Podcast Summary: My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark

Episode: Rewind with Karen & Georgia - 47: Live at the Bell House
Release Date: June 4, 2025
Hosts: Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
Network: Exactly Right and iHeartPodcasts

Introduction and Overview

In this special "Rewind" episode, hosts Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark revisit episode 47 of "My Favorite Murder," titled "Live at the Bell House." Originally released in December 2016, this episode marked the fifth anniversary of the podcast's inception. Karen and Georgia share behind-the-scenes anecdotes, updates, and personal reflections on the memorable live event held at the Bell House.

Live at the Bell House Recap

Setting the Stage

Karen and Georgia reminisce about booking their first live show at the Bell House, a pivotal moment that significantly impacted the podcast's trajectory.

• Karen Kilgariff: "We booked this gig ourselves. Thank you." ([03:38])
• Georgia Hardstark: "[...] we were finally like, we've been planning this, we've been thinking about it." ([03:35])

Behind-the-Scenes Anecdotes

The hosts share humorous and relatable stories from the day of the live show, including a mishap at Sephora and interactions with fans.

• Georgia Hardstark: "I have so much lipstick on right now. This is the closest I could get to the CRE crown Elizabeth lip color." ([05:00])
• Andrew: "My babe." ([04:58])

Challenges of Live Shows

They discuss the unpredictability of live audiences and the initial struggles with managing a large crowd without professional tour agents.

• Georgia Hardstark: "Here's where it gets really real dark, guys. [...] How did he know Gypsy?" ([24:11])
• Karen Kilgariff: "Basically, the cops get him and then when they go into the room, they find a girl, handcuffed, hysterical, and she's been tortured for a long time." ([41:10])

Torso Killer: Richard Cottingham

Case Overview

Karen delves into the chilling case of Richard Francis Cottingham, known as the Torso Killer, who operated primarily in the New York City metropolitan area during the 1980s.

• Karen Kilgariff: "So there's a man named Richard Francis Cottingham, and he did a little work in the 80s here in the New York City metropolitan area..." ([31:02])
• Andrew: "That's a Cleveland killer." ([35:11])

Crimes Committed

Cottingham was responsible for the rape, sodomy, murder, and mutilation of six sex workers across New York and New Jersey.

• Karen Kilgariff: "He raped, sodomized, killed, and mutilated six sex workers in New York and New Jersey." ([31:48])

Capture and Conviction

Cottingham was eventually apprehended due to surveillance footage and DNA evidence linking him to the crimes. His meticulous methods and the brutality of his actions left a lasting impact on law enforcement.

• Karen Kilgariff: "In May of 1981, he was convicted on 15 felony counts related to the murder of Valerie Street." ([41:49])
• Millie: "He was the total package." ([43:16])

Updates and Reflections

The episode provides updates on Cottingham's continued confessions of additional murders and his current status in prison.

• Georgia Hardstark: "Richard Cottingham, the torso killer, remains in prison and he continues to confess to his crimes." ([44:13])

Notable Quotes:

• Karen Kilgariff: "That's Richard Coddington Cottingham, the torso killer." ([43:21])
• Andrew: "That's how sentencing is fucking done." ([42:28])

Dee Dee Blanchard and Gypsy Rose

Background and Abuse

Karen introduces the tragic story of Dee Dee Blanchard and her daughter Gypsy Rose, shedding light on the severe abuse Gypsy endured under Dee Dee's care, a classic case of Munchausen by Proxy.

• Millie: "Dede could make friends quickly and inspire deep devotion in people." ([70:37])
• Karen Kilgariff: "Gypsy had leukemia as a toddler." ([71:45])

Discovery and Investigation

On June 14, 2015, Dee Dee was found murdered, and Gypsy was missing. Initial assumptions led neighbors to believe Gypsy was also a victim, but later revelations uncovered the extent of Dee Dee's deception.

• Karen Kilgariff: "Police found Dede Blanchard face down on her bed, covered in stabs, and concluded that she had been dead for several days and Gypsy was missing." ([74:02])

Uncovering the Truth

Investigations revealed that Gypsy was healthy all along, contrary to Dee Dee's fabricated illnesses. This led to the unraveling of the abusive relationship and the eventual collaboration with Gypsy's boyfriend, Nicholas Godejohn, in Dee Dee's murder.

• Millie: "Gypsy hadn't used a wheelchair from the moment she left her house a few days earlier." ([75:33])

Legal Outcomes

Gypsy Rose pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, while Nicholas Godejohn awaited trial for his role in the stabbing.

• Karen Kilgariff: "Gypsy pled guilty to second-degree murder, as Nick is the one who did the stabbing." ([79:55])

Life After Incarceration

Updates on Gypsy Rose's life post-release highlight her efforts to rebuild and the societal reactions to her case.

• Georgia Hardstark: "Gypsy Rose served eight years in prison. She was released in December of 2023..." ([87:58])
• Jamie Lee: "She is living a much quieter Life." ([88:33])

Notable Quotes:

• Millie: "Gypsy is being freed from her mother's control." ([73:42])
• Karen Kilgariff: "Munchausen by Proxy is the cheaper clothing line by designer Proxy." ([77:56])

Additional Insights and Reflections

Throughout the episode, Karen and Georgia offer personal anecdotes, humorous interludes, and reflective insights on hosting live shows and handling intense true crime stories.

• Karen Kilgariff: "It's super true." ([61:09])
• Millie: "It's very, very true, true, true." ([60:43])

The hosts also discuss the evolution of their podcasting journey, the challenges of expanding their audience, and the emotional impact of covering such harrowing cases.

• Andrew: "That's why we were like, hey, we should do this live since it's going well." ([23:40])

Conclusion and Reflections

"Rewind with Karen & Georgia - 47: Live at the Bell House" serves as both a nostalgic look back at a formative live event and a deep dive into some of the most disturbing cases covered by "My Favorite Murder." Karen and Georgia blend humor with horror, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of their experiences and the lasting effects of these true crime stories.

Final Notable Quotes:

• Karen Kilgariff: "We're going to say now, stay sexy and don't get murdered." ([91:34])
• Georgia Hardstark: "We love you guys for listening to this episode of Rewind." ([91:37])

This episode exemplifies the hosts' ability to intertwine personal narratives with detailed criminal analyses, offering both entertainment and enlightenment to "My Favorite Murder" enthusiasts and newcomers alike.