The Grim Curriculum

This episode Dina kick things off with a significant update in the case of Ted Bundy, as investigators in Utah announce a major breakthrough involving a murder dating back to October 1974. Thanks to DNA and other evidence, another piece of Bundy's history has come into focus. Unfortunately, some stories from history are worth revisiting, even when the people involved are absolutely vile.

Next, we head into the world of Bigfoot, where some rather disappointing news has emerged for believers. One of the most famous pieces of supposed evidence has come under some very serious scrutiny, and the...

After a particularly heavy series, we're taking a little detour into the horrid and haunted history of one of Britain's most infamous royal landmarks: the Tower of London.

With a history stretching back more than 1,000 years, this fortress has served many purposes over the centuries, from royal residence to prison and execution site. Its walls have witnessed political intrigue, royal downfall, mysterious disappearances, and some truly grim chapters of British history. And, of course, a place with this much history has accumulated its fair share of ghost stories.

So settle in for a Halloween journey...

We've made it to Part 7, the finale of our series on Robert Pickton and Vancouver's missing women. And honestly, we're relieved to finally reach the end of this story, at least for now. In this final instalment, Pickton's reign of violence comes to an end as he is finally caught. But while his arrest marks a turning point, it doesn't erase the years of missed opportunities, institutional failures, and devastating losses that brought us here.

Throughout this series, we've tried to keep the focus on the women whose lives were taken, the families left behind, and the...

We're back with Part 6 of our series on Robert Pickton and Vancouver's missing women, and we're still not at the end of this story.

As the investigation continues, the failures of law enforcement become increasingly difficult to stomach. Warning signs, missed opportunities, and the treatment of vulnerable women all form part of a deeply troubling picture. And Pickton wasn't operating in a vacuum. Other people were willing to enter his world and contribute to the harm surrounding him.

As we continue exploring the circumstances surrounding Vancouver's missing and murdered women, the frustration keeps building. The...

This week on Extra Credit, we're covering a collection of stories that range from genuinely concerning to downright bizarre.

We have an update involving Ken, the former partner of Gypsy-Rose Blanchard and father of her child, with questions surrounding the circumstances of his death. We also revisit the case of Christa Pike and a botched execution that raises some difficult questions. Then it's time for Florida Man, and folks, when we say you need to see this man's face, we mean it. Respectfully, there appear to have been some questionable choices made along the way.

...

We're back with Part 5 of our series on Robert Pickton and Vancouver's missing women, covering the events of 1998 and 1999.

By this point, the warning signs are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. Reports of Pickton bragging about killing women are circulating, while some members of the Vancouver Police Department are pushing for action amid growing concerns about the missing women from the Downtown Eastside. Yet institutional resistance, silence, and a multitude of other barriers continue to stand in the way.

As the number of missing women grows, so does the frustration. Who knew what was happening...

After our September break, we're back with Part 4 of our series on Robert Pickton and Vancouver's missing women.

This episode takes us through the events leading up to 1998, with a continued focus on the women who went missing or were murdered during this period. We're exploring their lives and stories, the circumstances surrounding their disappearances, and the wider landscape of violence that made this time so devastating.

Robert Pickton wasn't the only serial killer active during this era. Clifford Olson and Gary Ridgway were also responsible for horrific crimes, raising difficult questions about the dangers...

This week, we're continuing our look at the Lindsay Clancy case in Part 2 of our special mix of The Grim Curriculum and Extra Credit. We take a closer look at the testimony, expert opinions, and competing arguments surrounding Lindsay's mental state and the question of criminal responsibility.

We break down some of the major developments from the final weeks of the trial, while keeping speculation separate from what was actually presented in court.

Whether you've been following along since Part 1 or are just catching up, we'll get you up to speed on where the case...

In Part 3 of our series on Robert Pickton, we continue putting the focus where it belongs, on the women whose lives were taken, and the stories that so often became overshadowed by the man responsible.

As we learn more about the victims, we also reach a pivotal moment in Pickton's story. One woman came remarkably close to surviving him, and her fight to escape would come closer than anything else to bringing his horrific spree to an end.

But despite her survival, the nightmare continued.

We continue to piece together the stories of...

We're only two episodes into our Robert Pickton series, and somehow, we've already covered A LOT.

In Part 2, we're beginning to look at the women who may have been among Robert Pickton's first known or possible victims, while continuing to follow what Pickton and the increasingly shady group of people around him were getting up to. The deeper we dig, the more unsettling the story becomes, and we're still only scratching the surface.

By the end of this episode, we arrive at the beginnings of what would become Piggie's Palace, the infamous property that would...

This week, we're bringing you a special mix of The Grim Curriculum and Extra Credit as we take a close look at the Lindsay Clancy case, the 2023 deaths of her three children in Duxbury, Massachusetts, and the trial that has raised difficult questions about mental illness, postpartum psychosis, criminal responsibility, and the limits of what we can truly know about someone else's state of mind.

With weeks of testimony now on the record, we break down the background, the major questions surrounding the case, and some of the details that have drawn significant public attention, while keeping...

This week on Extra Credit, we've got a whole collection of true crime updates, including some cases we've talked about before that have taken a few unexpected turns.

We start with a particularly bizarre update involving Chris Watts, followed by another development in the ongoing case of Dr. Gerhardt Konig.

Dina brings us back to the disturbing case involving 16 children found in rural Ohio, while Charlotte follows up on the nearly 30-year-old murder of Edmonton's Joanne Ghostkeeper and the long-awaited developments in her family's search for justice.

And, as always, we wrap things...

I thought I knew what we were recording for episode 213. I was wrong. Dina decided we're doing Robert Pickton. - Charlotte

This week, we're beginning a brand new series on one of the most notorious serial killers in Canadian history. And we're starting where we usually do, long before the murders, with Robert Pickton's childhood, his (very) strange family, and the odd world he grew up in.

Born into a pig-farming family in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, Pickton spent much of his early life on the family farm alongside his siblings. As we start getting...

On July 31, 1987, a devastating F4 tornado carved a path through Edmonton and the surrounding area, forever changing the city and the people who lived through it.

Known as Black Friday, the tornado claimed 27 lives, injured hundreds more, and became one of the deadliest natural disasters in Canadian history.

This week, we're looking back at the events of that devastating day, from the storm's formation to the incredible stories of survival, the heroic rescue efforts, and the lasting impact it had on emergency preparedness across Alberta and Canada. Nearly four decades later, Black Friday remains a...

This week on Extra Credit, Dina kicks things off with a story that sounds like it belongs in Florida... except it happened in Massachusetts. A mime has found himself facing criminal harassment charges, and trust us, this isn't the kind of performance anyone asked for.

Charlotte then gives a well-deserved shoutout to Jimothy the raccoon, the internet's latest unlikely celebrity, before Dina reminds us that Florida Man is never far away with a story involving a pet store, pepper spray, and behaviour that will leave you thoroughly unimpressed.

Thankfully, there's some genuinely heartwarming news to...

For years, the Donnelly family lived under the shadow of suspicion, violence, and an ever-growing reputation that divided an entire community. In the end, that reputation would end in one of the most shocking acts of vigilante violence in Canadian history. Seriously, when we picked this case to talk about, we truly weren't prepared. In the final chapter of our series on the infamous "Black" Donnellys, we examine the devastating events that brought the family's story to its brutal conclusion. As fear, resentment, and rumours reached a boiling point, five members of the Donnelly family were brutally murdered, their...

In Part Two of our series on the infamous "Black" Donnellys, tensions in Biddulph Township continue to spiral as old rivalries turn increasingly violent. With accusations flying, loyalties tested, and the Donnelly family's reputation growing more notorious by the day, it's becoming harder to separate fact from fiction. As we follow the family through another turbulent chapter, we'll uncover shocking confrontations, retaliation, and the events that pushed an already divided community even closer to the breaking point. And just when we thought we were nearing the end of their story, we realized there was still far more left to...

This week on Extra Credit, we begin with heartbreaking breaking news out of rural Ohio, where four adults have been arrested after sixteen children, ranging from very young to 18 years old, were discovered living in deplorable conditions. With many questions still unanswered, we discuss what is known so far and why this is a case we'll be following closely as more information comes to light. We also cover the astonishing story of a student pilot in Argentina who was forced to land her aircraft alone after her instructor unexpectedly exited the plane mid-flight, a remarkable display of courage and...

This week, we're diving into the unbelievable story of the "Black" Donnellys, an Irish-Canadian family whose name became synonymous with feuds, revenge, and violence. What begins as the story of immigrants trying to carve out a life in rural Ontario quickly spirals into decades of bitter rivalries, courtroom battles, and shocking acts of brutality. In Part One, we explore the Donnellys' early years, the events that ignited a community-wide feud, and how a single family's reputation would grow into legend. As Dina quickly discovered while researching, this story was far too wild to fit into a single episode.

Grab your tinfoil hat and strap it on tight because we are heading down to Texas (figuratively speaking) to examine one of the most compelling modern UFO cases in recent memory. In January 2008, residents of Stephenville reported seeing strange lights and massive objects moving silently across the night sky. What began as a handful of eyewitness accounts quickly became a national story, drawing attention from the media, investigators, and even the military. With hundreds of witnesses, radar data, and conflicting explanations, the Stephenville Lights remain one of the most intriguing unexplained aerial phenomena of recent history. Were these sightings...

This week on Extra Credit, we have an update on Rex Heuermann as sentencing finally arrives. Dina also brings a story that is guaranteed to leave your jaw on the floor and a shudder up your spine, along with a few others, beginning with an incident at an Oklahoma Arby's that proves truth really is stranger than fiction. Meanwhile, Charlotte heads into science corner with news that the Large Hadron Collider is shutting down, but only so scientists can make it even more powerful. We also celebrate one of science's bravest, or perhaps most questionable, heroes: the man who...

In 1872, the Mary Celeste was discovered drifting alone in the Atlantic Ocean. The ship was seaworthy, its cargo was largely untouched, and the crew's personal belongings remained on board. Yet every person aboard had vanished without a trace. More than 150 years later, the fate of Captain Benjamin Briggs, his family, and the crew remains one of history's greatest maritime mysteries. Was it piracy, mutiny, a natural disaster, or something far stranger? In this episode, we separate fact from fiction, examine the evidence left behind, and explore the many theories that continue to fascinate historians and mystery enthusiasts alike.

This week on Grim Curriculum, we conclude our longest series to date with Part Six of our deep dive into Richard Ramirez, the monster known to the world as the Night Stalker.

After months of terror, countless victims, the hunt for Richard Ramirez finally reaches its dramatic conclusion. The poetic justice of the community he terrorized coming together to bring his reign of terror to an end is bittersweet.

In this final chapter, we follow the events leading to Ramirez's capture, the public reaction to his crimes, and the trial that would captivate the nation. <...

This week on Grim Curriculum: Extra Credit, we're checking in on a couple of familiar faces and, unsurprisingly, they're still making headlines.

First, we have updates on cases we've covered previously, including Nick Reiner, who remains determined to fight for his trust fund despite finding himself in increasingly hot water. We also revisit the case of an 87-year-old man recently sentenced for his third murder, proving that some people never seem to learn.

Of course, it wouldn't be Extra Credit without a trip to Florida. Dina brings us not one, but two Florida Man stories...

This week on Grim Curriculum, we're taking a brief break from our Night Stalker series for another installment of Grim Encounters.

These episodes are some of our favourites because the stories come directly from you. From unexplained experiences and strange coincidences to encounters that still leave people questioning what they witnessed, today's episode is filled with tales that are eerie, intriguing, and impossible to forget.

And for the first time ever, we've received a listener-submitted cryptid encounter. We could not be more excited to share it with you.

Whether you're a skeptic, a...

The walls are starting to close in on Richard in episode 5. As Ramirez continues his reign of terror across Los Angeles, the evidence against him continues to grow, and the mistakes he leaves behind become harder and harder to ignore. Feeling the pressure from the increasing attention surrounding his crimes, Richard briefly leaves Los Angeles for what could be described as a "vacation" in San Francisco. Ramirez has no interest in stopping, even when it would be in his best interests to law low and his violence follows him wherever he goes. Despite a series of devastating setbacks that...

This week on Grim Curriculum: Extra Credit, Dina is doing most of the heavy lifting while Charlotte recovers from her trip to Vancouver (she sunburned her forehead), but don't worry, we've still got a wonderfully strange collection of stories for you.

First up is a tale involving Tom Selleck... kind of. Not really. What starts out sounding amusing quickly becomes something much more tragic, serving as a reminder that scams can have devastating consequences. Next, we have a story about a dog left in a parked car. Before you jump to conclusions, this one doesn't go where...

Picking up where we left off, the city of Los Angeles remains gripped by fear as Ramirez continues his campaign of terror. Despite the growing media attention and mounting pressure from law enforcement, he has no intention of stopping. If anything, he is becoming more brazen, more violent, and more determined to escalate.

But while Richard Ramirez may have viewed himself as untouchable, in his mind he was blessed by Satan, investigators were steadily closing the gap. Though his crimes often appeared random and chaotic, the evidence he left behind was beginning to tell a story, and...

This week, we continue our deep dive into Richard Ramirez with Part Three of our Night Stalker series, which may be one of the longest series we’ve ever covered on the podcast. There’s so much history, psychology, investigative work, and social context wrapped up in the Night Stalker case that we felt rushing it would almost do it a disservice.

As Ramirez continues his violent rampage through Los Angeles, the attacks grow increasingly chaotic and brazen. He knows he does not want to stop, but with each new crime, investigators are getting closer. Homicide detectives Gil...

This week on Extra Credit, Dina brings a pile of updates, including the latest frustrating developments in the Alex Murdaugh case. We also talk about convicted family annihilator Scott Peterson and why the Innocence Project wasn't able to free him from prison. We wrap things up as per usual with a truly unfortunate case of “F around and find out” involving wildlife, specifically one extremely angry beaver.

Wanna see us do some ghost hunting? Check out our Ko-fi to help us get there!

https://ko-fi.com/thegrimcurriculum

Come hang out...

We continue our series on Richard Ramirez with Part Two, the chapter where Richard Ramirez fully evolves into the man who would become known as the “Night Stalker.” Now in Los Angeles, Ramirez descends further into addiction, violence, and chaos. His drug use spirals out of control, burglaries become routine, and he discovers what he views as the ultimate thrill, murder. As the attacks escalate in brutality and frequency, law enforcement begins to recognize that something far more sinister is unfolding across the city. Fear spreads, investigators scramble for answers, and the hunt for the Night Stalker begins.

Th...

This week on Grim Curriculum, we begin our 200th episode series on one of the most infamous serial killers in American history, Richard Ramirez, better known as the “Night Stalker.”

In Part One, we trace Ramirez’s early life, his family history, and the deeply disturbing environment that shaped his formative years before his move to Los Angeles at just 18 years old. Even at this stage of the story, the warning signs are staggering. Violence, trauma, abuse, and dangerous influences surrounded Ramirez from an early age, raising difficult questions about nature, nurture, and how monsters are made. While...

This week on Extra Credit, we’ve got a lineup of cases that just so happen to share one common thread, women, for better or for worse.

Dina brings three shorter stories to the table, while Charlotte delivers a longer history lesson, each case offering its own mix of chaos and consequences. Totally unplanned, but somehow perfectly aligned. And don’t worry, Dina didn’t forget to include a Florida Woman story.

Our strange and unusual death this week is the only one that doesn’t centre a woman, but let’s just say… it’s a classic ca...

This week we are stepping inside some of the most notorious asylums of the past, places where those deemed “unwell” were hidden away, often forgotten, and too often mistreated. Institutions like Philadelphia State Hospital, Danvers State Hospital, and Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum were meant to provide care, but behind their walls, overcrowding, neglect, and harmful “treatments” became the reality for many patients.

We also examine the work of Nellie Bly, who risked her own safety by having herself committed to expose the conditions inside these institutions, bringing the public face to face with what was happening out of sight. T...

This week on The Grim Curriculum, we step into one of the internet age’s most bizarre and unsettling fringe groups: the Love Has Won cult, led by Amy Carlson.

What began as a spiritual movement quickly spiralled into something far stranger, blending New Age beliefs, online devotion, and increasingly extreme behaviour. Followers believed Carlson to be a divine being, a figure they called “Mother God”, and their dedication led them down a path that blurred the line between faith and control.

At the centre of it all is a striking contradiction: Carlson, who was revere...

Charlotte starts us off with an update in the Gerhardt Konig case, while Dina brings the latest from the Long Island Serial Killer investigation. Charlotte then shares some shocking old news from 2011 involving the actor behind McGruff the Crime Dog, proving that even the voices behind familiar faces can have a darker side. Dina follows with a truly horrifying home invasion story that feels like something straight out of a nightmare. Thankfully, Charlotte lightens things up with the tale of a flamboyant Florida gangster and fire chief whose disappearance remains unsolved to this day. Dina brings us right back...

Known for a trail of deception, violence, and suspicion that followed her across multiple states, Halliday was married multiple times, with several of her husbands dying under suspicious circumstances. At a time when female offenders were often underestimated or overlooked, her case stood out in a way few others did. She was a woman often described as one of the most dangerous in American history, she would go on to become the first woman in the United States sentenced to death by the electric chair, a decision that shocked the public and had the newspapers foaming at the mouth. <...

This week on Extra Credit we’re covering a mix of long awaited updates, ongoing trials, and stories that are as bizarre as they are unsettling.

Dina starts us off with an update on a long unsolved case linked to Ted Bundy. While we never enjoy talking about him, we are glad to share that another victim’s family has finally received some long overdue closure.

Charlotte follows up with a recent case out of Hawaii involving a doctor accused of attempting to murder his wife in what some are calling an “alpine divorce” style case. Th...

This week on The Grim Curriculum, we step away from the history books and into something a little more immediate, and a lot more unsettling. Drawing from Reddit’s “Let’s Not Meet” community, we explore a collection of real-life encounters that came far too close for comfort. These are moments where ordinary people found themselves face to face with something deeply wrong, situations that could have ended very differently with just one small change. From eerie gut feelings to narrow escapes, each story carries that lingering question: how close can you get to danger before you even realise you are...

After escaping from custody, Legere unleashed a wave of violence that sent shockwaves through Miramichi and surrounding communities. Fear took hold quickly. Residents locked their doors, routines changed overnight, and at the height of the panic, Halloween celebrations were even cancelled as the community grappled with the very real threat he posed.

Despite being physically strong, Legere repeatedly targeted vulnerable individuals. Senior citizens, isolated residents, and even members of the clergy were not safe from his attacks, adding another layer of fear and outrage to an already shaken community.

In this episode, we examine the...