Shelly Knotek: Mother, Manipulator, Murderer

Retired FBI agent and criminal profiler Candice DeLong dives into the case of Christopher Wilder. In 1984, Wilder went on a terrifying cross-country rampage that lasted 47 days and claimed the lives of at least eight young women, who believed that Wilder would help them achieve their modeling dreams. Known as the “Beauty Queen Killer,” he used his charm and wealth to manipulate and control his victims before subjecting them to horrific violence. Candice examines how Wilder’s deeply rooted fantasies and past criminal behavior escalated into a nationwide killing spree – and how a relentless manhunt brought his reign of terror to an end.Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletterNeed more Killer Psyche? With Wondery+, enjoy exclusive episodes, early access to new ones, and they’re always ad-free. Start your free trial in the Wondery App or visit wondery.app.link/TI5l5KzpDLb now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Retired FBI agent and criminal profiler Candice DeLong explores the case of Pedro Alonso López. In the late 1970s, López terrorized young girls across Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador, amassing a suspected victim count of more than 300. López was dubbed “The Monster of the Andes” due to the sheer horror and depravity of his crimes – and his own admission of enjoying the suffering of his vulnerable victims. Candice examines how López’s troubled and tragic upbringing initially led him into a life of crime, and explores how a man transformed into a monster. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletterNeed more Killer Psyche? With Wondery+, enjoy exclusive episodes, early access to new ones, and they’re always ad-free. Start your free trial in the Wondery App or visit wondery.app.link/TI5l5KzpDLb now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Retired FBI agent and criminal profiler Candice DeLong dives into the case of mother-son duo Barbara and Antony Baekeland. Behind the facade of a beautiful socialite and doting mother, Barbara Baekeland was not as charming as she seemed. She harbored a dark and twisted obsession with her son – an obsession that would lead him to kill his own mother in cold blood. Candice unravels the shocking relationship between them, exploring how Barbara’s overbearing need for control ended in her downfall.Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletterNeed more Killer Psyche? With Wondery+, enjoy exclusive episodes, early access to new ones, and they’re always ad-free. Start your free trial in the Wondery App or visit wondery.app.link/TI5l5KzpDLb now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When Luigi Mangione allegedly gunned down UnitedHealthcare’s CEO, the media called it a senseless crime. But online, a different story emerged—one of rage, reckoning, and a suspected killer turned folk hero. More than just a true crime podcast, LUIGI, hosted by Jesse Weber, dares to look beyond the crime and the accused to explore a cultural tipping point in America, asking you to decide - is the status quo enough, or is it time for a cultural reckoning?Listen to Law&Crime’s LUIGI exclusively on Wondery+ and follow the show page to keep up on all the latest developments. You can join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. Visit www.wondery.com/links/luigi and start your free trial now!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Retired FBI agent and criminal profiler Candice DeLong examines the case of Albert Fish. Though he appeared harmless, Fish was anything but; his crimes were fueled by a disturbing blend of sadism, cruelty, and unimaginable depravity. Candice unpacks the disturbing psychology behind his crimes and the twisted fantasies that fueled his brutality. Then, she sits down with legendary true crime author Harold Schechter, who wrote Deranged: The Shocking True Story of America’s Most Fiendish Killer!, to discuss Fish’s traumatic past, his chilling confessions, and what his case reveals about the darkest corners of the human mind.Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletterNeed more Killer Psyche? With Wondery+, enjoy exclusive episodes, early access to new ones, and they’re always ad-free. Start your free trial in the Wondery App or visit wondery.app.link/TI5l5KzpDLb now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Retired FBI agent and criminal profiler Candice DeLong examines the case of Aaron Hernandez. Once a rising NFL star at the top of his game, Hernandez’s legacy took a dark turn when his past caught up with him, resulting in a murder conviction – and, eventually, his own death. Candice discusses how a devastating combination of a troubled upbringing and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) could have played a role in his deadly actions.Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletterNeed more Killer Psyche? With Wondery+, enjoy exclusive episodes, early access to new ones, and they’re always ad-free. Start your free trial in the Wondery App or visit wondery.app.link/TI5l5KzpDLb now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Retired FBI agent and criminal profiler Candice DeLong delves into the chilling case of Shelly Knotek, a woman who hid monstrous cruelty behind a facade of kindness. For years, Shelly inflicted years of abuse, control, and torture on her own family and friends – completely undetected. Candice unpacks the psychological tactics Shelly used to break her victims, the horrifying extent of her abuse, and how the shocking truth finally came to light, ending years of unchecked brutality.Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletterNeed more Killer Psyche? With Wondery+, enjoy exclusive episodes, early access to new ones, and they’re always ad-free. Start your free trial in the Wondery App or visit wondery.app.link/TI5l5KzpDLb now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Retired FBI agent and criminal profiler Candice DeLong dives into the infamous case of John Wilkes Booth. Once recognized for his charm, good looks, and talent, Booth cemented himself in history when he shot and killed Abraham Lincoln in 1865 – becoming the first person to ever assassinate an American president. Candice examines how a promising actor became a cold blooded killer, and explains how radicalization and a thirst for fame played a role in his deadly actions.Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletterNeed more Killer Psyche? With Wondery+, enjoy exclusive episodes, early access to new ones, and they’re always ad-free. Start your free trial in the Wondery App or visit wondery.app.link/TI5l5KzpDLb now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Retired FBI agent and criminal profiler Candice DeLong examines the case of Andrew Cunanan. In 1997, Cunanan infamously murdered iconic fashion designer Gianni Versace at his Florida mansion. But months before the crime shocked the world, Cunanan had killed at least four men across the country – landing him on the radar of the FBI. Candice explores how Cunanan’s pursuit of wealth and flair for the dramatic spiraled into instability, and discusses how he used murder to make a mark on the world.Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletterNeed more Killer Psyche? With Wondery+, enjoy exclusive episodes, early access to new ones, and they’re always ad-free. Start your free trial in the Wondery App or visit wondery.app.link/TI5l5KzpDLb now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Retired FBI agent and criminal profiler Candice DeLong dives into the case of Linda Hazzard, also known as the “Starvation Doctor.” Deluded by her belief that fasting cures all diseases, Hazzard killed at least 14 people in the 20th century by subjecting them to fatally restrictive diets. And when her patients were on the wealthier side, she used their physical weakness to her financial advantage. Candice explores how a childhood sickness might have contributed to Hazzard’s harmful health beliefs, and explains how a mix of greed and narcissism emboldened her to starve people to death.Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletterNeed more Killer Psyche? With Wondery+, enjoy exclusive episodes, early access to new ones, and they’re always ad-free. Start your free trial in the Wondery App or visit wondery.app.link/TI5l5KzpDLb now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.