Female Criminals

As Irma Grese grew up in rural Germany, she watched Adolf Hitler rise to power. Completely swept up in the nationalist views of the Nazi Party, Irma tried to find the best way to serve her country. Eventually, she found her purpose as a concentration camp guard. Parcasters - Is there any truth behind the rumored society that protects the secrets of the Holy Grail? Learn more about the Priory of Sion on this week’s episode of Conspiracy Theories! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the Manson Family turned onto Cielo Drive, time slowed to a crawl. In a few minutes, they would commit five murders that became the most infamous slayings in American history. They intended to start a riot that would burn LA to the ground.  Sponsors! Best Fiends - Play the 5-star rated mobile game! Download FREE on the Apple App Store or Google Play. That’s FRIENDS without the R, Best Fiends! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

By July, 1969, the "Manson Girls” saw Charlie as more than a leader, he was the second coming of Christ. Manson’s cult gospel called them to prepare for a fast approaching race war called Helter Skelter that would burn Southern California to the ground. And if the war didn’t start on its own, they would light the fuse. Parcasters - Don’t miss all of our special Summer of ‘69 episodes by subscribing to Parcast Presents: Summer of ‘69, on Spotify, or anywhere you listen to podcasts! Sponsors! Embrace Pet Insurance - Get your FREE quote at EmbracePetInsurance.com/CRIMINALS right now! Zola - Build your free wedding website on Zola and get $50 toward your registry at ZOLA.com/CRIMINALS. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When 23-year-old Brittany Holberg found herself homeless in Texas, performing sex work, and addicted to cocaine, she didn't think her life would get any worse.  But then a botched robbery became a murder in 1996, and Brittany had to learn to build a new life for herself on Death Row. Sponsors! Gabi - Take 2 minutes and see if you can save up to $865 when you go to Gabi.com/CRIMINALS. Grove Collaborative - Go to Grove.co/CRIMINALS to get a FREE 5-piece Spring Cleaning Set from Mrs. Meyer’s and Grove—  a $30 value! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After an off-handed comment about a serial killer on the loose, Syracuse DA William Fitzpatrick was determined to find out who the "H" family was in Dr. Alfred Steinschnieder's SIDS research. He was convinced the grieving "Mrs. H." was actually a serial killer in disguise.  Sponsors! Pair of Thieves - Get 20% off your first order at PairOfThieves.com/CRIMINALS. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For two decades, Waneta Hoyt was seen as the unluckiest mother in the world. But when new evidence emerged, police wondered if she wasn't a grieving mother, but in fact a serial killer.  Parcasters - When conservation advocate Joy Adamson turned up dead, the authorities initially suspected one of her lions. Little did they know one of her disgruntled employees would be much more dangerous! Listen to her story on Assassinations, available now on Spotify or wherever you get your Parcast Originals! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the early 1900s Ada and Minna Everleigh found their luxurious gentlemen's club in the midst of a moral war with Chicago's more rigid citizens. What these zealots didn't realize, is that the Everleigh Sisters had the government on their side.  Sponsors! Upstart - Hurry to Upstart.com/CRIMINALS to find out HOW LOW your Upstart rate is. Checking your rate only takes a few minutes—and won’t affect your credit! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When sisters Ada and Minna Everleigh opened a brothel in early 1900, citizens were shocked to find that countless potential clients were bluntly turned away at the door. They weren’t suitable, they were told. Not for what was soon to be the most notorious and exclusive gentlemen’s club of the early 20th century. Sponsors! Best Fiends - Best Fiends is a 5-star rated mobile game app available for download FREE on the Apple App Store and Google Play. That’s FRIENDS without the R, Best Fiends! Gabi - Take two minutes and see if you can save up to $865 a year on car insurance at Gabi.com/CRIMINALS. There are NO fees, NO forms, and NO spam. Grove Collaborative - Go to Grove.co/CRIMINALS to get a FREE FIVE PIECE Spring Cleaning Set from Mrs. Meyer’s and Grove! Pair of Thieves - Get 20% off your first order at PairOfThieves.com/CRIMINALS. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 2005, Dr. Felix Polk of San Francisco, was found stabbed to death by his 15-year-old son, Gabriel. But he believed his mother, Susan, was responsible for the death, after years of threatening violence against her husband.   Sponsors! Upstart - Hurry to Upstart.com/CRIMINALS to find out HOW LOW your Upstart rate is. Checking your rate only takes a few minutes—and won’t affect your credit! Zola - To start your free wedding website and also get $50 off your registry on Zola, go to Zola.com/CRIMINALS. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 2002, after twenty years of marriage, 44-year-old Susan Polk of San Francisco, called it quits with her husband, 70-year-old Felix Polk. Susan's reasons for divorce were simple: she believed her husband was a spy working for the CIA and he had brainwashed her and her children.  Parcasters - In Conspiracy Theories this week we explore the North American Union, a supposed superstate created through merging the governments of Mexico, Canada, and the United States. Was it in the plans, is it still? Find out today at parcast.com/conspiracy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stories of her exploits on Rum Row in the early 1920s made Gertrude Lythgoe a tabloid darling. As books and article series were published, America was captivated by the Queen of the Bootleggers. Unfortunately, so was the United States Government. Sponsors! Best Fiends - Don’t miss out on the must-play game of the year! Download Best Fiends for free on the Apple App Store or Google Play. That’s FRIENDS without the R, Best Fiends! Pair of Thieves - Get 20% off your first order at PairOfThieves.com/CRIMINALS.  Upstart - Hurry to Upstart.com/CRIMINALS to find out HOW LOW your Upstart rate is. Checking your rate only takes a few minutes—and won’t affect your credit! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

During the early days of Prohibition in the 1920s, while most young women were focused on getting married and having a family, Gertrude Lythgoe was busy running her wholesale liquor empire in the Bahamas. She started as a secretary in the quiet Midwest, but found herself venturing to the dangerous waters of Rum Row. Sponsors! Grove - Get a 3-piece cleaning set from Mrs. Meyer’s spring scents, a free 60-day VIP membership, and a surprise bonus gift when you sign up and place an order of $20 or more at Grove.co/CRIMINALS. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On Monday, January 29th, 1979, 16-year-old Brenda Spencer shot 350 rounds at a San Diego Elementary School from her front window. Her family and neighbors were stunned by her violent actions. Brenda's response: "I don't like Mondays. This livens up the day." Sponsors! Upstart - Hurry to Upstart.com/CRIMINALS to find out HOW LOW your Upstart rate is. Checking your rate only takes a few minutes—and won’t affect your credit! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Before Parkland, before Sandy Hook, was the 1979 mass shooting at Grover Cleveland Elementary School in San Diego. At 8:30AM on Monday, January 29th, 16-year-old Brenda Spencer lined up her .22 rifle and started firing at the schoolyard across the street from her house. Why would the shy teenager go on such a horrific rampage? Sponsors! Best Fiends - Download the 5-star rated mobile game app for FREE on the Apple App Store or Google Play. That’s FRIENDS without the R, Best Fiends! The Bouqs - Send the Mom’s Day flowers your mom deserves from The Bouqs. Order today and get an extra 20% off when you enter code FEMALE. Pair of Thieves - Get 20% off your first order when you go to PairOfThieves.com/CRIMINALS. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After two months in captivity, Patricia Hearst sided with her kidnappers, the Symbionese Liberation Army. By the end of 1974, the newspaper heiress turned full-blown urban guerrilla. Sponsors! The Bouqs - Get an extra 20% off when you go to Bouqs.com and enter code FEMALE.   Upstart - Hurry to Upstart.com/CRIMINALS to find out HOW LOW your Upstart rate is. Checking your rate only takes a few minutes—and won’t affect your credit! That’s Upstart dot com slash CRIMINALS! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In February of 1974, 19-year-old Patricia Hearst was kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army. Her captivity would become one of the most well-known cases of Stockholm Syndrome in history. Sponsors! Robinhood - Robinhood is giving listeners of Female Criminals a FREE stock like Apple, Ford, or Sprint to help you build your portfolio. Sign up at Criminals.Robinhood.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

She climbed to the top of New York City’s real estate scene by bullying and blackmailing, earning her the moniker "The Queen of Mean." In the late 1980s, when Leona Helmsley was put on trial for fraud and tax evasion, all the little people she'd stepped on over the years lined up for their chance to take a swing at Leona.  Sponsors! Best Fiends - Download Best Fiends for free on the Apple App Store or Google Play! Upstart - Hurry to Upstart.com/CRIMINALS to find out HOW LOW your Upstart rate is. Checking your rate only takes 2 minutes—and won’t affect your credit! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Born in 1920 to poor, Jewish immigrants, Leona Helsley spent the first 30 years of her life doing whatever it took to rise above her humble origins. She changed her name, bullied her competitors, and, if necessary, skirted the corners of the law, engaging in blackmail and fraud. Parcasters - One of the greatest true crime cases in ever told is also one of the most impactful events in our nation’s history! Can you guess which one it is? Find out now at parcast.com/assassinations  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

She was out of options and desperately searching for a way back to her home to America. In 1945, Iva Toguri, stepped forward and claimed to be the infamous Japanese war broadcaster “Tokyo Rose”. Her bold decision landed her a trip back home, but it came with a steep price. Parcasters - If you haven’t checked out our new show, Crimes of Passion, you’re missing out! Listen to our newest episodes on the Jodi Arias trial at parcast.com/passion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A Japanese American found herself stranded in Japan after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, unable to return to the United States. To make ends meet, she started working for Radio Tokyo in the early 1940s, broadcasting to American GIs. But did working for the Japanese turn her into a traitor? Sponsors! BetterHelp - Female Criminals listeners get 10% off your first month with discount code CRIMINALS. Go to BetterHelp.com/Criminals. Robinhood - Robinhood is giving listeners of Female Criminals a FREE stock like Apple, Ford, or Sprint to help you build your portfolio. Sign up at Criminals.Robinhood.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices