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Once Upon A Crime

Esther Ludlow
True Crime
Ruth Ellis
Elizabeth Short
Ted Bundy
Black Dahlia Murder
David Blakely
Los Angeles
Colleen Stan
Kidnapping
Murder
Sean Diddy Combs
Domestic Abuse
Lizzie Borden
California
Sylvia Likens
Marie Hilley
Cameron Hooker
Domestic Violence
Violence
Scott Peterson

Step into the darker side of history with Once Upon A Crime, a true-crime podcast that delves deep into some of the world’s most gripping cases. Hosted by an expert storyteller, Esther Ludlow, each episode unravels the mysteries behind notorious crimes, exploring the lives of victims, perpetrators, and the intricate details of the investigations that followed. With carefully researched narratives,... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes426Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
True CrimeHistory

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Artwork for Once Upon A Crime

Latest Episodes

In this bonus episode of Once Upon a Crime, we ask a disturbing question: did the Scott Peterson case inspire other men to murder their wives?

We examine the cases of Lori Hacking, Jennifer Corbin, and Teresa Lane, three women whose murders shared s... more

In Part Two of Scott Peterson Revisited, Esther is joined by her sister Yolanda to take a closer look at the claims now being made on behalf of convicted murderer Scott Peterson.

In 2024, the Los Angeles Innocence Project announced that it was inves... more

In this bonus episode of Scott Peterson Revisited, we look beyond the evidence to examine the man at the center of the case. Was Scott Peterson capable of murdering his pregnant wife, Laci, and their unborn son, Conner?

We explore Scott’s family his... more

Twenty-three years after the murders of Laci Peterson and her unborn son, Conner, the case against Scott Peterson is once again under scrutiny.

In January 2024, the Los Angeles Innocence Project announced that it was representing Peterson and invest... more

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Recent Guests

Rasul T. Freelon
Detective Sergeant, author of When Lambs Become Wolves
Oak Park Police Department (retired)
Episode: Before Bali: The Untold Story of Sheila von Wiese-Mack
Crystal Gutierrez
Former TV news reporter, Emmy award-winning journalist, and host of Beyond the Case, focused on missing person cases
Beyond the Case
Episode: Interview: Crystal Gutierrez on the Disappearance of Anthonette Cayedito
William J. Mann
Author of 'Black Dahlia, Murder, Monsters, and Madness in Midcentury Hollywood'
Episode: Broken: The Black Dahlia Murder - Part Four: The Black Dahlia’s Lost Week
Brian Buckmire
Legal contributor for ABC and co-host of Law and Crime Daily, former senior staff attorney at the Legal Aid Society, and a homicide defense attorney in New York.
ABC
Episode: The Case Against Diddy: An Update with Legal Expert Brian Buckmire
Marcia Clark
Famed prosecutor, author of 'Trial by Ambush'
Episode: True Crime Trailblazers: Exclusive Interview with Marcia Clark, Trial by Ambush
Cassandra Ventura
A former romantic partner of Sean Combs and model.
Episode: The Life and Crimes of Diddy - Part 1
Edna Cowell Martin
Cousin of Ted Bundy and author of "Dark Tide, Growing Up with Ted Bundy".
Episode: Buried Family Secrets: Dark Tide: Growing Up with Ted Bundy
Deb Miller Landau
Author of 'A Devil Went Down to Georgia'
Episode: Bonus Episode: The Murder of Lita McClinton - A Conversation with Author Deb Miller Landau
Gareth Russell
Author of 'The Palace: From the Tudors to the Windsors'
Episode: The Palace with guest Gareth Russell

Host

Esther Sanchez Ludlow
Host of the show; storyteller and interviewer; long-running host credited across episodes.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 6.8k ratings
  • Ruth Ellis

    Really loved your deep dive series into the Ruth Ellis case. Such a tragic life and sad ending to her young life.

    Thank you for covering this

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Janetleonard 2831
    Irelanda month ago
  • Love/d this show

    I’m not taking stars away for the five introductions to what is coming, but never an episode! We’re all waiting because we love you. No more trailer no more promises. Where is the show? 6/29???

    I don’t want a preview or introduction every day I’ve until it comes out. I’m loyal, one announcement, one preview, SHOW!!!! No more commercials “on a what’s to come. Pleeease 🙏🏼I’m not trying be rude but i’m not listening to an announcement with a 1000 commercials.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mjustsul
    United States3 months ago
  • Missing the pod!

    It’s been about 4 months since the last episode posted- wondering when it’s coming back!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LDKJACKSON
    United States3 months ago
  • One of my faves but…

    I don’t love the new format of 6 or 7 brief episodes dribbled out over several weeks. I’d rather have one long episode once a month. A 24 minute episode with ad breaks isn’t keeping me engaged. I’ve been a listener for a long time and I’m hoping that this isn’t the new format going forward. Pretty sure I’ll start saving up the episodes, only to eventually forget about it altogether.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    UserUserUserUser4
    United States7 months ago
  • I am out, not worth the time

    15 minute episodes…NAH don’t waste your time

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Devine Ms D
    United States7 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise the host's storytelling voice and careful research.
Some listeners want more long-form episodes and fewer short installments or ads.
Fans value deep, non-sensational true crime analysis with psychological insight.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#183
Singapore/True Crime

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Bonus: Unmasking Scott Peterson
Q: Was Scott Peterson capable of murdering Laci and Conner, given the patterns discussed in his life?
Yes, the host argues that while not proven by a single fact, the pattern of deception, parallel relationships, and maintenance of an idealized identity could make such capacity plausible; however, this remains interpretive rather than definitive.
Bonus Episode - Bill Mann - “The Black Dahlia” follow-up interview - The Suspect
Q: Why is Marvin Margolis often dismissed despite being a serious suspect?
Mann explains that busy investigators during the initial investigation had overlooked Margolis amidst the numerous other suspects, despite having credible information about him.
Bonus Episode - Bill Mann - “The Black Dahlia” follow-up interview - The Suspect
Q: What was your reaction to seeing the story break about Marvin Margolis?
Mann expressed excitement but also concern about the misinformation surrounding Margolis as a new suspect, stating that he has been a serious candidate since the 1940s based on thorough investigations.
Interview: Crystal Gutierrez on the Disappearance of Anthonette Cayedito
Q: What are your thoughts on why Anthonette's disappearance still matters after all these years?
Crystal emphasizes the ongoing pain for families and the importance of advocating for missing individuals to ensure they remain in the public's consciousness.
Interview: Crystal Gutierrez on the Disappearance of Anthonette Cayedito
Q: How did you get involved with this case?
Crystal, as a retired news anchor and investigative reporter, sought to give attention to missing persons cases that often go unnoticed. She began collaborating with retired detectives to reinvestigate such cases actively.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Once Upon A Crime

What is Once Upon A Crime about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A narrative-driven true crime show centered on deep-dive cases, psychological insights, and historical context. Across episodes, listeners get long-form storytelling that traces victims, perpetrators, and investigative processes, with a focus on how cases unfold over time, the nuances of legal proceedings, and the broader social impact. Notable strengths include thorough research, meticulous case reconstruction, and a consistent emphasis on motive, behavior, and the investigative decisions that shape outcomes. A few standout themes include copycat dynamics, the psychology of deception, and how media narratives influence public perception, all delivered with a measured, documentary-style voice that prioritizes clarity and credible analysis. ... more

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How many listeners does Once Upon A Crime get?

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How many subscribers and views does Once Upon A Crime have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Once Upon A Crime?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Once Upon A Crime:

1. Crimelines® True Crime
2. Generation Why: True Crime
3. The Minds of Madness - True Crime Stories
4. MURDERISH
5. Killer Psyche

How many episodes of Once Upon A Crime are there?

Once Upon A Crime launched 10 years ago and published 426 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Once Upon A Crime?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Once Upon A Crime?

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What guests have appeared on Once Upon A Crime?

Recent guests on Once Upon A Crime include:

1. Rasul T. Freelon
2. Crystal Gutierrez
3. William J. Mann
4. Brian Buckmire
5. Marcia Clark
6. Cassandra Ventura
7. Edna Cowell Martin
8. Deb Miller Landau

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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