WILDCIDE

Shortcide: Deathbed Confessions

Some secrets are buried forever. Others come spilling out in the final moments of life — whispered to a nurse, a prison guard, or an investigator when there’s no more time left to lie. In this Shortcide, Bailey and Chelsea dive into the unsettling world of deathbed confessions. Sometimes they come from guilt too heavy to carry. Sometimes from fear of judgment in the afterlife. And sometimes, from the simple fact that when you’re about to die, there’s nothing left to lose.
Together, Bailey and Chelsea unravel two extraordinary stories where these last words cracked open cold cases that had haunted families for decades. One man believed his heart was failing and rushed to free his conscience, only to survive and face the consequences of what he revealed. Another confessed to a decades-old disappearance, leading authorities to shocking discoveries buried right in his own backyard. These are deathbed confessions that arrived too late — but just in time to finally close the cases.
 
Thanks for listening! If you want to support us, subscribe, rate and review on your favorite podcast listening app!
 
Want to recommend a wild case or just give s a shout? Contact us at Wildcidepodcast@gmail.com For Wildcider Merch, visit www.wildcidepodcast.com  
 
Find us on Facebook@ Wildcide Podcast. Follow us on Instagram @wildcidepodcast
PS: Don’t forget Wildcide Wednesdays- new episodes drop every Wednesday at 6am EST. Interviews will drop every other Friday at 6am EST.Background music by Brad Parsons at Train Sound Studio. Art for the podcast was created by Kelly Steen. 
 
WILDCIDE Podcast and any content posted is presented solely for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare  professionals for any such conditions. 
 
References
CriminalLawyerUSA. (n.d.). Tennessee man on deathbed confesses to murder, then recovers and gets life sentence. CriminalLawyerUSA. Retrieved from https://criminallawyerusa.com/blog/tennessee-man-on-deathbed-confesses-to-murder-then-recovers-and-gets-life-sentence/ Platinum Criminal Defense Law Firm
Alund, N. (2024, April 24). Deathbed confession leads to murder victims Alex and Susan Carter. USA Today. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/04/24/larrry-webb-confesses-susan-gail-natasha-alex-carter-deaths/73437638007/
ABC News. (2012, November 6). Inmate James Washington convicted after death bed murder confession. ABC News. Retrieved from https://abcnews.go.com/US/inmate-james-washington-convicted-death-bed-murder-confession/story?id=17653264 ABC News
Federal Bureau of Investigation. (2021, December 16). FBI Pittsburgh offers $10,000 reward for information in the disappearance of Natasha and Susan Carter 21 years ago [Press release]. https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/pittsburgh/news/press-releases/fbi-pittsburgh-offers-10000-reward-for-information-in-the-disappearance-of-natasha-and-susan-carter-21-years-ago
Hannahs, A., Rafferty, K., & Alvarado, A. (2024, April 24). Deathbed confession leads to a solved 24-year-old cold case of a missing woman and 10-year-old girl. WSFA. https://www.wsfa.com/2024/04/24/deathbed-confession-leads-solved-24-year-old-cold-case-missing-woman-10-year-old-girl/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Listverse. (2009, September 29). Top 10 fascinating deathbed confessions. Listverse. Retrieved from https://listverse.com/2009/09/29/top-10-fascinating-deathbed-confessions/ Listverse
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Darwin_disappearance_case Wikipedia
Kaiser, C. (n.d.). James Washington thought he was at the end and confessed to murder — but he survived. Medium. Retrieved from https://chrissiemassey1023.medium.com/james-washington-thought-he-was-at-the-end-and-confessed-to-murder-but-he-survived-7c437a864bbb chrissiemassey1023.medium.com

Joël Le Scouarnec: France’s Most Prolific Predator

“I acted without any qualms and with a single objective — to commit sexual assaults as often as I could.” Those weren’t the words of a man caught in a single moment of weakness. They were the written confession of Joël Le Scouarnec, a French surgeon who spent more than 25 years preying on children under the cover of his white coat. Behind the image of a trusted doctor lay meticulous diaries, thousands of images, and the names of nearly 300 victims — many assaulted while unconscious on his operating tables.
But the horror of this case isn’t only about one man’s compulsion. It’s about the silence that protected him — families who minimized, colleagues who ignored whispers, and institutions that valued reputation over safety. For decades, every system that should have stopped him instead kept him untouchable.
This is the story of how silence becomes complicity — protecting a predator in plain sight. And when the tally was finally made, the scale was undeniable: hundreds of victims, etched into journals and confirmed in complaints, cementing this as the largest p*dophilia case in France’s history.
**Don't miss our interview about prevention. Can we prevent p*dophiles from claiming victims? Can they change? That's exactly the conversation we have with Dr. Christoffer Rahm and Colleague Allison from the Karolinska Institute of Sweden. Tune in on Friday 9/19/2025.**
Thanks for listening! If you want to support us, subscribe, rate and review on your favorite podcast listening app!
Want to recommend a wild case or just give s a shout?Contact us at Wildcidepodcast@gmail.com
For Wildcider Merch, visit www.wildcidepodcast.com  
Find us on Facebook@ Wildcide Podcast. Follow us on Instagram @wildcidepodcast
PS: Don’t forget Wildcide Wednesdays- new episodes drop every Wednesday at 6am EST. Interviews will drop every other Friday at 6am EST.Background music by Brad Parsons at Train Sound Studio. Art for the podcast was created by Kelly Steen. 
​WILDCIDE Podcast and any content posted is presented solely for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare  professionals for any such conditions. 
References:
Al Jazeera. (2025, May 28). French surgeon sentenced to 20 years for sex abuse of nearly 300 people. Al JazeeraPull: 20-year maximum, mass case context.
Chrisafis, A. (2025, May 28). French surgeon who abused children for decades sentenced to 20 years in prison. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/28/french-court-sentencing-former-surgeon-joel-le-scouarnec-who-abused-children-for-decades
Reuters. (2025, May 28). Retired French surgeon gets maximum 20-year sentence for raping young patients. ReutersPull: 299 victims; anesthesia context; prior 2020 sentence; medical ban/registry; system failures post-2005 conviction.
Le Monde (Aubenas, F.). (2025, May 29). Former surgeon Le Scouarnec handed 20-year sentence… Le Monde.frPull: Admits to 299 counts; “worst child abuse case” framing.
PBS NewsHour. (2025, May 28). French pedophile sentenced to 20 years… PBSPull: Max sentence; hundreds of patients.
FranceInfo. (2025). Qui est Joël Le Scouarnec, l’ancien chirurgien soupçonné de pédophilie et d’agressions sexuelles sur plus de 250 patients. FranceInfo. https://www.franceinfo.fr/faits-divers/affaire-le-scouarnec/qui-est-joel-le-scouarnec-l-ancien-chirurgien-soupconne-de-pedophilie-et-d-agressions-sexuelles-sur-plus-de-250-patients_3717021.html
Gozzi, L. (2025, March 1). Name was in a child abuse diary—now his family listen to ‘vile’ testimony. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce34v17dw53o
ClickOnDetroit / AP. (2025, May 28). French court to deliver verdict… WDIVPull: 20-year max; courtroom sketch; scale.
The Guardian. (2025, Feb 24). French surgeon accused of abusing 299 patients says he did ‘hideous things’. The GuardianPull: His words; four-month trial; how 2017 incident triggered search.
AP News. (2025, Feb). A French surgeon is on trial… AP NewsPull: 2017 neighbor report; notebooks; explicit media.
Le Monde (Aubenas, F.). (2025, Apr 24). Trial… reveals ignored warnings. Le Monde.frPull: 2005 suspended sentence for images; colleagues’ testimony.
Le Monde. (2025, Jul 18). France launches probe into failures… Le Monde.frPull: National probe after verdict—institutional accountability.
Sky News. (2025, Feb 20). Diaries of a monster… Sky NewsPull: The notebooks as catalog; decades unchecked.
PBS NewsHour. (2025, February 24). A French surgeon is on trial accused of raping or abusing 299 people, mostly child patients. PBS. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/a-french-surgeon-is-on-trial-accused-of-raping-or-abusing-299-people-mostly-child-patients
PEOPLE. (2025, May). Former surgeon sentenced to 20 years… People.comPull: 300k+ images; child-sized dolls; concurrent 2020 sentence; claimed links to two suicides (use with care and attribution).
Porter, C., Breeden, A., & Le Stradic, S. (2025, May 27). A French pedophile doctor abused hundreds in his care. Why wasn’t he stopped? The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/27/world/europe/joel-le-scouarnec-france-doctor-pedophile.html
Karolinska Institutet. (2025). Perpetration Prevention – Rahm & Joleby. (group overview: Prevent It, PRIORITY/PRIOtab, Prevent-MED) Karolinska Institutet
KI project page (Swedish). (n.d.). Effect of GnRH antagonist… randomized clinical trial. (Rahm et al.; degarelix pilot RCT) Karolinska Institutet
Hillert, J., et al. (2024). Web-Based Initiatives to Prevent Sexual Offense Perpetration. Frontiers in Psychology (PMC). PMC
Stephens, S., et al. (2022). A Review of Childhood Sexual Abuse Perpetration… Current Sexual Health Reports. PubMed
NouvelObs. (2025, February 24). Procès Le Scouarnec : 10 dates pour comprendre. NouvelObs. https://www.nouvelobs.com/justice/20250224.OBS100705/proces-le-scouarnec-10-dates-pour-comprendre.html
Vogel, K., & Grégor, P. (2025, May 28). Former French surgeon is sentenced to 20 years in abuse of nearly 300. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/28/joel-le-scouarnec-france-doctor-abuse-sentence.html

Blood Ties: The Murders of Danielle Marzejka and Seren Bryan

When 18-year-old Danielle Marzejka and 19-year-old Seren Bryan vanished from their Clinton Township home in August 2018, friends expected them to pop back up with a laugh and a message. Instead, their belongings remained untouched—their phones, insulin, and treasured keepsakes left behind. Days later, a horrific discovery in a backyard shed shattered the illusion of safety in suburban Michigan.
As investigators unraveled the case, evidence pointed inward. What looked like a spotless bedroom glowed with blood under luminol. Hidden duct tape carried fingerprints. And the suspect’s trail stretched from Michigan to Ohio—ending in a Cincinnati public library, where he sat disguised in a blonde wig and sunglasses, trying to disappear.
This is a story that forces us to confront the unthinkable: that violence can come not from strangers, but from within the home. It’s about silence, disguise, and the devastating fracture of a family when blood itself becomes the threat.
Thanks for listening! If you want to support us, subscribe, rate and review on your favorite podcast listening app!
Want to recommend a wild case or just give s a shout?Contact us at Wildcidepodcast@gmail.com
For Wildcider Merch, visit www.wildcidepodcast.com  
Find us on Facebook@ Wildcide Podcast. Follow us on Instagram @wildcidepodcast
PS: Don’t forget Wildcide Wednesdays- new episodes drop every Wednesday at 6am EST. Interviews will drop every other Friday at 6am EST.Background music by Brad Parsons at Train Sound Studio. Art for the podcast was created by Kelly Steen. 
​WILDCIDE Podcast and any content posted is presented solely for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare  professionals for any such conditions. 
References:
The Horrific Discovery at the Back of the Shed [Video]. (n.d.). YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JLMygukFmw
ClickOnDetroit. (2020, January 14). Man to be sentenced for murder of sister, her boyfriend in Clinton Township; bodies found in shed. WDIV Local 4. https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2020/01/14/man-to-be-sentenced-for-murder-of-sister-her-boyfriend-in-clinton-township-bodies-found-in-shed
Fox 2 Detroit. (2019, November 21). Man guilty of murdering sister and her boyfriend with hammer, leaving bodies in trash bags. FOX 2 Detroit. https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/man-guilty-of-murdering-sister-and-her-boyfriend-with-hammer-leaving-bodies-in-trash-bags
Fox 2 Detroit. (2020, January 14). Judge says ‘evil man is going where he deserves’ after murdering sister and her boyfriend. FOX 2 Detroit. https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/judge-says-evil-man-is-going-where-he-deserves-after-murdering-sister-and-her-boyfriend
Macomb Daily. (2019, November 23). Clinton Township man guilty of murdering sister, her boyfriend. The Macomb Daily. https://www.macombdaily.com/2019/11/23/clinton-township-man-guilty-of-murdering-sister-her-boyfriend
Pietrangelo, M. (2019, November 19). Medical examiner: Clinton Township slaying method provided insurance of death. Voice News. https://www.voicenews.com/2019/11/19/medical-examiner-clinton-township-slaying-method-provided-insurance-of-death
Unquestionably Criminal. (2023, April 7). A brother’s betrayal: The gruesome murders of Danielle Marzejka and Seren Bryan. Medium. https://unquestionablycriminal.medium.com/a-brothers-betrayal-the-gruesome-murders-of-danielle-marzejka-and-seren-bryan-b4a206c04d81
U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs. (2007). Siblicide: A descriptive analysis of sibling homicide. National Criminal Justice Reference Service. https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/siblicide-descriptive-analysis-sibling-homicide
Fundraiser for Erin Funk by David Rabior : Danielle Marzejka Memorial Fund

Kenneth McDuff: The Broomstick Killer

**CORRECTED/UPDATED 9/3: Audio Issues with this episode**
Kenneth McDuff was supposed to die in prison. Instead, a broken justice system set him free—and unleashed one of the most sadistic serial killers Texas has ever known. Nicknamed The Broomstick Killer for the brutality of his first murders in 1966, McDuff’s first death sentence was commuted, and he walked out of prison decades later into a society unprepared for the monster it had released. What followed was a trail of women abducted, strangled, and discarded across county lines, while law enforcement scrambled to connect the dots.
Beneath the surface, McDuff lived a double life: a construction worker by day and predator by night, the embodiment of functional psychopathy. His victims revealed society’s blind spots, and his release exposed the failures of a parole system that valued procedure over protection. In the end, McDuff didn’t just claim lives—he forced Texas to rewrite its laws, leaving behind a legacy carved in fear and reform.
Thanks for listening! If you want to support us, subscribe, rate and review on your favorite podcast listening app!
Want to recommend a wild case or just give s a shout?Contact us at Wildcidepodcast@gmail.com
For Wildcider Merch, visit www.wildcidepodcast.com  
Find us on Facebook@ Wildcide Podcast. Follow us on Instagram @wildcidepodcast
PS: Don’t forget Wildcide Wednesdays- new episodes drop every Wednesday at 6am EST. Interviews will drop every other Friday at 6am EST.Background music by Brad Parsons at Train Sound Studio. Art for the podcast was created by Kelly Steen. 
​WILDCIDE Podcast and any content posted is presented solely for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare  professionals for any such conditions. 
References:
Alcatraz East. (n.d.). The Broomstick Killer: Kenneth McDuff. Alcatraz East Crime Museum. Retrieved August 30, 2025, from https://www.alcatrazeast.com/crime-library/serial-killers/the-broomstick-killer/
Lavergne, G. M. (1999). Bad boy from Rosebud: The murderous life of Kenneth Allen McDuff. University of North Texas Press.
Oxygen. (2019, June 26). Death Row inmate’s release tied to two murders in the ’90s. Oxygen True Crime. https://www.oxygen.com/prosecuting-evil-with-kelly-siegler/crime-news/serial-killer-kenneth-mcduff-victims-what-to-know
Riggs, R. (Host). (2020–present). Freed to Kill [TV series]. Apple TV. https://tv.apple.com/at/show/freed-to-kill/umc.cmc.6xhr0wm5aq3uso8fx1swo0vba
United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit. (1997). McDuff v. Johnson, 118 F.3d 446 (5th Cir. 1997). Justia. https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F3/118/446/495656/
Hall, R. (2014). Review of Bad Boy from Rosebud: The Murderous Life of Kenneth Allen McDuff, by G. M. Lavergne. Southwestern Historical Quarterly. Retrieved August 30, 2025, from Project MUSE via University of North Texas Digital Library: https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/134/article/549192/pdf
Lavergne, G. M. (1999). Bad Boy from Rosebud: The murderous life of Kenneth Allen McDuff. University of North Texas Press. (Available via UNT Digital Library: https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc271399/)
Witherspoon, T. (2024, October 8). McDuff murder victim Melissa Northrup was mother of Eddy man shot, killed along with his son over the weekend. KWTX. Retrieved August 30, 2025, from https://www.kwtx.com/2024/10/08/mcduff-murder-victim-melissa-northrup-was-mother-eddy-man-shot-killed-along-with-his-son-over-weekend/
 

The Heart that Lived Twice: The Case of Sonny Graham and Terry Cottle

In April 2008, neighbors in Vidalia, Georgia, were jolted awake by the sound of a shotgun blast. The man who died that morning was no stranger — Sonny Graham was a beloved golf director, a husband, a father. But Sonny also carried a secret: the transplanted heart of another man who had died by suicide more than a decade earlier. That man’s widow, Cheryl, had since become Sonny’s wife. What unfolded was a story so eerie it captured headlines across the world: two suicides, one heart, one wife. But behind the sensational coverage was something far morecomplicated — a collision of love, survival, stigma, and myth-making.
In this episode, Bailey and Chelsea unravel the haunting symmetry of Sonny Graham and Terry Cottle’s lives. From the quiet desperation inside a South Carolina trailer, to the medical miracle of a transplant, to the crushing burden of being turned into a symbol, this is the story of how communities cling to folklore when the truth feels unbearable — and why even a heart strong enough to beat twice couldn’t carry the weight of a legend.
Resources:  Struggling with Suicidal Thoughts? For the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, Call/Text 988 Previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, the 988 Lifelineprovides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention andcrisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionalsin the United States.   Find a Therapist: Psychology Today: Health, Help, Happiness + Find a Therapist BetterHelp - Get Started & Sign-Up Today  Depression Resources: Helpful Online Resources for Depression (webmd.com)  If you want to support us, subscribe, rate and review on your favorite podcastlistening app!Want to recommend a wild case or just give us a 'hey!'? Contact us atWildcidepodcast@gmail.comBuy Merch!: www.wildcidepodcast.com  Updates on Instagram: @wildcidepodcast
Facebook: Wildcide PodcastDon’t forget Wildcide Wednesdays- new episodes drop every Wednesday at 6am EST.Interviews will drop every other Friday at 6am EST.Background music by Brad Parsons at Train Sound Studio. Art for the podcast wascreated by Kelly Steen. 
​WILDCIDE Podcast and any content posted is presented solely for general informational, educational,and entertainment purposes. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcastor website is at the user’s own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician,professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional, diagnosis, or treatment. Users shouldnot disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they mayhave and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions. 
References:Associated Press. (2008, April 6). Recipient of suicide victim’s heart kills self 12 years later. The Seattle Times.https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/recipient-of-suicide-victims-heart-kills-self-12-years-later/
Associated Press. (2008, April 6). Man with suicide victim’s heart takes own life. NBC News.https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna23984857
Associated Press. (2008, April 7). Same fate for donor, recipient. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-apr-07-na-oddheart7-story.html
Associated Press. (2008, April 7). Transplant patient in bizarre suicide. Otago Daily Times.https://www.odt.co.nz/news/world/transplant-patient-bizarre-suicide
Associated Press. (2008, April 7). Heart transplant recipient dies same way donor did (suicide). WFMY News 2.https://www.wfmynews2.com/story/news/2008/04/07/heart-transplant-recipient-dies-same-way-donor-did-suicide/16660567/
Associated Press. (2008, April 7). Heart transplant man dies like suicide donor. The Telegraph.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1584391/Heart-transplant-man-dies-like-suicide-donor.html
Associated Press. (2008, April 13). Transplant patient in bizarre suicide. CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/transplant-patient-in-bizarre-suicide/
Associated Press. (2008, August 31). Transplant tragedy: 2 men, 2 suicides, 1 heart, 1 widow. Deseret News.https://www.deseret.com/2008/8/31/20266449/transplant-tragedy-2-men-2-suicides-1-heart-1-widow
Associated Press. (2008, September 1). 2 suicide victims shared same heart, wife. CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/2-suicide-victims-shared-same-heart-wife/
Associated Press. (2008, September 7). 2 men, 2 suicides, 1 heart and 1 widow. SFGate. https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/2-men-2-suicides-1-heart-and-1-widow-3181340.php
Associated Press. (2008, August 31). 2 men, 2 suicides, 1 heart and 1 widow. The Bend Bulletin.https://www.bendbulletin.com/localstate/2-men-2-suicides-1-heart-and-1-widow/article_7f1f66c4-6d9a-5c90-8a77-392ac47f7a1c.html
Evening Standard. (2012, April 12). Man given heart of suicide victim marries donor’s widow … then kills himself in exactly the sameway. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/man-given-heart-of-suicide-victim-marries-donor-s-widow-then-kills-himself-in-exactly-the-same-way-7629461.html
 
The Island Packet. (2009, November 22). Questions linger after suicide ruling in Graham death. The Island Packet.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-island-packet/142814707/
The Times and Democrat. (2010, February 22). GBI: Heart recipient committed suicide. The Times and Democrat.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-and-democrat/142669372/
Snopes. (2024, March 9). 2 men shared same heart, same wife, same cause of death? Snopes. https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/suicide-heart-widow/
 

The Upper West Side Cult: Therapy, Sex, and Control

In this episode, Bailey and Chelsea peel back the layers of a New York story most people never knew was happening right under their noses. At the height of the city’s cultural revolution—where art, politics, and therapy collided—a radical psychotherapy collective promised liberation from tradition, family, and fear. But what began as an experiment in freedom grew into something far more controlling, and far more dangerous.
With Bailey unpacking the psychological traps that rewired minds, and Chelsea exploring the social forces that made so many intelligent New Yorkers vulnerable, this episode asks: how does a group survive not in isolation, but right in the heart of Manhattan? And what happens when the people meant to heal you become the ones holding you captive?
Dark, fascinating, and unnervingly close to home—this is the rise and fall of the Sullivanians, the cult that thrived in luxury apartments on the Upper West Side.
 
If you want to support us, subscribe, rate and review on your favorite podcast listening app!
Want to recommend a wild case or just give us a 'hey!'? Contact us at Wildcidepodcast@gmail.com
Buy Merch!: www.wildcidepodcast.com 
Updates on Instagram: @wildcidepodcast
Facebook: Wildcide Podcast
Don’t forget Wildcide Wednesdays- new episodes drop every Wednesday at 6am EST. Interviews will drop every other Friday at 6am EST.
Background music by Brad Parsons at Train Sound Studio. Art for the podcast was created by Kelly Steen. 
​WILDCIDE Podcast and any content posted is presented solely for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions. 
References:
Feinerman, S. (2024, June 13). Rescuing Rosie and the end of the Sullivanians (No. 14) [Audio podcast episode]. In Through a Blue Window. Buzzsprout. https://www.buzzsprout.com/2213540/episodes/15347992-rescuing-rosie-and-the-end-of-the-sullivanians
Stille, A. (2023). The Sullivanians: Sex, psychotherapy, and the wild life of an American commune. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
Winter, J. (2023, June 14). The Upper West Side cult that hid in plain sight. The New Yorker. Retrieved from https://www.newyorker.com/books/under-review/the-upper-west-side-cult-that-hid-in-plain-sight 
Williams, M. (2023, June 13). The Fourth Wall: Inside the Sullivanians sex cult on New York’s Upper West Side. MovieMaker Magazine. Retrieved from https://www.moviemaker.com/the-fourth-wall-sullivanians-sex-cult/

Shortcide: Conmen and the Audacity They Rode in On

Some criminals steal for money. These two stole for sport.
Chelsea takes on Victor Lustig, the smooth-talking con artist who “sold” the Eiffel Tower — twice — and even conned Al Capone. From fake government papers to counterfeit money presses, Lustig’s schemes left a trail of humiliated victims from Paris to New York.
Bailey dives into Ferdinand Waldo Demara, the master impostor who bluffed his way through careers he had no business holding — including performing actual surgeries in the Royal Canadian Navy after skimming a medical textbook.
Both men built empires on charm, lies, and sheer audacity. Both pushed their luck until the world finally caught up. And both prove that sometimes, the boldest crimes are the ones so ridiculous… you almost want to see if they’ll get away with it.
 
If you want to support us, subscribe, rate and review on your favorite podcast listening app!
Want to recommend a wild case or just give us a 'hey!'? Contact us at Wildcidepodcast@gmail.com
Buy Merch!: www.wildcidepodcast.com 
Updates on Instagram: @wildcidepodcast
Facebook: Wildcide Podcast
Don’t forget Wildcide Wednesdays- new episodes drop every Wednesday at 6am EST. Interviews will drop every other Friday at 6am EST.
Background music by Brad Parsons at Train Sound Studio. Art for the podcast was created by Kelly Steen. 
​WILDCIDE Podcast and any content posted is presented solely for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions. 
References:
CFB Esquimalt Naval & Military Museum. (2019, July 17). Ferdinand “Waldo” Demara. CFB EsquimaltNaval & Military Museum.https://navalandmilitarymuseum.org/archives/articles/characters/ferdinand-waldo-demara/Time. (2009, May 26). Faking it: Ferdinand Demara. Time.https://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1900621_1900618_1900605,00.htmlMaysh, J. (2016, March 9). The man who sold the Eiffel Tower. Twice. Smithsonian Magazine. Retrievedfrom https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/man-who-sold-eiffel-tower-twice-180958370/Ferdinand Waldo Demara: One of the greatest imposters the world has ever seen | The Independent

Conspiracy: Who Bombed Judi Bari?

A car bomb. A forest war. And an activist caught in the middle. When Earth First! organizer Judi Bari was nearly killed by a bomb planted beneath the driver’s seat of her Subaru, the FBI didn’t hunt for the bomber—they arrested her. What followed was a decades-long battle between environmentalists, the logging industry, and law enforcement, marked by conspiracy, smear campaigns, and civil rights violations.
In this episode, we dig into the unsolved car bombing that silenced a voice—but only briefly. We explore the psychological toll of being framed, the sociopolitical war over California’s redwoods, and why Judi Bari remains a lightning rod for activism, even after death. Was she targeted for her politics? Or was the FBI covering something up?
If you want to support us, subscribe, rate and review on your favorite podcast listening app!
Want to recommend a wild case or just give us a 'hey!'? Contact us at Wildcidepodcast@gmail.com
Buy Merch!: www.wildcidepodcast.com 
Updates on Instagram: @wildcidepodcast
Facebook: Wildcide Podcast
Don’t forget Wildcide Wednesdays- new episodes drop every Wednesday at 6am EST. Interviews will drop every other Friday at 6am EST.
Background music by Brad Parsons at Train Sound Studio. Art for the podcast was created by Kelly Steen. 
​WILDCIDE Podcast and any content posted is presented solely for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions. 
References:
Alternative Tentacles. (n.d.). Judi Bari. https://alternativetentacles.com/pages/artist-page/judi-bari
Bari, J. (1992). The feminization of Earth First!. History Is A Weapon. https://www.historyisaweapon.com/defcon1/barifemef.html
Cherney, D. (n.d.). JudiBari.org: The official archive of Judi Bari’s life and case. JudiBari.org. http://www.judibari.org/index.html
Cherney, D. (2010). Motion to preserve the bombs. JudiBari.org. http://www.judibari.org/Mo-Preserve-Bombs-2010.pdf
Cherney, D. (2010). Declaration in support of motion to preserve bombs. JudiBari.org. http://www.judibari.org/Mo-Preserve-Bombs-Declaration-Cherney-2010.pdf
Fifth Estate Collective. (1997, Summer). Judi Bari lives. Fifth Estate, 349. https://www.fifthestate.org/archive/349-summer-1997/judi-bari-lives/
Greenson, T. (1997, January). Judi Bari: Outspoken and uncompromising. North Coast Journal. https://www.northcoastjournal.com/jan97/1-97.people.html
InfoRefuge. (n.d.). Judi Bari biography. https://inforefuge.com/judi-bari-bio
Industrial Workers of the World. (n.d.). Judi Bari biography. https://archive.iww.org/history/biography/JudiBari/1/
Kuletz, V. (2021, August 10). How Judi Bari tried to unite loggers and environmentalists. JSTOR Daily. https://daily.jstor.org/how-judi-bari-tried-to-unite-loggers-and-environmentalists/
Martin, D. (1997, March 4). Judi Bari, 47, leader of Earth First! protest on redwoods in 1990. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/1997/03/04/us/judi-bari-47-leader-of-earth-first-protest-on-redwoods-in-1990.html
Trees Foundation. (2020, May 20). 30 years ago in May: The bombing of Earth First! activists Judi Bari and Darryl Cherney. https://treesfoundation.org/2020/05/30-years-ago-in-may-the-bombing-of-earth-first-activists-judi-bari-and-darryl-cherney/
Wheaton, B. K. (2010). Declaration in support of motion to preserve bombs. JudiBari.org. http://www.judibari.org/Mo-Preserve-Bombs-Declaration-Wheaton-re-8-23-10.pdf
United States Department of Justice. (2010). Opposition to motion to preserve bombs. JudiBari.org. http://www.judibari.org/D-Opp-P-Mo-Preserv-Ev-8-12-10.pdf
Zinn Education Project. (n.d.). Judi Bari car bombing. https://www.zinnedproject.org/news/tdih/judi-bari

The Art World’s Greatest Fraud with Filmmaker Barry Avrich

What happens when one of America’s most prestigious art galleries falls for an $80 million lie?
From the acclaimed filmmaker behind Netflix’s Made You Look, Barry Avrich returns with The Devil Wears Rothko: Inside the Art Scandal That Rocked the World. This gripping true crime exposé pulls back the curtain on the now-infamous Knoedler Gallery fraud—complete with a mysterious dealer, a brilliant forger, and a web of deception that reached the highest tiers of the art world.
With exclusive interviews and deep investigative reporting, Avrich uncovers:
How Glafira Rosales passed off dozens of forged Rothkos, Pollocks, and Motherwells
The shady world of art provenance and its role in enabling forgery
Why even experts and billionaires fell for the scam
A peek into lawsuits, violent threats, and a gallery’s collapse
And just how many major works in museums today might still be fake
This is the darker side of prestige—where ego, wealth, and trust collide. The Devil Wears Rothko is essential reading for fans of art history, white-collar crime, and psychological manipulation.
About Our Honored Guest:
Barry Avrich is a veteran documentary filmmaker and producer who has directed and produced over seventy films including Made You Look, Born Hungry, Prosecuting Evil, Blurred Lines, and David Foster: Off The Record. Avrich has authored five books including Moguls, Monsters and Madmen (2017), and built the world’s first movie theater in a hospital.
Featured Read: The Devil Wears RothkoBy Barry Avrich | Releases June 24, 2025 | Post Hill Press
 
If you want to support us, subscribe, rate and review on your favorite podcast listening app!
Want to recommend a wild case or just give us a 'hey!'? Contact us at Wildcidepodcast@gmail.com
Buy Merch!: www.wildcidepodcast.com 
Updates on Instagram: @wildcidepodcast
Facebook: Wildcide Podcast
Don’t forget Wildcide Wednesdays- new episodes drop every Wednesday at 6am EST. Interviews will drop every other Friday at 6am EST.
Background music by Brad Parsons at Train Sound Studio. Art for the podcast was created by Kelly Steen. 
​WILDCIDE Podcast and any content posted is presented solely for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions. 

The Art of Deception: Wolfgang Beltracchi

For years, the name Wolfgang Beltracchi meant nothing to the art world. And yet, his fingerprints were everywhere—on canvases attributed to long-dead masters, hanging in prestigious galleries, and sitting in private collections worth millions. He didn’t just forge art—he forged history itself.
But this isn’t your typical forgery tale. This is the story of a man who studied the flaws of the elite and turned them into his canvas. Alongside his wife Helene, Wolfgang created an empire of lies so seductive, it didn’t just fool the experts—it made them complicit. With charm, chemistry, and unsettling precision, the couple orchestrated one of the most audacious art frauds in modern memory.
In this episode of Wildcide, we unravel the scandal that blurred the line between brilliance and betrayal. From psychological manipulation to the sociological blind spots of wealth and prestige, we explore how one man exposed the vulnerabilities of an entire industry—just by telling the story it wanted to hear. What does it take to fool the gatekeepers of culture? And why did they want to be fooled?
Tune in on Friday 6/6/25 for our interview with director, producer and author Barry Avrich.
 
If you want to support us, subscribe, rate and review on your favorite podcast listening app!
Want to recommend a wild case or just give us a 'hey!'? Contact us at Wildcidepodcast@gmail.com
Buy Merch!: www.wildcidepodcast.com 
Updates on Instagram: @wildcidepodcast
Facebook: Wildcide Podcast
Don’t forget Wildcide Wednesdays- new episodes drop every Wednesday at 6am EST. Interviews will drop every other Friday at 6am EST.
Background music by Brad Parsons at Train Sound Studio. Art for the podcast was created by Kelly Steen. 
​WILDCIDE Podcast and any content posted is presented solely for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions. 
 
References:
CBS News. (2014, February 23). Art forger Wolfgang Beltracchi's multimillion dollar scam. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/art-forger-wolfgang-beltracchis-multimillion-dollar-scam/
Deutsche Welle. (2015, August 19). How Beltracchi, the world's most famous art forger, plays with the market. https://www.dw.com/en/how-beltracchi-the-worlds-most-famous-art-forger-plays-with-the-market/a-18436266
Frickel, C. (2015, May 8). Wolfgang Beltracchi: Porträt des genialen Kunstfälschers. WEB.DE. https://web.de/magazine/unterhaltung/kultur/wolfgang-beltracchi-portraet-genialen-kunstfaelschers-30625452
Hammer, J. (2012, October 10). The greatest fake-art scam in history? Vanity Fair. https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2012/10/wolfgang-beltracchi-helene-art-scam
Levesque, D. (2014, February 22). Wolfgang Beltracchi and the biggest art scandal. Guardian Liberty Voice. https://guardianlv.com/2014/02/wolfgang-beltracchi-and-the-biggest-art-scandal/
Röbel, S., & Sontheimer, M. (2011, June 13). The $7 million fake: Forgery scandal embarrasses international art world. Der Spiegel. https://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/the-7-million-fake-forgery-scandal-embarrasses-international-art-world-a-768195.html:contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
Roxborough, S. (2014, August 29). Beltracchi: The Art of Forgery ('Beltracchi: Die Kunst der Fälschung'): Montreal Review. The Hollywood Reporter. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/beltracchi-art-forgery-beltracchi-die-729140/
Gladwell, M. (2013). The statue that didn't look right. In Blink: The power of thinking without thinking (Adapted handout). TOK Topics. https://toktopics.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/blink-handout.pdf