Txikisode 5

Irene Garza, a young schoolteacher and beauty queen from McAllen, Texas, mysteriously vanished in 1960 after attending confession at a local church. If you haven't already, be sure to listen to Part One for the full context of this gripping two-episode saga. In Part Two, hosts Julie and Douglas continue to unravel the complexities surrounding Irene's case. The discovery of her lifeless body days later exposed a disturbing crime that remained unsolved for decades. Join us as we delve into the aftermath, exploring the impact on McAllen and the challenges faced in seeking resolution and closure for Irene Garza's tragic fate.Content Warning: this episode discusses sexual assault, gender violence and child sexual abuse

This week, Crimes of the Basquelands uncovers Part One of the story surrounding Irene Garza, a schoolteacher and beauty queen from McAllen, Texas. In 1960, after attending confession at a local church, Irene's life took a dark turn. Days later, her lifeless body was discovered, revealing a grim and shocking truth. Join hosts Julie and Douglas as they unravel the details of Irene Garza's tragic story.Content warning: mentions of sexual assault and descriptions of extreme violence

In this episode and in honour of the 40-year anniversary, Julie and Douglas delve into the harrowing events of the 1983 floods. This natural disaster which happened during Bilbao's "Aste Nagusia", was a celebration turned catastrophe.As the festive spirit swept through the city, an unexpected villain emerged—the relentless rainfall. Bilbao, caught in the grips of torrential downpours, witnessed the Nervion River swell beyond its banks. What began as a joyous occasion soon transformed into a disaster of epic proportions.Join us as we unravel the tale of nature's wrath, exploring the devastation that ensued and the city's struggle to cope. Festivities drowned in the rising waters, but the true crime lay in the economic and emotional aftermath. Lives disrupted, livelihoods lost, and a city left grappling with the scars of a disaster.

In our compact Txikisodes, Julie and Douglas tag-team to serve up quick doses of recent crime stories either unfolding in the Basque Country or intricately connected to it.This week's lineup is quite the whirlwind: a shocking local femicide that hits close to home, kidnapped priests in Nicaragua, and believe it or not—a Basque eel trafficking operation! Join us for swift, punchy stories that'll keep you in the know on all things Basque and crime.Content Warning: The first story details gender-based violent crime

In this episode, Julie and Douglas transport you to 1650, to the village of Liérganes in Cantabria, Spain. After facing hardship after the passing of her husband, a Lierganes mother sends one of her sons, Francisco, to Bilbao to learn carpentry. Tragedy struck in 1674 when Francisco vanished while swimming in Bilbao's estuary. He was presumed drowned. However, in 1679, fishermen encountered a strange creature tangled in their nets in Cadiz's bay. What they found was astonishing—a young man with white skin, red hair, and fish-like features, including scales on his throat, spine, and gills on his neck. Join us as we dive into the mysterious story of Francisco de la Vega Casar and the baffling sea creature. Julie and Douglas will be your storytellers in this captivating tale that blurs the line between reality and legend.

In the riveting season finale of our podcast, Julie and Douglas turn their attention to a historic and heart-wrenching event that forever marked the Basque town of Bermeo. It was February 4, 1912, when Bermeo was struck by a catastrophic storm known as a “Galerna.”This devastating natural disaster left an indelible impact on the local people and their way of life. Join us as we unravel the chain of unfortunate events that led to this tragedy, and delve into the heroic efforts made by the community to support Bermeo and its resilient residents in the aftermath.Don’t miss this powerful and emotional episode that pays tribute to the resilience of the Basque people and their unwavering spirit in the face of adversity.Content warning: discussions of loss and drowning

In our compact Txikisodes, Julie and Douglas tag-team to serve up quick doses of recent crime stories either unfolding in the Basque Country or intricately connected to it.This week, Julie and Douglas go though a handful of crimes from around the Basquelands, from our own Basque #FloridaMan to gold prospectors being killed in the forests of Colombia, come explore some tragedies with us, some not as grim the rest.

In this week’s extended episode, Julie and Douglas are back to take you on a chilling true crime journey through the dark and disturbing events that unfolded in Vitoria-Gasteiz during the late nineties. This one’s a real nail-biter, so make sure to hang on to your txapela (that’s the Basque beret) because things are about to get intense.Get ready as we peel back the layers and dive deep into the unsettling details of each gruesome murder. But that’s not all—we’ll also delve into the background of the man believed to be responsible for these heinous crimes. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill true crime story; it’s a rollercoaster of suspense and intrigue that will leave you at the edge of your seat. So, brace yourself for a longer episode that promises to keep you hooked from start to finish.Content Warning: this episode contains descriptions of extreme violence.

In our compact Txikisodes, Julie and Douglas tag-team to serve up quick doses of recent crime stories either unfolding in the Basque Country or intricately connected to it.In this week's Txikisode, Julie and Douglas delve into a series of rather somber stories from the Basquelands. From a shocking poisoning incident in Barakaldo to a distressing gender violence case in Deusto, and from a murder in Chile to a stabbing in San Juan de Luz, this episode ventures into the darker corners of recent events. Brace yourself, as the content is not for the faint-hearted—it's a stark exploration of the more serious and unsettling side of the news in the Basque region.

In this week’s special episode, Julie and Douglas are joined by our good friends Iñigo and Ramón to unravel a truly harrowing true crime tale. Picture this: it’s May of 1976, and the Carlist movement’s annual pilgrimage to the picturesque mountain Montejurra in Navarre, near Estella, takes a dark and deadly turn.This isn’t your typical historical narrative. This episode adopts a more conversational tone and a chaotic vibe that perfectly suits the turbulent story we’re about to share. The pilgrimage, intended to be a peaceful event, devolved into a violent clash between different factions within the Carlist movement and left-wing activists. When the dust settled, there were two lives tragically lost and many others left wounded.So, kick back, relax, and prepare to join us in a discussion that feels like a spirited conversation among friends. Julie, Douglas, Iñigo, and Ramón are here to guide you through this captivating and sombre chapter in history that will have you on the edge of your seat. This one’s a bit different from our usual style, but we think you’ll find it engaging and thought-provoking.Content warning: gun violence and mayhem.