requires a 12 point match." – Bailey [50:41]
- On the enduring mystery:
"Was William really the lipstick killer or just another victim? I don’t know." – Bailey [57:35]
Important Segment Timestamps
- Episode Introduction & Historical Context: [00:52 – 04:45]
- Victims & Details of Crimes: [07:04 – 14:10]
- Public Fear & Media Coverage: [13:49 – 17:51]
- Police Investigation & Suspects: [17:51 – 24:11]
- Arrest & Search of Heirens: [24:11 – 28:54]
- Interrogation & ‘Confession’: [29:44 – 38:09]
- Plea Deal, Trial & Sentencing: [39:20 – 44:45]
- Doubts, Appeals, and Heirens’ Legacy: [44:45 – 58:00]
- Episode Wrap-up & Reflection: [57:35 – End]
Conclusion
Bailey Sarian leaves listeners with unresolved questions about the Lipstick Killer case—casting skepticism on the conviction of William Heirens and pondering the possibility that the true murderer was never found. Her dynamic, conversational tone makes the grim topic engaging, and her focus on both forensic detail and the human cost adds emotional weight to this notorious chapter of true crime history.
For more chilling deep-dives, subscribe to Murder, Mystery & Makeup and join Bailey every Monday for more tales that blend the dark and the glamorous.
“Be safe out there, okay? Make good choices, and I’ll be seeing you guys later.” – Bailey Sarian [57:55]