In 1971, a mild-mannered accountant and Sunday school teacher from New Jersey named John List murders his wife, mother and three children — only to disappear and begin a new life entirely on the other side of the country. Now, two veteran journalists go inside the mind of the killer, learn about the doomed family, and revisit the 18-year-quest to bring List to justice — a saga even more bizarre and twisted than ever previously reported. New episodes will be released each Tuesday through June 21.
Feed drop: Introducing Firecracker
“Firecracker, a new true crime podcast from NJ.com's sister news site Syracuse.com, is a deep dive into a horrific 27-year-old crime. When police saw what was left of Carol Ryan’s body, dumped in the driveway of a suburban compost site in September of 1996, they wondered what weapon could cause that level of devastation. The truth was grislier than anyone imagined.
Carol’s only son blames police. After hundreds of interviews, investigators couldn’t make any leads stick. Three cops believe they know the man who killed Carol. He’s still out there. But they haven’t been able to prove it. The lead detective calls it the greatest regret of his career.
This six-part podcast from syracuse.com explores the death and life of Carol Ryan and the chilling effect her unsolved murder had on a community. Reporter Katrina Tulloch spent over a year digging into the case, interviewing 30 people including law enforcement, medical professionals, industry experts, witnesses and people who knew Carol.
The podcast outlines how Carol spent the hours leading up to her murder, how first responders bungled the crime scene, the challenges police have faced in trying to find her killer, and how DNA technology could break open the case any day.
“Firecracker” is available exclusively and ad-free on Wondery+, the premium podcast subscription from Wondery.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
11/14/2023 • 7 minutes, 44 seconds
BONUS: The Watcher
The real story of The Watcher, Westfield’s other boogeyman, whose mysterious letters inspired the hit Netflix series.
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'Father Wants Us Dead' is a serial investigative true crime podcast from NJ.com and The Star-Ledger about John List, the accountant and Sunday school teacher who killed his mother, wife and three kids in their Westfield, New Jersey mansion 50 years ago. John List left behind a confession letter, explaining why what he'd done was right, and disappeared to start a whole new life, eluding authorities for nearly two decades. The loss of those innocent lives, the horror and the fear, forever scarred this quiet New Jersey community.
For more about the show or to see photos of the List family and the crime scene, visit www.fatherwantsusdead.com.
Check out Reeves Weideman's New York Magazine article from 2018 and his most recent update to the story.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
11/2/2022 • 47 minutes, 8 seconds
BONUS: Pulling back the curtain
The hosts take you behind the scenes of the creation of the “Father Wants Us Dead” podcast and discuss never-before-heard interviews and outtakes from the show.
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'Father Wants Us Dead' is a serial investigative true crime podcast from NJ.com and The Star-Ledger about John List, the accountant and Sunday school teacher who killed his mother, wife and three kids in their Westfield, New Jersey mansion 50 years ago. John List left behind a confession letter, explaining why what he'd done was right, and disappeared to start a whole new life, eluding authorities for nearly two decades. The loss of those innocent lives, the horror and the fear, forever scarred this quiet New Jersey community.
For more about the show or to see photos of the List family and the crime scene, visit www.fatherwantsusdead.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
7/19/2022 • 33 minutes, 49 seconds
BONUS: Postcards from the edge
Our hosts answer your questions and reveal more surprising details from the cutting room floor.
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'Father Wants Us Dead' is a serial investigative true crime podcast from NJ.com and The Star-Ledger about John List, the accountant and Sunday school teacher who killed his mother, wife and three kids in their Westfield, New Jersey mansion 50 years ago. John List left behind a confession letter, explaining why what he'd done was right, and disappeared to start a whole new life, eluding authorities for nearly two decades. The loss of those innocent lives, the horror and the fear, forever scarred this quiet New Jersey community.
For more about the show or to see photos of the List family and the crime scene, visit www.fatherwantsusdead.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
7/5/2022 • 34 minutes, 4 seconds
A word about season one
Our hosts have some exciting news in store for “Father Wants Us Dead” fans.
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'Father Wants Us Dead' is a serial investigative true crime podcast from NJ.com and The Star-Ledger about John List, the accountant and Sunday school teacher who killed his mother, wife and three kids in their Westfield, New Jersey mansion 50 years ago. John List left behind a confession letter, explaining why what he'd done was right, and disappeared to start a whole new life, eluding authorities for nearly two decades. The loss of those innocent lives, the horror and the fear, forever scarred this quiet New Jersey community.
For more about the show or to see photos of the List family and the crime scene, visit www.fatherwantsusdead.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
6/28/2022 • 3 minutes, 6 seconds
Episode 9: Sympathy for the devil
50 years later, two reporters try to understand what drove John List to commit such atrocities — and the real cost.
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'Father Wants Us Dead' is a serial investigative true crime podcast from NJ.com and The Star-Ledger about John List, the accountant and Sunday school teacher who killed his mother, wife and three kids in their Westfield, New Jersey mansion 50 years ago. John List left behind a confession letter, explaining why what he'd done was right, and disappeared to start a whole new life, eluding authorities for nearly two decades. The loss of those innocent lives, the horror and the fear, forever scarred this quiet New Jersey community.
New episodes will be released each Tuesday through June 21.
For more about the show or to see photos of the List family and the crime scene, visit www.fatherwantsusdead.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
6/21/2022 • 44 minutes, 42 seconds
Episode 8: Judgment Day
Back in New Jersey to stand trial, John List makes one last attempt to stay free.
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'Father Wants Us Dead' is a serial investigative true crime podcast from NJ.com and The Star-Ledger about John List, the accountant and Sunday school teacher who killed his mother, wife and three kids in their Westfield, New Jersey mansion 50 years ago. John List left behind a confession letter, explaining why what he'd done was right, and disappeared to start a whole new life, eluding authorities for nearly two decades. The loss of those innocent lives, the horror and the fear, forever scarred this quiet New Jersey community.
New episodes will be released each Tuesday through June 21.
For more about the show or to see photos of the List family and the crime scene, visit www.fatherwantsusdead.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
6/14/2022 • 44 minutes, 45 seconds
Episode 7: The old lady and the tabloids
18 years after the murders, a tip from an unlikely source leads authorities to John List's doorstep.
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'Father Wants Us Dead' is a serial investigative true crime podcast from NJ.com and The Star-Ledger about John List, the accountant and Sunday school teacher who killed his mother, wife and three kids in their Westfield, New Jersey mansion 50 years ago. John List left behind a confession letter, explaining why what he'd done was right, and disappeared to start a whole new life, eluding authorities for nearly two decades. The loss of those innocent lives, the horror and the fear, forever scarred this quiet New Jersey community.
New episodes will be released each Tuesday through June 21.
For more about the show or to see photos of the List family and the crime scene, visit www.fatherwantsusdead.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
6/7/2022 • 50 minutes, 47 seconds
Episode 6: America's Most Wanted
With the trail gone cold, police try one last gambit to find their man.
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'Father Wants Us Dead' is a serial investigative true crime podcast from NJ.com and The Star-Ledger about John List, the accountant and Sunday school teacher who killed his mother, wife and three kids in their Westfield, New Jersey mansion 50 years ago. John List left behind a confession letter, explaining why what he'd done was right, and disappeared to start a whole new life, eluding authorities for nearly two decades. The loss of those innocent lives, the horror and the fear, forever scarred this quiet New Jersey community.
New episodes will be released each Tuesday through June 21.
For more about the show or to see photos of the List family and the crime scene, visit www.fatherwantsusdead.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
5/31/2022 • 37 minutes, 24 seconds
Episode 5: The Talented Mr. List
As police frantically search for the mysterious killer, John List slips out of one identity and into another.
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'Father Wants Us Dead' is a serial investigative true crime podcast from NJ.com and The Star-Ledger about John List, the accountant and Sunday school teacher who killed his mother, wife and three kids in their Westfield, New Jersey mansion 50 years ago. John List left behind a confession letter, explaining why what he'd done was right, and disappeared to start a whole new life, eluding authorities for nearly two decades. The loss of those innocent lives, the horror and the fear, forever scarred this quiet New Jersey community.
New episodes will be released each Tuesday through June 21.
For more about the show or to see photos of the List family and the crime scene, visit www.fatherwantsusdead.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
5/24/2022 • 47 minutes, 46 seconds
Episode 4: Mopping up the blood
Step by terrible step, John List systematically kills each member of his family — and then confesses everything.
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'Father Wants Us Dead' is a serial investigative true crime podcast from NJ.com and The Star-Ledger about John List, the accountant and Sunday school teacher who killed his mother, wife and three kids in their Westfield, New Jersey mansion 50 years ago. John List left behind a confession letter, explaining why what he'd done was right, and disappeared to start a whole new life, eluding authorities for nearly two decades. The loss of those innocent lives, the horror and the fear, forever scarred this quiet New Jersey community.
New episodes will be released each Tuesday through June 21.
For more about the show or to see photos of the List family and the crime scene, visit www.fatherwantsusdead.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
5/17/2022 • 48 minutes, 1 second
Episode 3: The man at the train station
As family and financial worries mount, John List carries on an elaborate charade — all the while contemplating the unthinkable.
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'Father Wants Us Dead' is a serial investigative true crime podcast from NJ.com and The Star-Ledger about John List, the accountant and Sunday school teacher who killed his mother, wife and three kids in their Westfield, New Jersey mansion 50 years ago. John List left behind a confession letter, explaining why what he'd done was right, and disappeared to start a whole new life, eluding authorities for nearly two decades. The loss of those innocent lives, the horror and the fear, forever scarred this quiet New Jersey community.
New episodes will be released each Tuesday through June 21.
For more about the show or to see photos of the List family and the crime scene, visit www.fatherwantsusdead.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
5/10/2022 • 50 minutes, 32 seconds
Episode 2: The boogeyman of Westfield
John List moved his family to New Jersey seeking a better life, but this seemingly ordinary accountant will turn out to be the scariest neighbor his town has even seen.
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'Father Wants Us Dead' is a serial investigative true crime podcast from NJ.com and The Star-Ledger about John List, the accountant and Sunday school teacher who killed his mother, wife and three kids in their Westfield, New Jersey mansion 50 years ago. John List left behind a confession letter, explaining why what he'd done was right, and disappeared to start a whole new life, eluding authorities for nearly two decades. The loss of those innocent lives, the horror and the fear, forever scarred this quiet New Jersey community.
New episodes will be released each Tuesday through June 21.
For more about the show or to see photos of the List family and the crime scene, visit www.fatherwantsusdead.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
5/10/2022 • 43 minutes, 47 seconds
Episode 1: The mansion turned morgue
In a quiet, well-to-do New Jersey suburb in December 1971, police make a shocking discovery that sends the community reeling — and launches a national manhunt for a fugitive mass murderer.
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'Father Wants Us Dead' is a serial investigative true crime podcast from NJ.com and The Star-Ledger about John List, the accountant and Sunday school teacher who killed his mother, wife and three kids in their Westfield, New Jersey mansion 50 years ago. John List left behind a confession letter, explaining why what he'd done was right, and disappeared to start a whole new life, eluding authorities for nearly two decades. The loss of those innocent lives, the horror and the fear, forever scarred this quiet New Jersey community.
New episodes will be released each Tuesday through June 21.
For more about the show or to see photos of the List family and the crime scene, visit www.fatherwantsusdead.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
5/10/2022 • 36 minutes, 37 seconds
Trailer: Father Wants Us Dead
In 1971, a mild-mannered accountant and Sunday school teacher from New Jersey named John List murders his wife, mother and three children — only to disappear and begin a new life entirely on the other side of the country. Now, two veteran journalists go inside the mind of the killer, learn about the doomed family, and revisit the 18-year-quest to bring List to justice — a saga even more bizarre and twisted than ever previously reported.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
