Welcome to the ultimate guide to “Morbid,” where we’ll look into the darkest, most fascinating, and best episodes of Morbid that hosts Alaina Urquhart and Ash Kelley have brought to life.
Since 2018, this dynamic duo has covered hundreds of cases, from infamous serial killers to obscure historical mysteries, all while balancing meticulous research with their signature blend of humor and respect for victims. Whether you’re a longtime “Weirdo” (as their fans are affectionately known) or just discovering the show, this curated list of standout episodes showcases the very best of what makes “Morbid” one of true crime podcasting’s most compelling voices.
Episode 85: Dennis Rader “BTK” Part 1 So Much and Not Enough
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Yes, this is a lengthy episode, but there’s a lot to uncover with this twisted individual. In Part 1, Morbid dives into Dennis Rader’s early years, his marriage, and his initial steps into the dark world of Bind, Torture, Kill. It’s a bizarre and unsettling journey, folks. Rader is certainly one of the more perplexing and maddening cases.
Episode 52: The Missing Panama Tourists Mini Morbid
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In Alaina’s Mini Morbid, the mysterious case of Kris Kremers and Lisanne Froon is explored. The two young women set off on a philanthropic trip from the Netherlands to Central America but went missing in Panama’s jungle in 2014. When limited remains were eventually discovered, along with cell phones showing repeated attempts to call for help and a camera containing eerie photos, the case shifted from perplexing to downright chilling. What truly happened to Kris and Lisanne in the wilderness?
Matthew Hoffman AKA The Leaf Killer
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Matthew John Hoffman was an unusual character, shifting between quiet, unassuming behavior and unsettling, odd actions. His deep attachment to trees often seemed to ground him, yet on November 9, 2010, he invaded a peaceful home in Apple Valley, Ohio, tragically ending the lives of Tina Hermann, her 11-year-old son Kody, and her best friend Stephanie Sprang, before abducting 13-year-old Sarah Maynard.
Hoffman’s obsession with trees would soon reveal itself as a crucial aspect of his disturbing pathology. In Part 1, the episode dives into his perplexing background, the lives of Tina, Kody, and Stephanie, and the horrifying home he forced Sarah into.
The Violent Deaths of Bog Bodies
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Alaina presents a unique topic: Bog Bodies! Across the globe, bodies have been discovered in various bogs, remarkably well-preserved thanks to an unsuspecting landscaping staple—peat moss. Who knew your peat moss could be so haunting? Alaina recounts the stories of nine different Bog Bodies found over the years, including one discovery that led to a murderer’s lifelong imprisonment. And if this episode intrigues you, fear not—there are many more Bog Bodies waiting to be explored in future episodes.
Jack the Ripper Part 1
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Alaina transports us to the gritty streets of Whitechapel in the first installment of Jack the Ripper’s tale, painting a stark picture of a dark, damp, and grim place. Whitechapel’s harsh conditions, where people endured miserable living situations and butchers roamed the streets stained with blood, created the ideal setting for a brutal killer. In Part One, Alaina focuses on Mary Ann “Polly” Nichols, believed to be the Ripper’s first victim, and introduces a few other possible early targets. Stay tuned—there’s likely three more parts to come!
The Mysterious Death of Tamla Horsford
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Here’s yet another troubling case of mishandling: the 2018 death of Tamla Horsford. This heartbreaking and deeply suspicious incident involves a 40-year-old mother of five who was found face down in a backyard after attending an adult sleepover. Her injuries were varied and seemed inconsistent with a fall from a second-story balcony. Adding to the concern, this occurred in Forsyth County, Georgia, an area with a documented history of racial bias. Although the case was quickly labeled an accident, with several pieces of evidence suggesting something more sinister, it has now been officially reopened in 2020, offering hope that the truth of what happened that November night may finally emerge.
The Amazing Survival Tale Of Michelle Knight, Amanda Berry and Gina DeJesus Part 1
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In this multi-part series, Ash and Alaina dive into the horrific kidnappings and torture endured by two of the three Cleveland kidnapping survivors. Michelle Knight and Amanda Berry initially saw Ariel Castro as just the father of someone they knew. Little did they know the nightmare that awaited them.
The St. Osyth Witch Trials
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Alaina shares the true story of the St. Osyth Witch Trials. It begins with a woman named Ursula, notorious for her “suggestive” name, who was suspected of causing another woman, Grace, to lose the use of her limbs. In those days, such an accusation was enough to face the grave charge of witchcraft, and from there, the situation spiraled. Ultimately, fourteen people were accused, two were hanged, and many others perished in prison.
Kiss and Kill Murder
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When Betty Williams’ boyfriend, Mack Herring, ended their relationship during their senior year, her world felt like it was crumbling. She had already been dealing with depression and anxiety, worsened by a society and culture in 1961 that seemed unwilling to accept her as she was. For Betty, escaping this pain felt impossible, and she saw death as her only release. Yet, despite her determination, she admitted she didn’t have “the fortitude necessary” to follow through. Instead, she made one final plea to the boy who had just broken her heart—she asked him to pull the trigger for her.
Rainbow Family Murders
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In 1980, three friends – Nancy Santomero (19), Vicki Durian (26), and Liz Johndrow (19) – left Iowa to hitchhike to a Rainbow Family gathering in West Virginia. Days later, Santomero and Durian were found shot dead in the woods, while Johndrow was missing. Local farmer Jacob Beard was convicted of the murders in 1993, but was later exonerated after evidence emerged of police misconduct and perjured testimony.
Oklahoma Girl Scout Murders Part 1
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In a disturbing case from 1977, three young Girl Scouts – Lori Farmer (8), Michelle Guse (9), and Doris Milner (10) – arrived for summer camp at Oklahoma’s Camp Scott. On their very first night, tragedy struck. Despite signs of suspicious activity around the campgrounds in previous weeks, no one anticipated the horror that would unfold when all three girls were murdered in their tent. While investigators initially focused on one prime suspect, later evidence would point in an entirely different direction.
The Radium Girls
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In 1898, the Curies’ discovery of radium led to its use in making watch faces and instruments glow in the dark. What seemed like an innovative solution soon revealed its deadly nature. The “Radium Girls,” young female factory workers who painted these dials, routinely moistened their brushes with their mouths while working with the radioactive paint, unaware of its lethal effects. By the mid-1900s, hundreds of workers across three U.S. factories had developed severe radiation poisoning. Though some workers eventually won lawsuits against their employers, exposing dangerous workplace conditions and advancing labor rights, many had already suffered fatal consequences from their exposure.
The Circleville Letter Writer
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A mysterious harassment campaign began in 1976 when anonymous letters started appearing in Circleville, Ohio. The first targeted Mary Gillespie, claiming she was having an affair with Gordon Massie, her school district’s superintendent. Soon, threatening letters spread throughout the community, with the anonymous writer seeming to possess intimate knowledge of the townspeople’s lives. The case took several dark turns – a man died under suspicious circumstances, Mary Gillespie survived an attack on her life, and someone was imprisoned despite questions about their guilt.
The Dark Secrets Behind The Wizard of Oz
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Alaina has been exploring the troubling behind-the-scenes stories from the making of The Wizard of Oz. As her own children have become fascinated with the classic film, she’s uncovered a number of disturbing incidents that occurred during production. After diving into this unsettling history, you may find yourself viewing the beloved movie through a very different lens moving forward. Alaina’s research has shed light on the less magical realities that unfolded off-screen.
Lost Children of the Alleghenies
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A small town is gripped by panic as two young boys vanish without a trace in a thick, remote forest. Despite extensive searches over several days, no sign of the children emerges. Remarkably, a local man comes forward with a vivid dream that he believes holds the key to finding the missing boys. This uncanny premonition spurs the desperate community to shift the search in a new direction, ultimately leading to the safe recovery of the long-lost children.
Burke & Hare Part 1
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In the early 1800s, European medical schools faced a critical shortage of cadavers needed for anatomy lessons and training. This scarcity gave rise to a sinister trade – “resurrection men” who illicitly exhumed fresh bodies from graveyards to sell to doctors. In Edinburgh, two such grave robbers, William Burke and William Hare, took this practice to an even darker extreme. They murdered at least 16 people, providing the human remains directly to local physicians. The grisly “Burke and Hare” killings left a lasting mark of horror not just on the city, but across all of Scotland.
The Mysterious Death of Tiffany Valiante
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In 2015, 18-year-old Tiffany Valiante’s sudden death by train shocked her loved ones, who refused to accept the police’s suicide ruling. Despite the official conclusion, Tiffany’s family and others believe evidence suggests her death was at best suspicious, and possibly a murder, rather than a voluntary act.
Gerard John Schaefer “The Hangman”
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Alaina dives into the disturbing case of Gerard John Schaefer, a former police officer suspected of murdering dozens of young women. Schaefer would exploit his authority to entice victims under the pretense of an exciting adventure, only to take them to remote locations and subject them to unthinkable cruelty before killing them. Many of his victims remain unaccounted for, leaving their families without closure. Alaina’s investigation into this prolific and depraved serial killer is truly unsettling.
H.H. Holmes Part 1
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The arrest of Dr. Henry Howard Holmes in Boston in 1894 initially seemed to be a straightforward case of fraud and theft. However, as authorities explored deeper, they uncovered a shocking pattern of horrific crimes committed by this seemingly ordinary man. While the Pinkerton Detective Agency had been pursuing Holmes for various misdeeds across multiple states, the full scale and depravity of his actions far exceeded even their most seasoned investigators’ darkest imaginations. The case that unfolded would reveal Dr. Holmes as one of the most prolific and ruthless serial killers in American history.
JonBenet Ramsey Part 1
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The unsolved 1996 murder of 6-year-old JonBenét Ramsey in her Colorado home has captivated public attention for decades. Despite extensive investigation and numerous theories about potential suspects, the perpetrator of this horrific crime has never been definitively identified. In this first part of a case review, we’ll explore the details surrounding JonBenét’s life, the disturbing circumstances of her death, and the heavily compromised crime scene that has hindered efforts to uncover the truth. The many unanswered questions and lingering mysteries of this tragic case continue to mystify investigators and the public alike.
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