Based on a True Crime

The heinous crimes of Ted Bundy captured a nation as he stood trial for murder in Florida. At the time, few knew his true body count, in a series of murders that spanned multiple states on the other side of the country. In the years since, his seemingly incongruent demeanor and reputation, earned or not, as a smart and charming killer has inspired multiple movie adaptations, the most recent of which stars none other than Zac Efron in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile. This is...

In the early 90s, Michael Alig rose to prominence as a club promoter and founding member of the Club Kids, before being arrested for the vicious murder of Angel Melendez while high on ketamine. His story was brought to the big screen twice by directors Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato, first in 1998’s “Party Monster: The Shockumentary” and again in 2003’s “Party Monster,” starring Macaulay Culkin. This is Based on a True Crime. Based on a True Crime is a podcast where Chelsea’s love of...

In 1983, Henry Lee Lucas was arrested in Texas for unlawful possession of a firearm. While in custody, he confessed to hundreds of murders committed in dozens of states with a partner, Ottis Toole, earning him the nickname “The Confession Killer.” Despite many of these confessions proving to be false, his story captured the public consciousness, inspiring the 1986 film Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer. This is Based on a True Crime. Based on a True Crime is a podcast where Chelsea’s...

It's our Exorcist Halloween Special! In the Spring of 1949, a 14-year-old boy began exhibiting signs of demonic possession after the death of his aunt. Following a harrowing exorcism, the boy, known only as Roland Doe, was cured. Local news stories about the exorcism caught the eye of William Peter Blatty, inspiring his 1971 novel “The Exorcist”. He also wrote the screenplay that became the 1973 film, directed by William Friedkin. This is Based on a True Crime. Sources: Is The Exorcist...

Late one night in June of 1912, eight people were bludgeoned to death in a house in Villisca, Iowa. Although several suspects were named, and even put on trial, the case remains unsolved. The Villisca axe murder house remains as a tourist attraction, offering tours and overnight stays. Many supernatural events are said of have occurred there over the years, inspiring the 2017 indie horror film “The Axe Murders of Villisca.” This is Based on a True Crime. Based on a True Crime is a...

In August of 1997, the body of 81-year old Marjorie Nugent was found in a taped up freezer in her home. Police quickly arrested her close, and only, friend, 39-year-old Bernie Tiede. Much to the dismay of law enforcement, the city of Carthage, Texas rallied around Bernie, and tales of his supposed kindness versus the miserliness of Marjorie captured the attention of director Richard Linklater, who co-wrote and directed an adaptation of this true crime, BERNIE. This is Based on a True...

On July 25, 1841, Mary Cecilia Rogers told her fiance she was leaving to visit family. Her body was found floating in the Hudson River three days later. Edgar Allan Poe heard of her mysterious demise and sought to solve her murder through his writing. In 1842, he published the first detective story inspired by a true crime, “The Mystery of Marie Roget.” This is Based on a True Crime. Based on a True Crime is a podcast where Chelsea’s love of true crime and David’s love of horror movies...

In this interview special, we chat with author Dana Fredsti, a writer/producer/director/theatrical sword fighter (she's in Army of Darkness) and animal lover! We had a great time talking about how she writes about zombies, science fiction and murder, details on her career doing stunt work (including being in Army of Darkness), favorite true crime and more! Her most recent novels include Time Shards & Spawn of Lilith, both published by Titan books! You can follow Dana on Facebook at...

In the Fall of 1992, seven bodies were found in the Belanglo State Forest, all belonging to young people who had disappeared while hitchhiking in New South Wales, Australia. The account of a man who survived a terrifying attack years prior lead police to Ivan Milat, one inspiration for the deranged killer in the 2005 Australian horror film, Wolf Creek. This is based on a true crime. Based on a True Crime is a podcast where Chelsea’s love of true crime and David’s love of horror movies...

In the early morning hours of September 15, 1986, the body of 71-year-old Lee Wan-im was found in the rice fields hear her home, strangled to death and bound with her own clothing. Crimes like this were not common in the rural city of Hwaseong in South Korea, but over the next five years they would become an almost regular occurrence: the work of a still unidentified serial killer. In 2003, the story of the Hwaseong serial murders was brought to the big screen by Bong Joon-ho in his...

16-year-old Pauline Parker and her best friend, 15-year-old Juliet Hulme murdered Pauline’s mother to try to avoid being separated. The story of their friendship and rich fantasy life was brought to the screen in 1994’s Heavenly Creatures, directed and co-written by Peter Jackson. This is based on a true crime. We're super-excited to re-record this episode since it was the topic of our first episode and had not only some 'debut show' nervousness, but also some sound engineering problems....

We are excited to announce that we are members of the just-launched Murder.ly True Crime Podcast Network! In this very special episode, we hear true crime stories from our friends on the network. Be sure to check them out at http://murder.ly! Based on a True Crime is a podcast where Chelsea’s love of true crime and David’s love of horror movies intersect. Each week we will be discussing murders and/or mysteries, along with the pop culture they have spawned. Listen to exclusive monthly...

Happy one year anniversary of our show! It's been an amazing year and we are celebrating by answering questions that you asked us through social media! We discuss our favorite murders who haven't had movies made about them, cases that we hope never get adapted into movies or television, how we started the show, our favorite pizza and much, much more! Thanks for your support during our first year! Based on a True Crime is a podcast where Chelsea’s love of true crime and David’s love of...

Happy one year anniversary of our show! It's been an amazing year and we are celebrating by answering questions that you asked us through social media! We discuss our favorite murders who haven't had movies made about them, cases that we hope never get adapted into movies or television, how we started the show, our favorite pizza and much, much more! Thanks for your support during our first year! Based on a True Crime is a podcast where Chelsea’s love of true crime and David’s love of...

Happy one year anniversary of our show! It's been an amazing year and we are celebrating by answering questions that you asked us through social media! We discuss our favorite murders who haven't had movies made about them, cases that we hope never get adapted into movies or television, how we started the show, our favorite pizza and much, much more! Thanks for your support during our first year! Based on a True Crime is a podcast where Chelsea’s love of true crime and David’s love of...

On May 2, 1969, a desperate bid by Bobby and Ila Fae Dent to avoid arrest would lead to one of the longest police chases in history, spanning 6 hours and nearly 300 miles of Texas countryside. The events were adapted for the big screen by legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg in his full-length film debut, 1974’s The Sugarland Express. This is Based on a True Crime. Based on a True Crime is a podcast where Chelsea’s love of true crime and David’s love of horror movies intersect. Each week...

In 1939, convicted bank robber Henri Young tried and failed to escape from Alcatraz. Three years later, after spending time in solitary confinement, he stabbed Rufus McCain, a fellow escapee, to death. His subsequent trial hinged on his brutal treatment within the Alcatraz system and particularly while in solitary. In 1995, his story was adapted into a film, Murder in the First, which presented a very favorable, if somewhat inaccurate, portrait of his life. This is Based on a True...

The common thread in the movies we’ve covered has been their inspiration by real-life crimes, whether they are factual retellings, or original stories grown from a single headline or memory. But movies themselves can also serve as an inspiration, not only for fellow filmmakers, but for the impressionable minds of viewers, inspiring them to commit their own heinous actions. This is Based on a True Crime. This week we are joined by our friends Heather and Rachelle from the Nature vs...

Two years after the success of 1974’s “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre”, director Tobe Hooper and screenwriter Kim Henkel joined forces for a follow-up movie 'EATEN ALIVE'. Once again, they searched for inspiration in annals of true crime history, and they found it in Joe Ball. Following the repeal of prohibition, Joe Ball opened up a tavern outside of Elmendorf, Texas and stocked a pit in the back with live alligators to put on gruesome shows for his customers. Soon after, the pretty young...

On July 2, 1976, the US Supreme court reserved its ruling that the death penalty was unconstitutional, allowing it to be reinstated as punishment for certain crimes. Less than three weeks later, on July 19, Gary Gilmore committed his first murder. In 1979, Norman Mailer published a Pulitzer Prize-winning non-fiction novel, immortalizing the life and death of Gilmore called “The Executioner’s Song”, which served as the basis for a made-for-TV movie of the same name. This is Based on a True...