True Crime with Lux Podcast

Ep 18 The Long Island Serial Killer: Unmasking Rex Heuermann

Hey everyone, I'm Lux, and this is True Crime with Lux. In today's episode, we delve into the chilling case of the Long Island Serial Killer, exploring the latest updates and the arrest of Rex Heuermann.
The story begins with the disappearance of Shannon Gilbert in 2010, leading to the shocking discovery of 11 bodies in Gilgo Beach. Despite initial leads, the case went cold until 2023, when a significant breakthrough pointed to Heuermann as the prime suspect.
We journey through Shannon's troubled past, her unfortunate demise, and the harrowing discoveries of the Gilgo Beach Four. Each victim's story is a tragic reminder of lives cut short and the lasting impact on their families and community.
Finally, we explore the evidence that led to Heuermann's arrest, including disturbing online searches, DNA matches, and incriminating lists found in his possession. As the case unfolds, we'll continue to bring you the latest updates and insights.
Thank you for tuning in. If you enjoyed this episode, please like and share it with your friends. Stay safe, and I'll be back next week with more true crime stories.

Ep 17 The Haunting Crimes of Daniel LaPlante

Hey everyone, I'm Lux, and this is True Crime with Lux. Today I'm going to be discussing Daniel LaPlante, born May 15, 1970, in Townsend, Massachusetts. He didn't have a great childhood. It's alleged that he was sexually and mentally abused by his father when he was a young boy, and when he entered his teen years, his psychiatrist also abused him. His family home was said to look like a junkyard with old cars and trash all over the property.In school, he was a quiet person and a bit of a loner, but if someone did try to talk to him or even be friendly, he was not friendly back. He spent a lot of time by himself in the woods. By the time he was 15, Daniel started breaking into people's homes. He would break in and steal things of value, but soon realized he could also mess with their minds. He started to move little things here and there, then would leave things that didn't belong to get into the heads of the people he was burglarizing.This all took a terrifying turn in 1986 when Daniel became obsessed with 15-year-old Tina Bowen. They had gone on one date together, but students started telling Tina that Daniel was a troubled kid, and she realized he was a little odd because the date consisted of him asking about how her mother died. When her father, Frank, learned that Tina was seeing him, he told her she was not allowed to anymore because he knew the rumors around town about Daniel. The family thought that would be the end of things. Unfortunately, they were wrong.The Bowen family lived on Lawrence Street in Pepperell, not far from Townsend, for several weeks. Strange things started happening in the home. Things started showing up in places the family knew they didn't put there. The TV would change channels on its own, food and drinks would disappear. Tina and her sister had lost their mom and had used a Ouija board to contact her. So they thought the strange things happening were a ghost they had accidentally let into the house when they were trying to talk to their mom. When they brought this concern to their father, he dismissed it. He said it's no such thing as ghost and the girls were just imagining things.What he couldn't know was that the girls weren't imagining things, but it wasn't a ghost. Daniel had found a six-inch crawlspace that led straight into the Bowen home, and he used it to mess with the family after being rejected by Tina. He started with moving items but soon took a scary turn. He would write things on the walls like, marry me and I'm in your room, come and find me. He even used a knife to pin up one of the family photos to the wall. Frank still thought the girls were imagining things and even thought they had done some of the things to mess with him. That was until December 8th when the girls found that someone had used their bathroom.Frank searched the house and found Daniel in a closet with his face painted and a ninja mask, holding a hatchet. He forced the family into a bedroom where he locked them in. Tina was able to escape through a window and call for help. Police found Daniel two days later in the family's cellar. They discovered a small space between the walls that looked like he had been living there for quite a while. They arrested him and held him at a juvenile facility until October of 1987, when his mother was able to make the $10,000 bail.Once home and waiting for his trial, he went back to his old ways of breaking into people's homes, and on October 14th, he stole two .22 caliber firearms. On November 16th of 1987, he broke into the home of the Gustafsson family. Pregnant Priscilla, who was a nursery school teacher, her husband Andrew, and their two kids, five-year-old William and seven-year-old Abigail. A few weeks later, on December 1st, Daniel went back to their home, armed with the guns he had stolen. He tried to claim later that he didn't expect them to be home.When he got there and realized that there were people there, he confronted Priscilla with the gun and forced her and her son into a bedroom. He put William in the closet while he tied Priscilla to the bed and shoved a sock in her mouth. He raped her before shooting her twice in the head. When he was done, he took little William into the bathroom where he drowned him in the tub. When Daniel went to leave the house, he saw Abigail had just gotten home. He led her to the other bathroom and drowned her as well. He then left and went home like nothing had happened and attended his niece's birthday party.Back at the Gustafsson home, Andrew had been trying to reach his wife on the phone, but no one was answering, so he went home to check on them. When he returned, he said the house was quiet and all the lights were off, and he had a really bad feeling, so he started to search the house. He found his wife first, but she was face down on the bed covered in blood. He ran outside and called for help. He told police he was too afraid to look for his children because he didn't want to find them dead as well.Police very easily figured out who was responsible. Daniel had left DNA at the scene, and his clothes and gloves were behind the house, still wet from drowning the children. The tracking dogs used the shirt and led investigators to Daniel's home. Police took him in for questioning, but he denied it, and with the DNA results not back yet, they didn't have enough to hold him, so they let him go. They had planned to arrest him the next day, believing the results would prove him guilty. However, Daniel fled. A massive manhunt began to find him. While on the run, he continued to burglarize homes and was soon found on December 3rd, hiding in a dumpster.His trial began October 1988. The jury found him guilty and he was sentenced to three life sentences. He tried to appeal his sentence in 2017, but the judge denied his request, saying he was not remorseful for his actions. He will not be eligible for parole until 2062.Thank you for listening. If you enjoyed the podcast, please like and share it with your friends. Stay safe, and I'll be talking to you next week.

Ep 16 The Blood Countess: Elizabeth Bathory's Reign of Terror

Host: Lux
Podcast: True Crime with Lux
In this chilling episode, Lux delves into the dark and twisted life of Countess Elizabeth Bathory, infamously known as the Blood Countess. Born into nobility in 1560, Elizabeth's life took a sinister turn as she allegedly murdered hundreds of young girls between 1590 and 1610. Lux explores her early life, her marriage to Count Ferenc, and the horrifying acts of torture she inflicted on her victims.
Listeners will learn about Elizabeth's involvement in witchcraft, her gruesome methods of torture, and the eventual downfall that led to her imprisonment. With detailed accounts of her atrocities and the trial that shocked Hungary, this episode provides a comprehensive look at one of history's most notorious female serial killers.
Join Lux as she unravels the spine-tingling story of Elizabeth Bathory, a woman whose name became synonymous with cruelty and bloodlust. Don't miss this episode if you're a fan of true crime and historical mysteries.

Ep 15 The Chilling Case of Diane Downs: A Mother's Betrayal

Hey everyone, I'm Lux. In this episode, we delve into the chilling story of Diane Downs, originally born Elizabeth Diane Fredrickson on August 7th, 1955, in Phoenix, Arizona. Diane's early years were marked by a strict conservative upbringing, leading to rebellion and a tumultuous relationship with her parents and high school sweetheart, Steve Downs.After a failed stint at Pacific Coast Baptist Bible College and a rocky marriage to Steve, Diane's life spiraled further into chaos. The couple had three children, but Diane's lack of interest in motherhood and strained relationship with Steve led to their eventual divorce. Moving to Oregon, Diane's life took a dark turn on May 19th, 1983, when she claimed a bushy-haired man carjacked her and shot her three children.The tragic night left one child dead and the other two severely injured. Diane's suspicious behavior and lack of emotion raised red flags. Police investigations revealed inconsistencies in her story, leading to her eventual arrest and conviction for murder and attempted murder. Even after escaping prison briefly in 1987, Diane's claims of innocence have fallen on deaf ears, and she remains behind bars.Join us as we uncover the harrowing details of this case and the impact it had on Diane's children and those around her. Thank you for listening, and don't forget to like and share the podcast. Stay safe, and I'll be talking to you next week.

Ep 14 The Controversial Case of Jesse Madison Holton

In this gripping episode, we delve into the tumultuous life of Jesse Madison Holton, a once popular high schooler from Eclectic, Alabama, whose world spiraled out of control during his senior year. As his parents grappled with a divorce, Madison's behavior took a rebellious turn, culminating in a house party that ended in tragedy. On September 11, 2016, Madison's parents were found shot, leading to a complex investigation that questioned Madison's innocence and the plausibility of the events he described.We explore the evidence, conflicting testimonies, and the controversial findings that left the community divided. Did Madison commit the unthinkable, or was he a victim of unfortunate circumstances? Join us as we dissect this perplexing case, presenting the arguments from both sides and leaving you to ponder the ultimate question: Did Madison get away with murder?

Ep 13 Margaret Allen: A Descent into Violence

In this gripping episode, we delve into the tragic story of Margaret Allen and the harrowing events that led to the brutal murder of her housekeeper, Wenda Wright. Born into a life marked by criminal activity, Margaret's troubled past set the stage for a series of violent acts.On February 8, 2005, tensions erupted when Margaret accused Wenda of stealing $2,000. With the help of her nephew, Quinton, the confrontation escalated into a horrific act of violence involving chemical torture and strangulation. The episode explores the chilling details of that fateful day and the subsequent efforts to cover up the crime.We hear testimonies from key witnesses, including Wenda's partner and Quinton, who ultimately turned himself in and led authorities to Wenda's shallow grave. The trial reveals the extent of Margaret's violent history and the jury's unanimous decision to sentence her to death. Margaret Allen now remains on death row, steadfastly maintaining her innocence despite overwhelming evidence.Tune in to uncover the full story of Margaret Allen and the devastating impact of her actions on those around her.

Ep 12 The Butcher Baker: The Chilling Crimes of Robert Hansen

Hey everyone, today I'm going to be telling you about Robert Hansen, also known as the Butcher Baker. Born in Esterville, Iowa, on February 15th, 1939, Hansen had a troubled childhood and a strained relationship with his father. After a brief stint in the United States Army Reserve, his criminal activities began with the arson of a school bus garage in 1960.Hansen's crimes escalated after he moved to Anchorage, Alaska, in 1963. From petty theft, his actions turned to abductions, rapes, and murders. His first known victim, Celia Beth Van Zanten, was found murdered in December 1971. Over the years, many women went missing or were found dead, with Hansen's involvement suspected in numerous cases.Hansen's terrifying spree included the murders of Megan Emmerich, Mary Kathleen Thill, and Sherry Morrow, among others. He employed brutal methods, often abducting women and then hunting them in the Alaskan wilderness. One of his surviving victims, Cindy Paulson, managed to escape and provided crucial information that led to Hansen's capture.In 1983, authorities searched Hansen's property, uncovering evidence that linked him to the crimes, including a map with marked locations of where victims' bodies were found. Despite initially denying his involvement, Hansen eventually confessed to multiple murders.Robert Hansen was sentenced to 461 years in prison without the possibility of parole and died in 2014 from natural causes. His gruesome legacy as the Butcher Baker remains a chilling reminder of his heinous acts.Thank you for listening. If you enjoyed the podcast, please like and share it with your friends. Stay safe, and I'll be talking to you next week.

Ep 11 A Twisted Christmas Tale

In this dark and chilling episode, we delve into the horrifying events surrounding the Lawson family tragedy of 1929. Charles Lawson, a successful tobacco farmer, inexplicably turns on his family, claiming the lives of his wife and seven children before taking his own life. This marks one of the most gruesome mass family murders in North Carolina's history. Discover the theories surrounding Charles Lawson's motives, including possible secrets and a speculated affair with his eldest daughter.The episode also sheds light on what followed the grim incident. Learn about the distasteful act of Charles' brother, who converted the murder site and crime scene into a tourist attraction. Uncover the sorrowful details of the crime, the questionable choices made after the event, and more in this haunting recount of the Lawson family tragedy.Despite the sinister and dark theme, we hope this episode provides you with a glimpse into the past as we try to piece together the reasons behind the tragic events. Thank you for listening, and be sure to like and share the podcast if you found it informative and riveting.

Ep 10 The Terrifying Tale of Dennis Nilsen, The Muswell Hill Murderer

Immerse yourself in this blood-curdling tale of horrific crimes committed by Dennis Nielsen, notoriously known as the Muswell Hill Murderer. In this episode, we dissect Nielsen's life, tracing from his troubled early years, marked with familial discord and identity crises, to his grim journey into becoming one of Britain's most infamous serial killers.
Discover how Nielsen, characterized by his personal struggles and heavy drinking, manipulated his facade of success as a British Army and Metropolitan Police member, to hide his darkest deeds. We graphically recount the ruthless murders and disconcerting post-mortem treatment of his myriad victims, from 14-year-old Stephen Holmes, to Malcolm Barlow, the tragic 23-year-old epileptic.
Unsettling details of Nielsen's eerie habits of stocking corpses under his floorboards and his gruesome disposal methods probe the horrifying reality of his seemingly quiet life. As we traverse the sinister narrative, we also touch upon the grisly encounters with John Howlett and a depressed girl leading to further horrific events.
Experience the horrid anticipation as the narrative progresses towards the revelation and investigation of his monstrous crimes. Learn about the revealing plumbing problem, his nonchalant confession, law enforcement's pursuit of justice, and Nielsen's mentally disturbed state behind bars. The conclusion will undoubtedly leave a frightening impression of the darkness that humanity can descend into.
This spine-chilling account serves as a bleak cautionary tale of human monstrosity. We thank you for joining us on this terrifying journey. Please remember to take care and share this intriguing narrative with those who would appreciate such chilling tales.

Ep 9 An Odyssey from Troubled Childhood to Infamous Cult Leader

Unfold the dark narrative of one of history's most notorious crime figures, Charles Manson. This exciting episode delves into Manson's life journey - from his beleaguered childhood haunted by a dysfunctional family to his transformation into the sinister cult leader.Commencing with his birth as Charles Miles Maddox on November 12, 1934 to a teen mother and an absentee father, the story paints a vivid picture of Manson's difficult early years. Get an inside look into his turbulent adolescence epitomized by constant brushes with law enforcement, delinquent behavior, and reform schools.Follow Manson's evolution from a troubled teenager embroiled in serious offenses to a dangerous cult figurehead. Explore his brief encounter with music, failed marriages, and the beginning of the notorious Manson Family's formation.Gain unique insights into Manson's potent manipulative personality and the paranoia fed by his fears of an impending apocalyptic war, and how he used this paranoia to control his followers, leading them on a path of horrendous violence.Discover the grisly details of the crimes committed by Manson and his Manson Family, including the harrowing event at the Polanski house and the brutal murder of Sharon Tate. Learn about the aftermath of these heinous acts - investigative blunders, the sensational trial, and the eventual unraveling of the Manson Family's terror reign.Ending with Manson's life behind bars, prison time to his eventual death, we bring to light details of his failed parole pleas, court appearances, and the story of his last days. Tune in to this chilling chapter in criminal history and scrutinize the enigmatic life and crimes of Charles Manson and the Manson Family.