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Artwork for Candyman: The True Story Behind The Bathroom Mirror Murder

Candyman: The True Story Behind The Bathroom Mirror Murder

CBS News
Ruthie Mae Mccoy
Chicago
Candyman
Public Housing
Racial Injustice
Chicago Housing Authority
Housing Inequality
Cabrini Green
George Floyd
Daniel Marsh
Chicago Reader
Abbott Homes
True Crime
Tim Brown
Mark Stover
Linda Opdyke
Murder
Chip Northup
Claudia Maupin
John Hondras

On April 22, 1987, 52-year-old Ruthie Mae McCoy called 911 to report that someone was trying to enter her Chicago housing project apartment through the bathroom medicine cabinet. Police thought she was imagining things, but when authorities finally checked on McCoy two days later, they found her dead with four gunshot wounds. Candyman: The True Story Behind the Bathroom Mirror Murder, revisits the... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes8Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
True CrimeSociety & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Candyman: The True Story Behind The Bathroom Mirror Murder

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The judge and jury announce the fates of the two men accused of killing Ruthie Mae McCoy. Host Dometi Pongo looks at how the fourth Candyman film upends the franchise and the new exhibit honoring Ruthie Mae set to open in Chicago.

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The two young men arrested for Ruthie Mae McCoy's murder go on trial three years after their arrest. Prosecutors planned to rely on the testimony of a star witness, but everything changes once he takes the stand. Steve Bogira spoke to the relatives o... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Robin Means Coleman
Media professor at the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
Episode: Ruthie Mae's Reflection: 6
Kim Fox
Cook County State's Attorney and former resident of Cabrini Green public housing
Episode: Deadly Design: 2
Sue Popkin
Think tank researcher at the Urban Institute focused on Chicago public housing
Episode: Deadly Design: 2
Sherman Thomas
Urban historian and TikTok creator focusing on Chicago's history
Episode: Deadly Design: 2
Deborah Lastly
Neighbor of Ruthie Mae McCoy who shares insights on living conditions in public housing
Episode: Deadly Design: 2
Steve Bogira
Reporter who followed the case of Ruthie Mae McCoy for years
The Chicago Reader
Episode: Left High and Dry: 1
Deborah Lasley
Neighbor and close friend of Ruthie Mae McCoy
Episode: Left High and Dry: 1
Morgan Canty
Field producer at 48 Hours
48 Hours
Episode: Left High and Dry: 1

Host

Dometi Pongo
Host and co-executive producer, excels in engaging storytelling with a focus on social issues and community narratives.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 882 ratings
  • Very informative

    I really enjoyed this podcast. The guy who made it is a very good speaker and has a lovely tone. I watched candyman when I was younger but I hadn’t a clue that it was based on a true story. I think the podcast did Ruthie May proud and explained about how hard life was for the people who lived in the Projects. Well done 👏👏

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    G_mcc2009
    Irelanda month ago
  • Voice actors are horrible…

    Completely ruined it for me. Makes the whole thing sound cheaply produced.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    yer_ol_boy
    United States2 months ago
  • An avoidable tragedy

    This is a great podcast! Ruthie Mae’s story is certainly tragic and it would be remiss to ignore the circumstances that contributed to her demise.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MelaninGoodness
    United States2 months ago
  • Truth told

    This podcast and the stories within were engaging, well researched with fact based reporting and very well told. I am as sickened by the comments in the bad reviews as I am by the realities many in this story have and still face .

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    🐾micah6:8🐾
    United States2 months ago
  • Can’t

    I love this so much

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    June bug 🐶🍔🥓⚽️💴💶💷
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Certain feedback critiqued voice acting and production choices, suggesting an inconsistency in engagement for some listeners.
Many listeners praise the thorough research and depth of storytelling, highlighting it as emotionally impactful and thought-provoking.
Overall, the podcast's narrative approach resonates strongly with those interested in social justice and true crime, often leaving listeners feeling enlightened about systemic issues.
Some reviews mention the podcast effectively engages with serious social issues including racial injustice and housing inequality.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#175
Colombia/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#220
Indonesia/True Crime

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per EpisodeGender SkewLocation
InterestsProfessionsAge Range
Household IncomeSocial Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The series presents a detailed exploration of the tragic and haunting story of Ruthie Mae McCoy, whose murder in 1987 became a cautionary tale about systemic failure in addressing issues of safety and justice for vulnerable communities. Focusing on accountable storytelling, each episode addresses how factors like racial injustice, housing inequality, and mental health stigma contributed to the neglect McCoy faced from law enforcement and the judicial system. The connection to the ensuing Candyman horror film serves as a lens to examine these societal issues in depth, making the narrative not just about crime but about broader social implications that resonate today.

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How many listeners does this podcast get?

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Murder in the Orange Grove: The Troubled Case Against Crosley Green
2. 48 Hours: NCIS
3. 48 Hours
4. Trained to Kill: The Dog Trainer, the Heiress and the Bodyguard
5. 20/20

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched a year ago and published 8 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Robin Means Coleman
2. Kim Fox
3. Sue Popkin
4. Sherman Thomas
5. Deborah Lastly
6. Steve Bogira
7. Deborah Lasley
8. Morgan Canty

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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