Podcast Summary: Scams, Money, & Murder – “Murder in the Media”

Episode Title: Murder in the Media: A Crime House Original Audiobook
Host/Author: Nicole Lapin
Release Date: June 10, 2025

Introduction to “Murder in the Media”

In this episode of Scams, Money, & Murder, host Nicole Lapin introduces listeners to the compelling new audiobook from Crime House Studios titled “Murder in the Media”. This Crime House Original Audiobook delves into five riveting murder cases, exploring the intricate relationship between media coverage and the evolution of true crime storytelling.

Nicole Lapin [00:01]: "Murder in the Media is a Crime House original audiobook. To listen to the whole thing, find it on Spotify, but here's a sample for you to enjoy now."

Understanding the Media's Influence on True Crime

The audiobook begins by examining the symbiotic relationship between crime and media, tracing its roots from the era of print journalism to the digital age. It highlights how media not only reports on crimes but also shapes public perception and influences ongoing investigations.

Narrator [00:47]: "Ever since the popularization of print media, crime and media have gone hand in hand in the United States... the media has taken an outsized role in a criminal investigation and how that impacted the public's reaction to it."

Key Points:

• Evolution of Media Platforms: Transition from newspapers to radio, television, and the Internet.
• Impact on Public Engagement: How each media advancement changed the immediacy and nature of public interaction with crime stories.
• Modern-Day Dynamics: The role of Internet detectives and Reddit sleuths in solving or influencing ongoing cases.

Case Study: Benjamin Peitzel and H.H. Holmes

Part 1 of the audiobook focuses on one of America's earliest and most infamous serial killers, H.H. Holmes, and his connection to Benjamin Peitzel.

Chapter 1: The Rise of Yellow Journalism and H.H. Holmes

The late 1800s marked a period where yellow journalism thrived, characterized by sensationalized headlines and exaggerated crime details to boost newspaper sales. When H.H. Holmes was arrested for the murder of Benjamin Peitzel in 1894, Chicago's newspapers seized the opportunity to sensationalize his crimes, effectively branding him as America's first celebrity serial killer.

Narrator [00:47]: "They sensationalized Holmes as a living devil and in the process, created America's first celebrity serial killer."

Chapter 2: The Man Behind the Moniker – Who is H.H. Holmes?

Delving into Holmes' background, the audiobook reveals his real name was Herman Mudgett, a polite and intelligent individual whose childhood experiences with bullying and a pivotal encounter with a human skeleton ignited his fascination with death. Despite earning a medical degree, Holmes veered away from legitimate medicine, adopting the alias H.H. Holmes and embarking on a life of deceit and murder.

Key Highlights:

• Early Life and Education:

  Narrator: "Herman was a polite, smart kid with lots of promise... his fascination with death transformed into a desire to study medicine."

• Marriage and Personal Downfall:
  Holmes' marriage to Clara Lovering provided financial support for his studies, but his abusive behavior led Clara to flee, leaving Holmes to pursue his dark ambitions alone.

• Adoption of Alias and Criminal Activities:
  After abandoning his medical career, Holmes moved to Chicago, adopting the name H.H. Holmes. He constructed the infamous "Murder Castle," a building designed with hidden passageways, trapdoors, and other sinister features, facilitating his heinous crimes.

Narrator: "The Murder Castle moniker came later, but it was based on the building's strange interior design... a killer would design if they had all the resources in the world."

Construction of the Murder Castle:

• Architectural Oddities: Trapdoors, chutes, stairways leading nowhere, and a massive furnace in the basement.
• Media Sensationalism: The media's fascination with the building amplified Holmes' terrifying persona, portraying him as a near-mythical figure.

Interactions with Media and Law Enforcement: Holmes adeptly manipulated media narratives and law enforcement perceptions, often escaping scrutiny despite the suspicious circumstances surrounding his activities.

Narrator: "Holmes played into the mystery of it all. He never let anyone spend too much time working on his building. He wanted to keep the rest of the world in the dark about what he was up to."

Conclusion and Teaser for Further Content

As the audiobook progresses, it promises to unravel the intricate ways media coverage not only influenced public perception but also impacted the investigations themselves. By dissecting these historical cases, Murder in the Media aims to shed light on the powerful role media plays in shaping the narrative of true crime.

Nicole Lapin [14:40]: "Thank you so much for listening. Murder in the Media Is a Crime House Original Audiobook. If you like what you heard, find the rest on Spotify."

Final Thoughts: This episode serves as a compelling introduction to the audiobook, setting the stage for an in-depth exploration of true crime's interplay with media. For true crime enthusiasts and those interested in media studies, “Murder in the Media” offers a thought-provoking analysis of how stories of murder are crafted, consumed, and remembered.

Key Takeaways

• Yellow Journalism's Role: Early media sensationalism set the precedent for how crime stories are portrayed.
• H.H. Holmes as a Media Fixture: Holmes' meticulous construction of his criminal persona through both his actions and media portrayal.
• Media's Double-Edged Sword: While media brings attention to crimes, it can also distort facts and influence public and legal outcomes.

For a deeper dive into these themes and more case studies, listeners are encouraged to explore the full audiobook available on Spotify.