In this spellbinding episode of Champagne and Murder, Please, we uncork the dark legacy of the Salem Witch Trials—where fear, hysteria, and power turned neighbor against neighbor in one of history’s most infamous purges. But we don’t stop there. We journey even deeper into the idea of the "witch" through the lens of mythology, exploring the story of Circe, the enchantress of Greek legend who defied gods and men with spells, potions, and unapologetic power. From real-life executions to timeless goddess lore, we peel back the layers of misogyny, myth, and magic. Was it ever really about witchcraft—or simply women who refused to be controlled?

Pour a glass. This one’s as intoxicating as it is infuriating.

• History.com: Salem Witch Trials
  

• Salem Witch Museum
  

• Massachusetts Historical Society – Salem Trials Resources
  

• National Geographic: Legacy of the Salem Witch Trials
  

• Salem Witch Trials Documentary Archive
  

• World History EDU
  

• Wikipedia: List of people of the Salem witch trials

gaudie.co.uk+4ft.com+4independent.co.uk+4.world-catalogue.com+3snargl.com+3fictionvixen.com+3 en.wikipedia.org+1en.wikipedia.org+1.berkeleyfictionreview.org.

In this chilling episode of Champagne and Murder, Please, we journey from the icy wilderness of Alaska to the heart of Atlanta’s Piedmont Park as we examine two tragic cases separated by decades but connected by brutality. First, we delve into the twisted double life of Robert Hansen—the “Butcher Baker”—a seemingly ordinary family man who hunted women in the Alaskan wilderness. Then, we shift to the heartbreaking 2021 murder of Katie Janness, who was walking her dog, Bowie, when both were viciously attacked in a public park. We explore the facts, the fears, and the frustrating search for justice. Pour yourself a glass—this one’s going to stay with you.

• Schechter, H., & Everitt, D. (1996). The A to Z Encyclopedia of Serial Killers. Pocket Books.
  

• Ramsland, K. (2010). The Forensic Psychology of Criminal Minds. Berkley.
  

• Douglas, J. E., & Olshaker, M. (1995). Mindhunter: Inside the FBI’s Elite Serial Crime Unit. Scribner.
  

• Larsen, D. (2002). “Robert Hansen: The Butcher Baker,” Crime Library.
  

• Alaska State Troopers: Case archives and interviews with Glenn Flothe.
  

• Anchorage Daily News archives (1980–1985).
  

• “The Frozen Ground” (2013) and companion documentary interviews.
  

NamUs. (2023). National Missing and Unidentified Persons System. https://www.namus.gov

• Atlanta Police Department & FBI press releases (2021–2024)
  

• Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “One Year Later: Remembering Katie Janness”
  

• FOX 5 Atlanta & CBS46, interviews with Emma Clark
  

• 11Alive news coverage of vigils and police updates
  

• Reddit threads from locals and community updates (r/Atlanta)
  

• Fulton County Medical Examiner autopsy report (covered via FOIA requests)
  

• GoFundMe: “Justice for Katie Janness” fund

In this gripping episode, we explore two of history's most infamous criminal duos—Leopold and Loeb, the privileged prodigies who committed a shocking "thrill kill" in 1924, and Bonnie and Clyde, the Depression-era lovers whose crime spree captivated and terrified the nation. What drove these pairs to such extremes? How did their relationships fuel their descent into violence? Join us as we unravel the psychology, passion, and notoriety behind these deadly partnerships—and the legacies they left behind.

1. Leopold, Nathan. Life Plus 99 Years. Doubleday & Co., 1958.

2. Darrow, Clarence. “The Plea of Clarence Darrow.” The Clarence Darrow Digital Collection, University of Minnesota, 1924. https://darrow.law.umn.edu

3. Higdon, Hal. Leopold and Loeb: The Crime of the Century. University of Illinois Press, 1999.

4. Baatz, Simon. For the Thrill of It: Leopold, Loeb, and the Murder That Shocked Chicago. HarperCollins, 2008.

5. “Leopold and Loeb.” FBI Records Vault. https://vault.fbi.gov/Leopold%20and%20Loeb

6. Wilson, Colin. A Criminal History of Mankind. Mercury Books, 2005.

7. “The Trial of Leopold and Loeb.” Famous Trials, by Douglas Linder, University of Missouri-Kansas City Law School. https://famous-trials.com/leopoldloeb

• Jeff Guinn, Go Down Together: The True, Untold Story of Bonnie and Clyde
  

• Blanche Caldwell Barrow, My Life with Bonnie and Clyde
  

• John Neal Phillips, Running with Bonnie and Clyde
  

• Texas State Historical Association, www.tshaonline.org
  

• FBI Archives, vault.fbi.gov

In this powerful episode, we explore the lives, legacies, and tragic deaths of two music icons from vastly different worlds—Tejano superstar Selena Quintanilla and metal guitar legend Dimebag Darrell. Though their genres, audiences, and styles were worlds apart, both artists left an indelible mark on music history and were taken from us far too soon by senseless acts of violence. Join us as we honor their journeys, reflect on their cultural impact, and examine the eerie similarities in their final days. From the rise to stardom to the shocking endings—this is a tribute to the unstoppable spirit of two unforgettable legends.

• Texas Monthly, April 1995 – “Murder in the Lone Star State: The Selena Story”
  

• Los Angeles Times, 2015 – “Selena: A Star Still Shining”
  

• Houston Chronicle, April 2025 – “Yolanda Saldívar Denied Parole”
  

• Selena (1997 film), Warner Bros.
  

• Court transcripts: State of Texas v. Yolanda Saldívar, 1995
  

• Corpus Christi Caller-Times archives
  

• Texas Department of Criminal Justice Inmate Records
  

• Selena: The Series, Netflix (2020–2021)
  

• Selena Forever Museum – Quintanilla Family Foundation
  

EMI Latin album liner notes

• Rolling Stone. “Pantera Guitarist Killed Onstage.” Dec 9, 2004.
  

• Loudwire. “How Dimebag Darrell’s Death Changed Concert Security Forever.”
  

• Guitar World. “Remembering Dimebag Darrell.”
  

• Billboard. “Dimebag Darrell’s Legacy and the Security Changes After His Death.”
  

• Interviews with Vinnie Paul (2005–2017)
  

• Police Reports, Columbus Division of Police
  

Legal studies: “Venue Liability in Artist On-Stage Injury,” Journal of Entertainment Law (2006)

This week on Champagne and Murder, Please, we lace up our hiking boots and head deep into the misty heart of the Appalachian Trail—where the line between reality and legend is as thin as the mountain air. From ghostly hitchhikers and eerie lights in the woods, to cryptids, vanished hikers, and ancient curses whispered through the trees, the Trail holds more than just scenic beauty. Join us as we sip something bubbly and dive into the dark folklore and chilling encounters that haunt one of America's most iconic and mysterious wilderness paths. Don’t stray from the trail… something might be watching.

Sources and Further Reading

• Paulides, David. Missing 411: Eastern United States

• Bragg, Lynn. Ghosts of the Blue Ridge Mountains

• Appalachian Trail Conservancy shelter logs

• Hiker testimonials from Reddit, WhiteBlaze, and Trail Journals

• Cherokee Myths and Legends archives

1. WhiteBlaze.net Forums – “Creepiest Thing on the Trail” thread (2012)
   

2. Southern Highroads Trail Guide: "Blood Mountain History," Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources
   

3. Reddit: r/AppalachianTrail – “Weirdest Stuff You’ve Heard at Night” thread
   

4. Joe Tennis, Legends of the Smokies, Mountain Press (2008)
   

5. TrailJournals.com, “Strange Shelter Encounter,” Appalachian Trail (2017)
   

6. Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, "Urban Legend of the Green Man" (2005)
   

7. GhostsofAmerica.com – Pine Grove Furnace sightings archive
   

8. Randy Russell, Appalachian Ghost Stories, Blair Press (2005)
   

9. Virginia Folklore Society, “Moonshine Dogs and Superstition in Shenandoah”
   

10. Michael Rivers, Appalachian Supernatural: The Hidden Histories (2011)
    

11. David Paulides, Missing 411: Eastern United States (2012)
    

12. TrailJournals.com – Glastenbury Mountain entry (2015)
    

13. Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association (ALDHA) forums – Cold People Sightings (2018)

In this chilling episode of Champagne and Murder, Please, we dive deep into two hauntingly different but equally disturbing tales linked by water and death. First, we unravel the twisted world of Leonard Lake—prepper, predator, and one half of one of California’s most sadistic killer duos. Discover how his warped fantasies and bunker full of secrets turned into a real-life nightmare.

Then, we step back in time to 1934 and explore the mystery of the “Lady of the Lake,” a still-unidentified woman whose remains surfaced in Lake Erie, shrouded in rumors, coded messages, and Great Depression-era darkness. What links these two stories isn't just the water—but the chilling stillness it holds before horror rises to the surface.

Get ready for murder, mystery, and murky waters—because some things should never be dredged up.

https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/june-2/serial-killing-spree-is-put-to-an-end

https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/new-victim-california-serial-killer-duo-identified-20062061.php

https://www.kcra.com/article/wilseyville-serial-killers-remains-identified/64459155

https://www.clevelandpolicemuseum.org/collections/torso-murders/

https://clevelandhistorical.org/items/show/376

https://vocal.media/criminal/the-cleveland-torso-killer-the-man-who-destroyed-a-legend

What happens when family values become a mask for abuse—and no one’s watching closely enough to stop it?

In this chilling episode of Champagne & Murder Please, we dive deep into two shocking and deeply unsettling family cases: the public unraveling of Kevin and Ruby Franke—famous for their YouTube channel “8 Passengers”—and the harrowing case of Travis Decker, a Washington father accused of the unthinkable.

We explore how outward appearances can hide horrifying truths, how communities and systems fail to intervene, and what these cases reveal about the darker side of family life that’s too often ignored. Grab your drink and your detective hat—this one’s going to haunt you long after the episode ends.

https://people.com/where-is-ruby-franke-husband-now-8788008

https://www.fox13now.com/news/crime/evidence-released-shows-severity-of-abuse-in-franke-and-hildebrandt-case

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/ruby-franke-docuseries-hulu-new-details-child-abuse-case-rcna193738

https://abcnews.go.com/US/father-killed-3-daughters-active-dad-system-failed/story?id=122550676

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/06/04/death-sisters-travis-decker-familiar-tragedy/84029416007/

https://www.fox13seattle.com/news/cops-release-new-video-travis-decker

In this chilling episode of Champagne & Murder Please, we explore two haunting tales that blur the line between mystery and madness. First, we revisit the heartbreaking 1984 disappearance of 5-year-old Renee Aitken, who vanished from her North Carolina bedroom without a trace—no forced entry, no clear suspect, and decades of unanswered questions. Then, we dive into the terrifying mind of Richard Chase, the so-called "Vampire of Sacramento," whose brief but brutal killing spree in the late 1970s left six victims dead—and the nation shaken. What drives someone to drink human blood? And how can a child disappear so silently into the night? Join us as we trace the shadowy paths of two very different horrors—one unsolved, the other unforgettable.

https://int-missing.fandom.com/wiki/Renee_Aitken

https://www.doenetwork.org/cases-int/252dfnsw.html

https://australianmissingpersonsregister.com/ampr/Aitken.htm

https://vault.fbi.gov/richard-chase/Richard%20Chase%20Part%2001%20%28Final%29

https://californiarevealed.org/do/6a7346c6-d39d-4d09-956a-89b884b091f0

https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/january-27/the-so-called-dracula-killer