Murder, Mystery & Makeup: Women Who Kill – Detailed Summary

Podcast Information:

• Title: Murder, Mystery & Makeup
• Host/Author: Audioboom Studios
• Episode: Women Who Kill: 3+ Hours of True Crime
• Release Date: July 22, 2025

Overview: In this three-hour compilation episode of "Women Who Kill," hosted by Bailey Sarian from Audioboom Studios, listeners are taken on a deep dive into some of the most chilling true crime cases involving female perpetrators. Combining her expertise in true crime and passion for makeup artistry, Bailey presents a gripping narrative that uncovers the dark motives and intricate details behind each case.

1. Paul Bernardo and Carla Homolka: The Ken and Barbie Killers

Timestamp: [00:00] – [33:46]

Bailey begins the episode with the infamous case of Paul Bernardo and Carla Homolka, infamously dubbed the "Ken and Barbie Killers." This section covers their turbulent relationship, escalating violence, and eventual capture.

• Meeting and Relationship Dynamics:

  • Paul Bernardo, a 23-year-old accounting student, meets Carla Homolka, a 17-year-old high school student, at a pet food convention in Scarborough on October 17, 1987.
  • Their instant connection leads to a swift relationship, despite the significant age difference and Paul's troubling past, including voyeuristic behavior and violent fantasies.

• Escalation of Crimes:

  • By 1989, their relationship deteriorates, becoming abusive and violent.
  • On December 23, 1990, Carla and Paul drug and murder Carla’s 15-year-old sister, Tammy Homolka, in a heinous act they record as a "Christmas present."

  Bailey Sarian (00:00): "These are just a few stories in this five-part compilation."

• Further Murders and Capture:

  • July 29, 1991: During their wedding day, the body parts of their 14-year-old victim, Leslie Mahaffy, are found in Lake Gibson, leading to increased police scrutiny.
  • Investigation delays due to slow DNA testing techniques culminate in Carla's confession and subsequent cooperation with authorities to testify against Paul in exchange for a reduced sentence.

• Trial and Aftermath:

  • Carla's lackluster defense during questioning contrasts sharply with the gravity of their crimes.
  • Paul Bernardo is eventually convicted of multiple charges, including murder and sexual assault, and sentenced to life imprisonment in 1995.

  Bailey Sarian (32:19): "Her emotion comes out over these, these glasses that Paul decided to use to drug the girls with."

• Great Debate:

  • The episode highlights the controversy surrounding Carla Homolka's plea deal, questioning whether she received a disproportionately lenient sentence compared to her crimes.

2. Louise: A Trail of Deceit and Murder

Timestamp: [34:16] – [81:58]

The next case delves into the life of Louise, a woman whose manipulative and violent tendencies lead to multiple murders and ultimately her execution.

• Early Life and Marriages:

  • Louise, born in 1880, leads a life marked by deceit, starting with her expulsion from a private school for stealing and inappropriate behavior.
  • Throughout her life, Louise engages in multiple marriages, each ending violently:
    • First Marriage: To Henry Bosley, which ends in his suicide after discovering her infidelity.
    • Second Marriage: To Harry, who dies under mysterious circumstances shortly after their marriage.
    • Third Marriage: To Richard Peet, which ends in separation and eventual her move to Los Angeles.

• Pattern of Violence:

  • Louise's relationships consistently end in the deaths of her husbands and lovers, often involving manipulation, deceit, and murder.
  • April 30, 1932: The murder of Richard Peet leads to her trial, where despite her attempts to portray herself as a victim, evidence points to her complicity.

  Bailey Sarian (43:11): "She just was excited. But yeah, I think she should have spent a lot more time behind bars."

• Conviction and Execution:

  • After a series of trials and appeals, Louise is ultimately convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death.
  • April 11, 1948: Louise is executed by gas chamber, marking the end of her tumultuous and murderous life.

• Post-Conviction Behavior:

  • Throughout her imprisonment, Louise maintains a facade of innocence, engaging in activities like gardening and assisting in the prison newspaper.
  • Despite multiple opportunities to reform, her true nature remains unaltered, leading to her eventual execution.

  Bailey Sarian (82:16): "And she just had everything all figured out. She's one step ahead."

3. Tracy Wigginton: The Lesbian Vampire Killer

Timestamp: [81:58] – [125:58]

Bailey presents the eerie and controversial case of Tracy Wigginton, dubbed the "Lesbian Vampire Killer," exploring the intersection of psychological trauma and violent crime.

• Traumatic Upbringing:

  • Tracy Wigginton, born in 1965 in Rockhampton, Australia, experiences severe abuse from her adoptive grandfather and grandmother, leading to psychological scars.
  • Early signs of her troubled psyche include aggressive behavior and fascination with dark subjects like witchcraft and vampirism.

• Descent into Violence:

  • As an adult, Tracy leads a tumultuous personal life marked by abusive relationships and internal struggles.
  • October 20, 1989: Tracy and her friends abduct and brutally murder an intoxicated man named Edward, believing she must feed her vampiric urges.

  Bailey Sarian (105:17): "She really did that?"

• Investigation and Trial:

  • Tracy's fragmented memories and psychological defenses complicate the investigation, leading to initial disbelief about female perpetrators of such violent crimes.
  • Despite evidentiary challenges, including an ATM card linking Tracy to the crime scene, she is convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment.

  Bailey Sarian (122:04): "She told them she was the wife of the devil."

• Parole and Current Status:

  • Tracy is eventually paroled in 2012, maintaining a low profile. Her past continues to haunt public perceptions, with ongoing debates about her true nature and the extent of her crimes.

  Bailey Sarian (125:39): "She murdered three people and got away with it."

4. Candace Mossler: The Glamorous Manipulator

Timestamp: [125:58] – [162:27]

The final case explores the life of Candace (Candy) Mossler, a socialite whose pursuit of wealth and power leads to a series of manipulative and deadly actions.

• Early Life and Marriage:

  • Candy Mossler, known for her glamorous appearance and deceptive charm, marries Jacques Mossler, a multimillionaire with a booming financial empire.
  • Together, they adopt four orphaned children, presenting themselves as a model family.

• Affair and Downfall:

  • Melvin Powers, Jacques' nephew, enters their lives, initiating an illicit affair that fuels jealousy and greed.
  • Tensions escalate as Melvin's ambitions and Candy's manipulative nature strain the couple's relationship.

• Murder and Legal Battle:

  • June 29, 1964: Jacques Mossler is brutally murdered in his Houston mansion, leading police to suspect both Candy and Melvin due to emerging evidence, including forged signatures and mistrust revealed in Jacques' diary.
  • Despite substantial circumstantial evidence, including fingerprints and witness testimonies, both Candy and Melvin are acquitted in court due to insufficient direct evidence.

  Bailey Sarian (161:45): "Poor Jack. He seemed like such a great guy, and he totally just got taken advantage of by this devil woman."

• Final Years and Legacy:

  • Candy continues her manipulative ways, remarrying after Melvin's death, but her legacy remains marred by her role in multiple murders.
  • July 4, 2005: Candy Mossler dies of an overdose, leaving behind a controversial history and unresolved mysteries surrounding her crimes.

Conclusion: This episode of "Women Who Kill" unearths the complex and often horrifying narratives of women who committed heinous crimes. From Carla Homolka’s chilling collaboration with Paul Bernardo to Louise’s manipulative spree of deceit and murder, Tracy Wigginton’s tragic descent into violence, and Candy Mossler’s pursuit of wealth through manipulation and murder, each story paints a vivid picture of the darkness that can reside behind glamorous exteriors. Bailey Sarian masterfully intertwines these accounts, providing listeners with a comprehensive and engaging exploration of female perpetrators in the annals of true crime.

Notable Quotes:

• Bailey Sarian (00:00): "These women who kill are gonna take you on a ride."
• Bailey Sarian (32:19): "Her emotion comes out over these, these glasses that Paul decided to use to drug the girls with."
• Bailey Sarian (82:16): "And she just had everything all figured out. She's one step ahead."
• Bailey Sarian (105:17): "She really did that?"
• Bailey Sarian (122:04): "She told them she was the wife of the devil."
• Bailey Sarian (161:45): "Poor Jack. He seemed like such a great guy, and he totally just got taken advantage of by this devil woman."

Reflection: "Murder, Mystery & Makeup" effectively highlights how outward appearances can mask deeply disturbing behaviors and motivates listeners to question preconceived notions about criminality. Through detailed storytelling and insightful analysis, Bailey Sarian offers a compelling examination of the female psyche in the context of true crime.