Morbid

After Lorenna Bobbitt’s husband John sexually assaulted her at their home in Virginia in the summer of 1993, she retaliated by waiting until he was asleep, she decided to fight back. Following the attack, Lorena fled the house in her car and eventually pulled over to the side of the road to call 911 and report the incident, at which time she was arrested. Though salacious, this incident of domestic violence would likely have gone unnoticed by the rest of the American public; however, at the time, debates about domestic violence and marital rape were raging and the Bobbitt case came to serve as an example of the consequences and effects of that violence, for arguments on both sides. As a result, the Bobbitt case became one of the most high-profile criminal cases in the country—and then it became a national joke.

References

Anolik, Lili. 2018. "Lorena Bobbitt's American Dream." Vanity Fair, June 28.

Chozick, Amy. 2019. "You know the Lorena Bobbitt story. But not all of it." New York Times Magazine, January 30.

Effron, Lauren, and Sean Dooley. 2019. John Bobbitt speaks out 25 years after wife infamously cut off his penis. January 4. Accessed July 10, 2026. https://abcnews.com/US/john-bobbitt-speaks-25-years-wife-infamously-cut/story?id=60023049.

Labton, Stephen. 1993. "Husband acquitted of assault in mutilation case." New York Times, November 11: 18.

Lentz, Kelsey. 2025. "Where Is Lorena Bobbitt Now? All About Her Life 32 Years After She Cut Her Husband's Genitals Off." People Magazine, June 23.

New York Times. 1993. "Battle of the sexes joined in case of mutilation." New York Times, November 8: 16.

—. 1993. "Husband tells court of sexual mutilation by wife." New York Times, November 10: 20.

—. 1993. "Tearful woman tells jury why she cut off her husband's penis." New York Times, November 9: B8.

—. 1993. "Tearful woman tells jury why she cut off her husband's penis." New York Times, November 9: B8.

News, CBS. 2008. Lorena Bobbitt, 15 years later. June 25. Accessed July 14, 2026. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/lorena-bobbitt-15-years-later/.

Potomac News. 1993. "Maimed man ponders TV offers for his story." Potomac News, July 11: 1.

Silman, Anna. 2019. "The Bobbitt penis doctor on the surgery he'll never forget." The Cut, February 13.

Tannenbaum, Denyse. 1993. "No rape, mutilated man says." Potomac News, July 13: 1.

Valle, Ana. 1994. "Bobbitt trial to resume Tuesday after emotional Friday." Potomac News, January 16: 8.

—. 1994. "Experts disagree on state of mind." Potomac News, January 19: 1.

Williams, Marcia. 1993. "Ebert needs to watch his words carefully." Potomac News, December 3: 10.

Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)
Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)
Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley
Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally
Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

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On the evening of December 24, 1926, a farmer in Farwell, Texas, called the sheriff to report that his neighbor, George Hassell, had been acting very strangely in recent days and he had been telling conflicting stories about the whereabouts of his family, who had been missing for several days. When the sheriff arrived at the Hassell farm, he began questioning George about where his family had gone, but mid conversation, Hassell removed a pocket knife from his pocket and stabbed himself three times in the chest. 

Hassell was taken to the hospital, where he was not expected to survive, but against the odds, George pulled through. With no option for escape and having given law enforcement good reason to suspect him in the disappearance of his family, George began confessing to multiple murders. At first, it was assumed he had flown into a rage and murdered his family a week earlier, but the more Hassell talked, the clearer it became that George Hassell violent and murderous behavior went well beyond the walls of his home in Farwell.

References

Associated Press. 1927. "Hassell death edict to stand." Fort Worth Record-Telegram, February 15: 1.

—. 1928. "Hassell is fifth white man to chair." Fort Worth Record-Telegram, February 10: 1.

—. 1926. "Sheriff expects full statement from Hassell." San Antonio Express-News, December 26: 1.

—. 1928. "Slayer of 13 thanks judge for sentence." San Antonio Express-News, January 11: 1.

Church, Marlowe. 2019. "Hassell offered detailed confession." Eastern New Mexico News, September 3.

Morning Press . 1927. "Texas killer's name heard in Whittier case." Morning Press (Santa Barbara, CA), January 1: 1.

Roth, Michael. 2022. Man with the Killer Smile: The Life and Crimes of a Serial Mass Murderer. Denton, TX: University of North Texas Press.

San Antonio Express-News. 1927. "Hassell's California victims identified." San Antonio Express-News, February 12: 5.

Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)
Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)
Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley
Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally
Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In eighteenth and nineteenth century England, two phantom stalkers terrorized the public and captured the collective imagination to the point of violence. However, violent outcomes and legal consequences notwithstanding, neither phantom was ever anything more than a figment of people’s imaginations.

References

Associated Press. 1938. "Roving bands, armed with clubs, hunt Halifax Slasher." Sheboygan Press, November 29: 1.

Daily Echo. 1938. "Halifax 'Slasher' a myth." Daily Echo, December 2: 14.

Daily Record. 1938. "Maniac slasher terrorises women." Daily Record, November 28: 1.

—. 1938. "Police say there is no slasher." Daily Record, December 2: 1.

Daily Telegraph. 1938. "Man slashed in street." Daily Telegraph (London, UK), November 25: 16.

Dorset Echo. 1938. "Slasher strikes for the 11th time." Dorset Echo, November 28: 1.

Feikert-Ahalt, Clare. 2015. The Case of a Ghost Haunted England for Over Two Hundred Years. October 30. Accessed July 1, 2026. https://blogs.loc.gov/law/2015/10/the-case-of-a-ghost-haunted-england-for-over-two-hundred-years/.

Herald Express. 1938. "Halifax 'Slasher' strikes again." Herald Express, November 28: 1.

Kirby, R.S. 1804. Kirby's Wonderful and Scientific Museum: or Magazine of Remarkable Characters. London, UK: Lond House Yard.

McArdle, Helen. 2022. "Panic around needle spiking amounts to psychogenic illness." The Herald, December 10: 20.

Mitchell, Edwin Valentine. 1926. "Francis Smith: Condemned to death for the murder of a supposed ghost." In The Newgate calendar: Comprising interesting memoirs of the most notorious characters who have been convicted of outrages on the laws of England, by Edwin Valentine Mitchell. Garden City, NY: Garden City Publishing Company.

South Wales Evening Post. 1938. "Halifax still fears 'The Slasher'." South Wales Evening Post, December 1: 1.

Telegraph and Argus. 1927. "Dresses slashed with razor." Telegraph and Argus, February 16: 7.

The Guardian. 1938. "Girl on mischief charge." The Guardian, December 14: 3.

Western Mail. 1938. "Silent attacker alarms town; police reward offer." Western Mail, November 26: 7.

Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)
Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)
Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley
Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally
Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In the summer of 1982, it became obvious that a serial killer was operating in the Tacoma area and dumping his victims in the waters of the Green River. In time, The Green River Killer, as the press soon dubbed him, would claim a staggering number of victims to become the most prolific serial killer in American history, a title he would hold until relatively recently.

References

Associated Press. 1985. "Bones found near Portland were from woman on Green River list."Daily Herald (Everett, WA), June 15: 1.

—. 1985. "Green River case is tough, but not impossible: expert."Daily Herald (Everett, WA), September 18: 13.

—. 1984. "Woman is identified as 27th Green River victim."Daily Herald (Everett, WA), October 16: 21.

—. 1986. "Green River: 35th victim is identified."Daily Herald (Evertt, WA), May 5: 6.

—. 1985. "County welcomes FBI help in Green River case."Kitsap Sun (Bremerton, WA), September 13: 23.

—. 2001. "Green River suspect arrested ."Kitsap Sun (Bremerton, WA), December 1: 1.

—. 1985. "Detectives doubt Green River killer has moved to Portland."Longview Daily News (Longview, WA), Janaury 1: 9.

—. 1989. "Green River tas force could fold within a year."News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), December 9: 16.

—. 1983. "'Green River Killer' may have slain 19 women."Spokane Chronicle, November 12: 1.

CNN. 2003..December 19. Accessed June 19, 2026. https://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/12/18/green.river.sentencing/.

—. 2003.Green River Killer Gary Ridgway's statement to the court.November 5. Accessed June 17, 2026. https://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/11/05/ridgway.statement/index.html.

Cronin, Teresa. 1982. "Prostitution problem waning."News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), July 15: A4.

—. 1984. "Slain daughter should be alive, her mother says."News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), July 1: 37.

Daily Herald. 1990. "Green River case stuck, sheriff says."Daily Herald (Everett, WA), July 21: 11.

Dardarian, Suki. 1982. "Slayings of five women linked, police believe."Daily Herald (Everett, WA), August 16: 2.

Gildenhar, Jan. 1983. "As the death toll rises, police seek new leads."News Tribune (Spokan, WA), November 6: 14.

Gillespie, Elizabeth. 2005. "Hiker finds skull of Green River killer victim."News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), November 23: 13.

Gutman, David. 2024. "DNA testing, onbituary helped identify victim of Green River killer."Spokesman-Review (Spokane, WA), January 7: 5.

Harden, Mark. 1985. "With no new murders in a year, Green River trail grows cold."Daily Herald (Everett, WA), January 6: 31.

Ho, Vanessa, Hector Castro, and Tracy Johnson. 2001.A father led police to Ridgway in 1983.December 6. Accessed June 11, 2026. https://www.seattlepi.com/seattlenews/article/a-father-led-police-to-ridgway-in-1983-1073920.php.

Hunter, Steve. 2024.Reichert shares details of Green River Killer case with Kent students.April 25. Accessed June 10, 2026. https://www.kentreporter.com/2024/04/25/reichert-shares-details-of-green-river-killer-case-with-kent-students/.

—. 2024.Reichert shares details of Green River Killer case with Kent students.April 25. Accessed June 19, 2026. https://www.kentreporter.com/2024/04/25/reichert-shares-details-of-green-river-killer-case-with-kent-students/.

Johnson, Gene. 2003. "Everett father's words draw tears."Daily Herald (Everett, WA), December 19: 1.

McCarthy, Terry, and Nathan Thronburgh. 2002. "River of death."Time, June 3.

News Tribune. 1983. "A killer is loose, does anyone care?"News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), November 9: 22.

—. 1982. "Local prostitute among dead."News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), August 17: 1.

—. 1982. "Police have Green River killer's mental profile."News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), September 21: 4.

Rule, Ann. 2005.Green River, Running Red: The Real Story of the Green River Killer--America's Deadliest Serial Murderer.New York, NY: Pocket Books.

Smith, Carlton, and Thomas Guillen. 1991.The Search for the Green River Killer.New York, NY: Onyx.

State of Washington v Gary Leon Ridgway.2001. 01-01-10270-9 SEA (Superior Court of Washington for King County).

Sullivan, Jennifer. 2012. "Another Green River victim ID'd."Longview Daily News, June 20: 3.

Suttle, Gestin. 1993. "Skull found near Auburn identified as Bellevue woman, 19."News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), February 5: 20.

Walter, Jess. 1990. "Possible suspects listed in killings."Spokane Chronicle, June 22: 3.

Wilson, Duff. 2003.Profiler can't recall why he said letter wasn't from Green River killer.November 26. Accessed June 11, 2026. https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20031126/greenriver26m/profiler-cant-recall-why-he-said-letter-wasnt-from-green-river-killer.

Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)
Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)
Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley
Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally
Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In the summer of 1982, it became obvious that a serial killer was operating in the Tacoma area and dumping his victims in the waters of the Green River. In time, The Green River Killer, as the press soon dubbed him, would claim a staggering number of victims to become the most prolific serial killer in American history, a title he would hold until relatively recently.

References

Associated Press. 1985. "Bones found near Portland were from woman on Green River list."Daily Herald (Everett, WA), June 15: 1.

—. 1985. "Green River case is tough, but not impossible: expert."Daily Herald (Everett, WA), September 18: 13.

—. 1984. "Woman is identified as 27th Green River victim."Daily Herald (Everett, WA), October 16: 21.

—. 1986. "Green River: 35th victim is identified."Daily Herald (Evertt, WA), May 5: 6.

—. 1985. "County welcomes FBI help in Green River case."Kitsap Sun (Bremerton, WA), September 13: 23.

—. 2001. "Green River suspect arrested ."Kitsap Sun (Bremerton, WA), December 1: 1.

—. 1985. "Detectives doubt Green River killer has moved to Portland."Longview Daily News (Longview, WA), Janaury 1: 9.

—. 1989. "Green River tas force could fold within a year."News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), December 9: 16.

—. 1983. "'Green River Killer' may have slain 19 women."Spokane Chronicle, November 12: 1.

CNN. 2003..December 19. Accessed June 19, 2026. https://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/12/18/green.river.sentencing/.

—. 2003.Green River Killer Gary Ridgway's statement to the court.November 5. Accessed June 17, 2026. https://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/11/05/ridgway.statement/index.html.

Cronin, Teresa. 1982. "Prostitution problem waning."News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), July 15: A4.

—. 1984. "Slain daughter should be alive, her mother says."News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), July 1: 37.

Daily Herald. 1990. "Green River case stuck, sheriff says."Daily Herald (Everett, WA), July 21: 11.

Dardarian, Suki. 1982. "Slayings of five women linked, police believe."Daily Herald (Everett, WA), August 16: 2.

Gildenhar, Jan. 1983. "As the death toll rises, police seek new leads."News Tribune (Spokan, WA), November 6: 14.

Gillespie, Elizabeth. 2005. "Hiker finds skull of Green River killer victim."News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), November 23: 13.

Gutman, David. 2024. "DNA testing, onbituary helped identify victim of Green River killer."Spokesman-Review (Spokane, WA), January 7: 5.

Harden, Mark. 1985. "With no new murders in a year, Green River trail grows cold."Daily Herald (Everett, WA), January 6: 31.

Ho, Vanessa, Hector Castro, and Tracy Johnson. 2001.A father led police to Ridgway in 1983.December 6. Accessed June 11, 2026. https://www.seattlepi.com/seattlenews/article/a-father-led-police-to-ridgway-in-1983-1073920.php.

Hunter, Steve. 2024.Reichert shares details of Green River Killer case with Kent students.April 25. Accessed June 10, 2026. https://www.kentreporter.com/2024/04/25/reichert-shares-details-of-green-river-killer-case-with-kent-students/.

—. 2024.Reichert shares details of Green River Killer case with Kent students.April 25. Accessed June 19, 2026. https://www.kentreporter.com/2024/04/25/reichert-shares-details-of-green-river-killer-case-with-kent-students/.

Johnson, Gene. 2003. "Everett father's words draw tears."Daily Herald (Everett, WA), December 19: 1.

McCarthy, Terry, and Nathan Thronburgh. 2002. "River of death."Time, June 3.

News Tribune. 1983. "A killer is loose, does anyone care?"News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), November 9: 22.

—. 1982. "Local prostitute among dead."News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), August 17: 1.

—. 1982. "Police have Green River killer's mental profile."News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), September 21: 4.

Rule, Ann. 2005.Green River, Running Red: The Real Story of the Green River Killer--America's Deadliest Serial Murderer.New York, NY: Pocket Books.

Smith, Carlton, and Thomas Guillen. 1991.The Search for the Green River Killer.New York, NY: Onyx.

State of Washington v Gary Leon Ridgway.2001. 01-01-10270-9 SEA (Superior Court of Washington for King County).

Sullivan, Jennifer. 2012. "Another Green River victim ID'd."Longview Daily News, June 20: 3.

Suttle, Gestin. 1993. "Skull found near Auburn identified as Bellevue woman, 19."News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), February 5: 20.

Walter, Jess. 1990. "Possible suspects listed in killings."Spokane Chronicle, June 22: 3.

Wilson, Duff. 2003.Profiler can't recall why he said letter wasn't from Green River killer.November 26. Accessed June 11, 2026. https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20031126/greenriver26m/profiler-cant-recall-why-he-said-letter-wasnt-from-green-river-killer.

Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)
Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)
Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley
Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally
Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.