Podcast
Tales From the Underworld
Hosted by Authentic True Crime · EN
Your gateway into the shadows of true crime history. In each episode, we travel across time and continents to unearth the most disturbing cases you’ve never heard—and the infamous ones you’ll never forget. From medieval murderers to modern-day monsters, unsolved disappearances to state-sanctioned atrocities, we explore the darkest corners of the human story. These are not just crimes—they’re echoes from the underworld that still haunt us today.
www.talesfromtheunderworld.com
www.talesfromtheunderworld.com
26episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Shadows of Doubt: A Death Ruled Suicide and a Disappearance That Still Haunts Canada
Dec 3100:53:37Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we examine two haunting cases separated by geography but united by unanswered questions.First, we explore the mysterious death of Ellen Rae Greenberg, a 27-year-old Philadelphia teacher found dead inside her locked apartment in 2011. Though her death was ruled a suicide, the circumstances surrounding the scene—including multiple stab wounds and conflicting forensic interpretations — have fueled years of doubt, legal challenges, and public scrutiny. Why do so many believe the truth was overlooked?Then, we turn to the unexplained disappearance of Madison Scott, a 20-year-old woman who vanished after a party near Hogsback Lake in British Columbia in 2011. Her truck was later found abandoned, but Madison was nowhere to be found. For more than a decade, her case remained a painful mystery — until the discovery of her remains in 2023 raised new questions rather than providing closure.Together, these stories reveal how investigations can stall, conclusions can be contested, and families can be left searching for answers long after headlines fade. This episode looks beyond official rulings to ask what happens when the truth remains just out of reach — and whether justice can still be found years later. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.talesfromtheunderworld.com/subscribe
Transcribe →
Vanished Voices: The Unsolved Killing of Minnie Stott and the Death of Betty Shanks
Dec 1400:22:48Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we explore two haunting mysteries separated by oceans but connected by decades of unanswered questions.First, we revisit the tragic case of Minnie “Peggy” Stott, a young woman whose life was cut short in a quiet English town. Despite early leads and a community desperate for answers, her case drifted into silence—leaving behind only rumors, fragments, and a family still searching for truth.Then we travel to Brisbane, Australia, to examine the oldest unsolved case in the country: the death of 22-year-old Betty Shanks. Found near her home after an evening class, her case sparked one of the largest investigations in Queensland history. Yet even with numerous theories—some plausible, some wildly speculative—the mystery has endured for more than 70 years.Together, these stories reveal how cold cases can shape communities, outlive witnesses, and linger in the public imagination long after headlines fade. We break down the timelines, the suspects, the investigative missteps, and the enduring questions that keep both cases alive today.Join us as we trace the parallels between two women whose stories remain unresolved—and why the search for answers still matters. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.talesfromtheunderworld.com/subscribe
Transcribe →
Blood Ties: The Cook Brothers’ Trail of Terror and the Fresno Cult Nightmare
Dec 100:24:47Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we dive into two of the most disturbing criminal sagas in modern American history. First, we revisit the Cook Brothers—Anthony and Nathaniel—whose wave of targeted attacks left communities terrified and investigators scrambling to understand their motives. Their legacy remains a grim reminder of how ordinary neighborhoods can become the backdrop for unthinkable acts.Then we shift to Fresno, where Marcus Wesson built a tightly controlled, isolated world that spiraled into one of California’s most shocking family tragedies. Through manipulation, fear, and extreme beliefs, Wesson constructed a hidden inner circle that ultimately collapsed under the weight of its own darkness.We break down both stories with clarity and context, exploring how these seemingly separate cases reveal unsettling patterns: the power of control, the danger of unchecked extremism, and the long-lasting impact on survivors and communities. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.talesfromtheunderworld.com/subscribe
Transcribe →
Dual Descent: The Covina Christmas Tragedy and the Secrets Buried at 25 Cromwell Street
Nov 2600:30:01Tap to summarizeThis episode dives into two infamous true crime stories that reveal how darkness can unfold in the most ordinary places.First, we revisit the Covina Christmas case involving Bruce Pardo—a holiday gathering that turned into chaos when a trusted figure arrived in disguise and unleashed a shocking act that left a community reeling. We explore the events leading up to that night, the personal turmoil behind it, and the long-lasting impact on families who expected celebration, not catastrophe.Then, we travel to 25 Cromwell Street, home to Fred and Rose West—one of the most disturbing criminal partnerships in modern history. Behind an unassuming façade, the couple concealed years of manipulation, cruelty, and hidden secrets that would eventually shake the UK and expose a pattern of horror no one saw coming.Through timelines, key details, and psychological insight, this episode connects two very different crimes bound by control, deception, and the dark side of domestic life. Listeners will hear how communities coped, what investigators uncovered, and why these cases still haunt public memory.If you’re fascinated by true crime’s most chilling turning points, this is an episode you won’t forget. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.talesfromtheunderworld.com/subscribe
Transcribe →
Halloween Horror: The Murder of Doreen Erbert
Nov 200:17:21Tap to summarizeOn a chilly Halloween night in 1984, San Jose was celebrating like any other year—until one home became the scene of unspeakable horror. Pregnant mother Doreen Erbert answered her door expecting a trick-or-treater, but what greeted her instead was a nightmare that would scar the community forever. What unfolded inside her home that night was so gruesome, even seasoned investigators struggled to make sense of it.In this episode, we peel back the layers of a Halloween tragedy that defied belief—a story of grief, vengeance, and a mind consumed by darkness. We’ll revisit the chilling details of that night, trace the investigation that led to a shocking suspect, and explore how the echoes of that crime still haunt San Jose decades later.Join us as we uncover the disturbing truth behind one of California’s most horrifying Halloween murders—a night when the line between costume and killer vanished completely. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.talesfromtheunderworld.com/subscribe
Transcribe →
Silent Graves: The Refrigerator Murders and the Walker County Jane Doe
Oct 2500:20:00Tap to summarizeIn this chilling episode, we dive into two haunting cases that continue to baffle investigators decades later.First, we revisit the Oklahoma Refrigerator Murders, where two young girls were found brutally murdered and hidden inside an abandoned icebox in 1977. Their killer, Jacqueline Roubideaux, was eventually caught — but her twisted motives and the sheer brutality of the crime left the nation stunned.Then, we travel to Texas, where the body of a teenage girl was discovered off a rural road in 1980. For over 40 years, she was known only as the Walker County Jane Doe, until DNA technology finally revealed her identity as Sherri Ann Jarvis — a runaway searching for freedom who met a tragic end.Join us as we unravel the dark parallels between these two stories — both tales of innocence lost, justice delayed, and the relentless pursuit of answers that came far too late. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.talesfromtheunderworld.com/subscribe
Transcribe →
Episode 10 - Impossible Escapes
Feb 28, 202500:18:36Tap to summarizeIn this gripping episode, we dive into two of history’s most daring jailbreaks. First, the legendary escape from Alcatraz—five men, an impenetrable prison, and a mystery that still haunts investigators today. Who were they? How did they manage the impossible? And did they survive the treacherous waters of the San Francisco Bay?Next, we uncover the story of Sarah Chandler. Passing off counterfeit banknotes, Sarah was sentenced to death in England. But before the noose could tighten, she pulled off a bold prison break that left authorities stunned. How did she do it, and what became of her?Join us as we unravel these incredible true crime tales of ingenuity, resilience, and the unbreakable will to be free. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.talesfromtheunderworld.com/subscribe
Transcribe →
Episode 9 - Daring Escapes
Feb 19, 202500:13:44Tap to summarizeIn this thrilling episode, we dive into two of the most audacious jailbreaks in history. First, we recount the legendary escape of John Dillinger, the infamous Depression-era bank robber who broke out of an Indiana jail. His bold getaway cemented his status as America’s most wanted fugitive.Then, we fast-forward to 1973 for the dramatic Mountjoy Prison Helicopter Escape. In a scene straight out of an action movie, the IRA orchestrated a daring plan to extract three of their own from a high-security prison in Dublin—by hijacking a helicopter.Uncover what these escapes reveal about the ingenuity and determination of those desperate for freedom. Tune in to uncover the fascinating details behind these real-life great escapes. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.talesfromtheunderworld.com/subscribe
Transcribe →
Episode 8 - Horrors of War
Jan 31, 202500:15:31Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we explore the legacies of two men whose actions left deep scars—Liberian warlord Prince Johnson and U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Robert Bales.Prince Johnson, once a rebel leader in Liberia’s brutal civil war, became infamous for his role in the torture and execution of President Samuel Doe. Despite his violent past, he has remained a powerful political figure, raising questions about justice and accountability.Robert Bales, a U.S. soldier, committed one of the worst war crimes by an American in recent history—the 2012 Kandahar Massacre, in which he slaughtered 16 Afghan civilians, including women and children. His actions shocked the world and exposed deep issues within military culture.How do we reconcile their crimes with the legacies they left behind? Join us as we dive into the disturbing histories of these two men and their lasting impact. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.talesfromtheunderworld.com/subscribe
Transcribe →
Episode 7 - Clouds of War
Jan 19, 202500:16:06Tap to summarizeIn this gripping episode, we explore two dark chapters in history - the Nazi looting of priceless art during World War II and the brutal actions of Arkan’s Tigers during the Balkan Wars. First, we uncover the Nazi regime’s systematic theft of art during World War II, a campaign that saw millions of priceless works stolen from Jewish families, museums, and private collections. We’ll uncover how these treasures were hidden, lost, and in some cases, recovered decades later.Next, we unravel the story of Arkan’s Tigers, a notorious paramilitary group during the Yugoslav Wars, and their leader, Željko Ražnatović, better known as Arkan. Known for war crimes and ruthless operations, Arkan’s Tigers left a bloody legacy in the Balkans. Join us as we examine these crimes revealing how history's shadows still influence today. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.talesfromtheunderworld.com/subscribe
Transcribe →