The Detective Society Podcast is hosted, written, and produced by Natalie Levy-Costa and Michael Costa. Each episode explores a murder or set of serial murders that took place in the Washington, DC area. For fans of True Crime, culture, dark comedy, or story-telling. Join me, as I dig up the bodies in my backyard.
Ep 15: Gianni Versace and the Victims of Andrew Cunanan
Discussing the murder of Gianni Versace and the 4 victims who came before him.
3/28/2018 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 39 seconds
Ep 14: Cannibal Clarks pt 2
Part 2 of the Cannibal Clarks, covering the murders and aftermath of Hadden Clark's crimes against Michele Dorr and Laura Houghteling
2/23/2018 • 57 minutes
Ep 13: Cannibal Clarks pt 1
Part 1 of the story of 2 bizarre brothers and the lives that lead to the murders of Trisha Mak, Michele Dorr, and Laura Houghteling
2/23/2018 • 51 minutes, 9 seconds
EXTRA! Where have we been?
We took an extended break from recording, here is what we've been up to for the last 9 months. If you don't care, feel free to skip this and head over to the most recent episode!
2/23/2018 • 26 minutes
Joe Metheny LIVE!
We're back from hiatus! Live, from the Baltimore podcast festival, we discuss the life and lies of Joe Metheny.
5/31/2017 • 25 minutes, 16 seconds
The Milk Man Cometh Minisode
This week we share some big news and talk about some big heists, some bizarre twists, and the black market
4/26/2017 • 35 minutes
Ep 11: Leo & Sue (The Home Invasion Episode)
Rarely do we have survivors to focus on, but this week we're bringing you the story of Leo and Sue. Dedicated to Abril Macias, this week's episode involves addictions, attorneys, a police chase, and a bittersweet ending.
4/10/2017 • 1 hour, 9 minutes
Ep 10: The Briley Brothers
The Briley Brothers went on a killing spree, were disturbingly violent, and then led a prison break... and you've never heard of them.
3/27/2017 • 1 hour, 29 minutes, 30 seconds
Ep 9: The Family Annihilator
TWO guest hosts join Natalie to talk about our first unsolved episode, the story of Bradford Bishop, The Family Annihilator.
2/27/2017 • 1 hour
The Butcher Baker Minisode
In this week's minisode, we discuss Robert Hansen, the Butcher Baker of Anchorage, Nicholas Cage, and bad movies.
2/21/2017 • 35 minutes, 30 seconds
Ep 8 Banita Jacks: Possessed by Demons
Warning: this is possibly the darkest episode we have ever recorded. Four girls were murdered and their mentally ill mother was the only suspect. The Banita Jacks case rocked DC, and changed the way children's services function in US Capital.
2/5/2017 • 56 minutes
Ep 7: The Lululemon Murder (with Jacob Griffin)
Guest Host Jacob Griffin joins us to talk about the murder of Jayna Murray, AKA the Lululemon Murder. Join us as we discuss corporate culture, almost cults, and vicious yogis.
1/26/2017 • 1 hour, 19 seconds
Neal Falls: The Vegas Connection Minisode
On this minisode we examine the 2015 attempted murder of Heather Saul. Thanks to a shout out from The Knights of the Kitchen Table Podcast, we take a look at a slew of murders in the Las Vegas area. Was Neal Falls an uncatchable serial killer? Or just an inept jerk?
1/18/2017 • 35 minutes
Ep 6: Joseph "Joby" Palczynski
Co-host Rebecca Johnson joins Natalie to discuss Joseph Palczynski, the quadruple-murderer, and 97-hour standoff that led to his capture. We drink a lot of wine and get side-tracked.
1/10/2017 • 1 hour, 35 minutes
Ep 5: The Sickles Insanity Defense
This week we explore first case ever to use the Insanity Defense! Natalie and Michael ramble about infidelity, and the dogs misbehave.
1/4/2017 • 51 minutes
Ep 4: The Horn Family Contract Killings
In this week's episode, we discuss the murders of Mildred Horn, Trevor Horn, and Janice Saunders, the complicated legacy of this case, and the publishing of "Hit Man" a controversial manual on contract killings. Then Natalie and Michael reflect on the trials and tribulations of being alive in 2016.
12/28/2016 • 48 minutes
The Dontee Stokes Minisode
In our first mini-episode we talk about Dontee Stokes, who shot a popular local priest in Baltimore, MD. Is there more to this story? Listen, and find out.
12/18/2016 • 30 minutes, 27 seconds
Ep 3: The DC Snipers
Episode 3 follows the attacks of the DC Snipers. Guest co-host, Arianne Llerena, gives us a first hand account of what it was like to live in Washington, DC in 2002 during the attacks. And the third Detective Society dog makes his appearance.
12/18/2016 • 55 minutes, 31 seconds
Ep 2: Viola Drath
This Episode examines the murder of Viola Drath, a Washington, DC author and socialite who was found dead in her home in NW Washington DC.
12/18/2016 • 46 minutes, 16 seconds
Ep 1: The Southside Strangler
Episode 1 explores the serial killer known as The Southside Strangler, his victims, and David Vasquez who was falsely imprisoned for a murder he did not commit.Show Intro:Carolyn Jean Hamm was a Duke graduate and Lawyer in 1980s Washington DC. She was intelligent, reliable, and strong. If you look up pictures of her online, she really was just gorgeous. She has this thick brown hair and a really beautiful smile. Clearly a BOSS. On the morning of Tuesday, January 24th 1984, Carolyn failed to show up for work, after a call from her secretary, her body was discovered nude and facedown in her basement.Carolyn had been murdered in an absolutely horrific way. She had been raped, strangled, and her hands had been bound behind her with a venetian blind cord. She had been hanged. Later that week, police received a promising lead when Muriel Ranser called them to report seeing a man named David Vasquez leering at Hamm the day of her murder. According to Ranser, Vasquez was a total creep. She had seen him peeping at Carolyn as she sunbathed in her yard. A neighbor named Michael Ansari seemed to back up Ranser's account. Telling the police that he had seen Vasquez behaving strangely in the area, the day after Hamm's body had been found.The police investigation moved quickly. Not only did they find pubic hair at the scene that could have matched vasquez, but when they brought Vasquez in for questioning, he confessed not once, but 3 times. Jack pot. Vasquez was arrested and charged for the murder of Carolyn Jean Hamm. The next year he would be convicted. Justice had been served...Except here's the thing, guys. Vasquez hadn't even touched Carolyn Hamm. Vasquez, a 36 year old man with an IQ of less than 70, still lived with his mother in Manassas, 30 miles away from Carolyn Hamm's home in Arlington, VA. Neither Vasquez nor his mother drove, which meant that an unnamed accomplice would have had to help him. The semen found at the scene did not match Vasquez's blood type. The sightings by Ranser and Ansari would never be corroborated. And he had only confessed after being heavily pressured and fed details by police.It would take five long years for Vasquez to be exonerated and for the real killer to be identified as Timothy Wilson Spencer. Spencer would go on to take the lives of at least 4 more women, and forever change the way crime is investigated in the United States.This is the story of the Southside Strangler.