fact or fiction

Is it fact or merely fiction? Fact or Fiction explores the myths and beliefs we hold about copycat killers, eyewitnesses testimony, what makes a murderer and more.

The Servant Girl Annihilator: Was America’s First Serial Killer the Real Jack the Ripper?. Content Warning.
I. A City Frozen in Fear The humid Texas night of December 30, 1884, carried the metallic scent of blood through Austin’s servant quarters. By dawn, the mutilated body of Mary "Mollie" Smith—a 25-year-old Black cook—would be discovered spiked to her own backyard fence like a butchered animal. Her skull had been crushed with such force that fragments of bone later turned up in the soil ten feet away.
By Cold Case Collective8 months ago in Criminal
The Most Dangerous Cities Around The World. AI-Generated.
From castles positioned on crumbling cliffs to apartment blocks and toxic wastelands, join me as we check out the scariest cities built on the edge of the earth. With each city, we'll be raising the stakes as each one grows more and more precarious. Starting with some canoe culture in Logos, Nigeria. Living by the ocean sounds pretty fun, but in some places, life on the water can be downright dangerous. On the very edge of Logos is a partially floating community called Makoko that consists of six separate villages making up a gigantic slum. Four of them are based on the water of the Lacos Lagoon on the east coast and most of the structures here are built on strong stilts which keep them from collapsing into the dirty and polluted water. This community is squashed together with population estimates of up to 250,000 people. And I thought living in an apartment with six roommates was grand. You have to navigate the slum on canoe and survive with little electricity and sanitation. Furthermore, the residents are particularly vulnerable to disease and the slum faces incredibly high levels of maternal mortality and childbirth. But residents there have made the most of their watery home. The settlement has several general stores, churches, and a motel. It even used to be home to the Makoko floating school, which was held up by recycled plastic barrels that float on the water and a triangular roof, which kept the structure balanced. But this way of life is under threat. In recent years, Logos has seen increasingly intense floods and rains that pose a threat to the whole city. Makoko's location on the water makes it particularly vulnerable, and there's dangers that rising sea levels caused by climate change will sink the entire slum into the ocean. Several buildings like the floating school have already collapsed, and in future decades, the whole of Makoko might fade away forever, meaning it's literally on the current edge of the earth. Man, there's something eerily scary about knowing your city will eventually be sunk by the sea. Mother Nature is a cruel mistress. sometimes. But Makoko isn't the only community that was built in a life-threatening location. We usually think of a city as a great sprawling metropolis with loads of buildings and bustling streets spread out over different neighborhoods. Yet, Yanzhen in China's Yunan Province is a busy city that's incredibly compact because the entire thing runs along the banks of the Hang River. Trying to fit an entire city on a handful of long winding roads sounds crazy, but incredibly Yanjin has 450,000 residents, which for context beats the population of American cities like Orlando, New Orleans, and Honolulu.
By taylor lindani8 months ago in Criminal
Blood on the Streets: Colombia Under Escobar’s Shadow
Pablo Emilio Escobar Gaviria, the infamous Colombian drug lord and leader of the Medellín Cartel, was once one of the most powerful and feared men in the world. His reign of terror in Colombia, which peaked during the 1980s and early 1990s, left an indelible mark on the nation’s history. Escobar's rise was not only defined by unprecedented wealth and influence but also by an era of brutal violence, rampant corruption, and deep social disruption. His story is both a cautionary tale and a chilling example of how organized crime can infiltrate and destabilize an entire nation.
By D A R K8 months ago in Criminal
Echoes of the Dead
The rain had been falling for hours, turning the streets of Chicago into slick mirrors reflecting neon signs and the occasional glow of a cigarette. Detective Jack Marlowe lit one up, his fingers trembling slightly from more than just the cold.
By Esther Sun8 months ago in Criminal
The Christchurch Mosque Shootings in New Zealand
On March 15, 2019, New Zealand, a nation known for its peaceful and inclusive society, was shaken to its core by an act of unspeakable violence. In what became one of the deadliest mass shootings in the country’s modern history, a gunman opened fire on worshippers at two mosques in the city of Christchurch, killing 51 people and injuring dozens more. This meticulously planned terrorist attack was live-streamed by the perpetrator and quickly spread across social media, adding a disturbing digital dimension to an already horrifying act.
By D A R K8 months ago in Criminal
The Oklahoma City Bombing (USA)
At 9:02 a.m. on April 19, 1995, a deafening roar shattered the tranquility of downtown Oklahoma City. A Ryder rental truck, packed with a deadly concoction of ammonium nitrate fertilizer and fuel oil, detonated in front of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, tearing through the structure and forever scarring the American landscape. This act of domestic terrorism, the deadliest in U.S. history, claimed 168 lives, including 19 children, and injured hundreds more. The Oklahoma City bombing was not just an attack on a building; it was an assault on innocence, a chilling testament to the destructive power of extremist ideology, and a profound moment of national grief and resilience. The Attack: A Calculated Act of Hatred The mastermind behind this horrific act was Timothy McVeigh, a former U.S. Army soldier disillusioned and enraged by what he perceived as government overreach. His grievances were primarily fueled by two pivotal events: the 1992 Ruby Ridge standoff in Idaho and the 1993 Waco siege in Texas. These incidents, where federal agents engaged in deadly confrontations with anti-government groups, solidified McVeigh's belief that the U.S. government was a tyrannical entity that needed to be struck down. He saw the Murrah Federal Building, housing various federal agencies, as a symbolic target for his vengeance. McVeigh, aided by his accomplice Terry Nichols, meticulously planned the bombing. They acquired the necessary components, including thousands of pounds of fertilizer, and assembled the massive bomb in the rented truck. On that fateful Wednesday morning, McVeigh drove the truck to the building, ignited the fuses, and made his escape. The resulting explosion was catastrophic. A third of the Murrah Building was reduced to rubble, its concrete and steel twisted into grotesque shapes. The blast wave rippled for miles, damaging or destroying over 300 other buildings and incinerating dozens of vehicles. The scene was instantly transformed into a war zone, a chaotic landscape of devastation, dust, and the agonizing cries of the injured. The Immediate Aftermath: A City United in Crisis In the immediate aftermath, a wave of confusion and terror swept through Oklahoma City and across the nation. Initial speculation wrongly pointed towards international terrorists, but the swift and tireless work of law enforcement quickly shifted the focus. Within 90 minutes of the explosion, Timothy McVeigh was stopped by an Oklahoma Highway Patrolman for a missing license plate and arrested for illegally carrying a concealed weapon. His subsequent identification, through a sketch and further investigation, rapidly led authorities to connect him to the bombing. The rescue efforts that followed were nothing short of heroic. Thousands of first responders, including firefighters, paramedics, and law enforcement officers, converged on the scene, sifting through the debris in a desperate search for survivors. Ordinary citizens also flocked to offer help, forming human chains to remove rubble, donating blood, and providing comfort to the distraught. The spirit of unity and compassion, often referred to as the "Oklahoma Standard," emerged from the tragedy, showcasing the profound capacity for human kindness in the face of unimaginable horror. The iconic image of firefighter Chris Fields cradling the lifeless body of one-year-old Baylee Almon became a poignant symbol of the bombing's devastating impact on the most innocent. The Investigation and Justice: Unraveling the Conspiracy The FBI launched one of the most exhaustive investigations in U.S. history, code-named "OKBOMB." Agents conducted over 28,000 interviews, followed more than 43,000 investigative leads, and amassed three and a half tons of evidence. This meticulous work led to the conviction of Timothy McVeigh on multiple counts of murder and conspiracy. He was sentenced to death and executed by lethal injection in 2001, the first federal execution since 1963. Terry Nichols was also convicted for his role in the conspiracy and sentenced to life in prison. A third individual, Michael Fortier, who knew about the plot but failed to report it, received a lighter sentence in exchange for his testimony. The investigation not only brought the perpetrators to justice but also shed light on the burgeoning extremist movements within the United States. The bombing served as a stark reminder that terrorism was not solely an external threat but could originate from within the nation's own borders. The Enduring Impact: Scars and Remembrance The Oklahoma City bombing left deep and lasting scars, both physical and emotional. Beyond the 168 fatalities, hundreds more suffered life-altering injuries, from severe burns and amputations to psychological trauma that continues to impact them decades later. The financial cost of the bombing was immense, with an estimated $652 million in damages to the Murrah Building and surrounding structures. In the wake of the tragedy, Congress passed the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996, which aimed to combat terrorism by limiting access to habeas corpus and increasing protection around federal buildings. The bombing also prompted a national conversation about the dangers of anti-government rhetoric and the need for vigilance against domestic extremism. Today, the site of the Murrah Building is home to the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, a powerful and moving tribute to those who were lost, those who survived, and those changed forever. The Outdoor Symbolic Memorial features 168 empty chairs, each representing a life lost, with smaller chairs for the children. The Gates of Time, marking the minutes before and after the explosion, and the Reflecting Pool offer spaces for contemplation and remembrance. The Survivor Tree, a resilient elm that stood through the blast, stands as a symbol of hope and healing. The Oklahoma City bombing remains a painful chapter in American history, a vivid reminder of the fragility of peace and the devastating consequences of hatred. Yet, from the ashes of that day, a narrative of resilience, unity, and unwavering compassion emerged. The memorial stands not only as a testament to the lives lost but also as a beacon, educating future generations about the perils of extremism and inspiring a commitment to preventing such tragedies from ever happening again.
By D A R K8 months ago in Criminal
Behind the shadow
I was in London at the time—settling into life abroad with studies, a job, and the dreams I had always carried. I used to speak with my mother almost daily over the phone. But lately, she had seemed a bit unsettled—her voice tired, her speech scattered. I thought, She’s aging. It’s natural. Six years earlier, my father had passed away, leaving behind a two-story house, some land, and a small amount in the bank. I had already left for the UK by then. My mother managed everything. Don't sell anything, I used to tell her. One day I’ll come back.” But that return never came. The shocking news was that Mother has passed away. They said she slipped in the bathroom and died instantly. I ran back to Bangladesh quickly. Grief, relatives, tears—it all felt strangely silent. Only my mother’s face kept flashing before my eyes. While handling the formalities, something odd caught my attention. I got hold of my mother's phone. The night before her death, a call had been made to an unknown international number. Time of the call: 11:42 p.m. But I hadn’t called her that night. Even stranger, I found a voice recording on her phone. A man's whispered voice said: > "Digitalis... a single drop is sufficient. A little more, and the heart will slowly stop.” My blood ran cold. Digitalis is a powerful heart medication that can be toxic in large amounts. I didn’t go to the police. However, suspicion had already been sown. There was no theft. No signs of a break-in. Then how did she die? Soon, a police detective showed up—an older, composed man named Rafiq. In a calm tone, he said, > “We’re reopening your mother’s case. The autopsy shows an overdose of Digitalis in her system.” I froze. He asked, “Did you know she was allergic to that medication?” I replied, “No... I had no idea. I didn’t suspect anything like this.” He looked straight at me. > “You were abroad, yes. Nowadays, however, anything can be arranged remotely, including automated phone calls, online prescription orders, and even hired help. I gave a nervous laugh. “Are you accusing me?” He said, > “You’re the sole heir. Additionally, a request to transfer all of her property to your name was submitted a week prior to her death. I said nothing. Detective Rafiq continued, “You’ll need to come to the station. We have some questions.” I cooperated. Passport checks, phone logs, travel records—they reviewed everything. My location on the night of her death? I was at a business meeting in London. CCTV confirmed it. Then came an unexpected twist. The policeman stated, > “Your cousin—Rakib—used a spoofed international number to make that call. He’s been traced.” Rakib was caught. He had helped my mother with errands and worked around the house occasionally. The police suspected he had heard the voice message and mixed the drug into her food. However, Rakib did not confess. He only said, > “I was just doing what I was told. I didn’t know who it was for.” The detective told me, > “You’re clear—for now. However, the case is not over. I nodded. Said nothing. merely gazed out the window. However, there is something that is unknown. When I returned home after my mother’s death, I found the medicine bottle myself. The label read something else. Inside was Digitalis. I threw the bottle into the pond. There is yet another issue. One day, Rakib told me, > “Didn’t you tell me to mix the medicine with her food? I thought you meant that, right? I remained silent. Then said, > “You didn’t understand what I really meant.” Rakib stopped talking. I'm back in London today. The case remains open, but everyone believes I’m innocent. Still, some nights I wake up suddenly—drenched in sweat. I hear my mother’s voice whispering behind me, > “Did you really do this?”
By Istiak 8 months ago in Criminal
The Science of Smear Campaigns:
Smear campaigns don’t always arrive with torches and pitchforks. More often, they wear the mask of “concern,” “opinion,” or “public interest.” But make no mistake: beneath that mask is a coordinated psychological operation—one designed not just to criticize, but to destroy.
By Dr. Mozelle Martin8 months ago in Criminal
The Italian Nightmare
The Axeman of New Orleans: A Century of Unanswered Screams The early 20th century in New Orleans, Louisiana, was a period of vibrant cultural fusion, the birthplace of jazz, and a city teeming with life. However, beneath this lively veneer, a dark and terrifying chapter unfolded between May 1918 and October 1919. A shadowy figure, armed with an axe, crept into homes in the dead of night, leaving a trail of brutalized victims and a city gripped by an unshakeable fear. This enigmatic predator became known as the Axeman of New Orleans, and over a century later, his identity and motives remain one of America's most chilling unsolved mysteries. The Axeman's reign of terror began, by most accounts, on the night of May 22, 1918. Joseph Maggio, an Italian grocer, and his wife, Catherine, were discovered in their apartment on the corner of Upperline and Magnolia Streets. They had been attacked with an axe, their throats slit with a razor. The brutality of the crime was shocking: Catherine was so viciously attacked that her head was nearly severed. Bizarrely, valuables were often left untouched at the crime scenes, and the murder weapon was typically an axe belonging to the victims themselves, discarded at the scene. A panel on a back door was usually chiseled out, allowing the killer silent entry. As the attacks continued, a horrifying pattern began to emerge. The primary targets were Italian-American grocers and their families. This led to early speculation of Mafia involvement or ethnically motivated hate crimes. New Orleans at the time had a significant Italian immigrant population, and while they contributed significantly to the city's fabric, they also faced prejudice and suspicion. The victims that followed the Maggios painted a grim tableau. Louis Besumer and his partner, Harriet Lowe, were attacked in their living quarters behind Besumer's grocery in June 1918. Lowe, who was grievously injured and later died, initially implicated Besumer, accusing him of being a German spy (this was during World War I). However, the Axeman's signature method pointed elsewhere. In August, Mrs. Ed Schneider, pregnant at the time, awoke to a dark figure standing over her. She was bludgeoned severely but miraculously survived, though she could offer little in the way of a clear description of her attacker. Later that month, Joseph Romano, an elderly man, was fatally attacked in his home. His nieces, who discovered him, caught a fleeting glimpse of a tall, dark, heavy-set man fleeing the scene. The city's terror reached a fever pitch. Gun sales soared, and residents resorted to bolting their doors, sleeping in shifts, and arming themselves with whatever weapons they could find. The police, led by Superintendent Frank Mooney, were baffled and under immense public pressure. Leads were scarce, and descriptions of the attacker were often contradictory or vague. The Italian community, in particular, lived in a state of siege. Perhaps the most infamous and bizarre episode in the Axeman's saga was the appearance of a taunting letter, purportedly from the killer himself. Dated March 13, 1919, and published in local newspapers, the letter was addressed to "Esteemed Mortal." In arrogant and chilling prose, the author claimed to be a "spirit" and a "demon from the hottest hell." He boasted of his invincibility and derided the police efforts. Then came the most peculiar and enduring part of the letter: "Now, to be exact, at 12:15 (earthly time) on next Tuesday night [March 19, 1919], I am going to pass over New Orleans. In my infinite mercy, I am going to make a little proposition to you people. Here it is: I am very fond of jazz music, and I swear by all the devils in the nether regions that every person shall be spared in whose home a jazz band is in full swing at the time I have just mentioned. If everyone has a jazz band going, well, then, so much the better for you people. One thing is certain and that is that some of your people who do not jazz it out on that specific Tuesday night (if there be any) will get the axe." Whether a genuine communiqué from the killer or a twisted hoax, the letter had an undeniable impact. On the designated Tuesday night, the city of New Orleans erupted in a cacophony of jazz. Professional bands and amateur musicians alike played in homes and public halls, hoping to ward off the Axeman's promised visit. True to the letter's "promise," no murders were reported that night. This strange event cemented the Axeman's legend and forever linked him to the city's iconic musical genre. Despite the musical reprieve, the attacks did not cease entirely. On March 10, 1919, Charles Cortimiglia, an Italian immigrant grocer in the West Bank suburb of Gretna, and his wife, Rosie, were attacked. Their two-year-old daughter, Mary, was tragically killed. Rosie, severely wounded, controversially accused her neighbors, Iorlando Jordano and his son Frank, of the assault. The Jordanos were convicted despite a lack of concrete evidence, only to be released years later when Rosie recanted her testimony. The Cortimiglia case highlighted the desperation and confusion surrounding the investigation. The final confirmed attack attributed to the Axeman occurred on the night of October 27, 1919, when Mike Pepitone was brutally murdered in his home. His wife, who witnessed the fleeing assailant, described a large, axe-wielding man. After Pepitone's death, the Axeman, as suddenly and mysteriously as he had appeared, vanished. Numerous theories regarding the Axeman's identity have been proposed over the decades, yet none have been definitively proven. Some of the most prominent include: * Mafia Connections: Given the targeting of Italian grocers, many believed the killings were organized crime hits, possibly related to extortion or vendettas within the burgeoning Mafia. However, the seemingly random and often unprofitable nature of the attacks didn't perfectly align with typical Mafia methods. * A Lone Serial Killer: This theory posits the Axeman was a sadistic individual driven by unknown psychological compulsions, deriving pleasure from the act of killing and the terror he instilled. His apparent knowledge of his victims' homes and routines suggested some level of stalking. * The "Man of a Thousand Faces": Some investigators and amateur sleuths have speculated that the Axeman could have been a master of disguise or even multiple individuals working together or as copycats, which would explain the varying descriptions. * Joseph Mumfre: One suspect, Joseph Mumfre (or Momfre), an alleged Black Hand extortionist who was shot and killed in Los Angeles in December 1920 by Mike Pepitone's widow, has been a recurring figure in Axeman theories. Some believe he was the Axeman, and his death explained the cessation of the New Orleans attacks. However, concrete proof linking him to all the crimes remains elusive. * Supernatural Explanations: In a city steeped in voodoo and folklore, it's unsurprising that some attributed the Axeman's deeds to a demonic entity, a notion the Axeman himself played upon in his infamous letter. The lack of forensic technology at the time, coupled with the chaotic nature of the crime scenes and the intense public fear, severely hampered the investigation. The Axeman of New Orleans left behind a legacy of terror and unanswered questions. His crimes exposed societal fissures, particularly the prejudices faced by immigrant communities. The case has since become ingrained in New Orleans folklore, inspiring books, music, television shows, and countless campfire tales. More than a century later, the Axeman's chilling promise to "claim other victims" still echoes. While his axe fell silent, the mystery of his identity and the terrifying period he lorded over New Orleans serve as a grim reminder of the darkness that can lurk beneath the surface of even the most vibrant of cities. The Axeman of New Orleans remains an enigma, a faceless specter in the annals of American true crime, his screams forever a haunting undercurrent in the city that jazz made famous.
By D A R K8 months ago in Criminal
The Black Dahlia Murder (USA)
The Black Dahlia Murder, hailing from Waterford, Michigan, is one of the most significant American bands in the realm of melodic death metal. Formed in 2001, the band carved out a reputation for blending Scandinavian-inspired melodic death metal with American speed and aggression, helping to bridge the gap between European influences and the burgeoning American extreme metal scene of the early 2000s.
By D A R K8 months ago in Criminal
A Chilling Chapter in British Crime History
The Moors Murders stand as one of the most chilling and disturbing criminal cases in British history. Between July 1963 and October 1965, Ian Brady and Myra Hindley lured, tortured, and murdered five children and teenagers in and around Manchester, England. These heinous crimes shocked the nation not only because of their brutality, but also due to the involvement of a seemingly ordinary young couple.
By D A R K8 months ago in Criminal
BREAKING: Cat Named Shaggy Stolen from Tesla in Broad Daylight
In a bizarre and heart-wrenching incident that has left pet lovers and tech enthusiasts equally stunned, a long-haired tabby cat named Shaggy was reportedly stolen from a parked Tesla Model Y in downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday afternoon.
By Erkan Közel8 months ago in Criminal