Death Row Diaries

Charles Cullen was a nurse who murdered untold numbers of people by injecting them with toxic drugs. There was a movie made about his trail of bodies, called The Good Nurse. Matt and Bill discuss the case. Death Row Diaries is the only podcast hosted live from Death Row.

Richard Kuklinski was a hitman for the mafia and enjoyed his work a little too much. It's safe to say he creeped out everyone in his orbit and was eventually busted. That's when he added Pathological Liar to his resume. Matt and Bill discuss the case. Death Row Diaries is the only podcast hosted live from Death Row.

Would you trust a guy who was obsessed with Civil War reenactments? What about if he drove a van? And, he was a janitor. Me either. Matt and Bill discuss the case of Larry Hall, who was brought down by an undercover prisoner. Death Row Diaries is the only podcast hosted live from Death Row.

After a long Thanksgiving Matt and Bill return to discuss the case of Randall Woodfield, a gifted athlete and prolific killer and rapist whose existence on planet earth is a real head-scratcher. Hopefully in the near future with the help of CRISPR technology we can eradicate this guy's genes from ever popping up again. We break down this sordid real-life plot and get to the bottom of what made Randy Woodfield become the I-5 Killer. Death Row Diaries is the only podcast hosted live from Death Row.

James "Whitey" Bulger is an infamous mobster, admired in certain circles as much more than an angry leprechaun. Those who sing his praises tend to leave out the part where he got his eyes gouged out before being beaten to death with padlocks stuffed into socks in a federal penitentiary. He came, he saw, he got beat to death.    For Part two, check out our Patreon page: www.patreon.com/deathrowdiaries

Matt and Bill discuss the life and times of Sammy Gravano and delve into whether or not he's someone you would want to hang out with.

Matt wants to know how informants work. Can anyone just become an informant? Is it worth it? Is it a cool job? Luckily Bill has a lot of experience on the matter, and he tells Matt how to not be spotted as a fink (that's cop guy slang for informant.)

Richard Cottingham was a computer nerd by day and serial killer by night. He has been called the Torso Killer, and a jerk. Matt and Bill discuss the case.

Ottis Toole had a rough upbringing, including his mom dressing him as a girl and calling him "Susan" and his father pimping him out as a sex slave. Combined with having atrocious looks, a low IQ, and being a homosexual in Jacksonville, Florida, in the 1950's and 60's, well, there was quite a bit of anger there. Unfortunately, instead of getting therapy, Toole embarked on a hobo trek across the country while murdering as many people as possible for many years.

Bill discusses his process of extracting information from killers he is serving time with. Death Row Diaries is the only podcast hosted live from Death Row.

Matt and Bill take a moment to answer some listener submitted questions which come in through Facebook, Instagram, and Patreon. Death Row Diaries is the only podcast hosted live from Death Row.

Matt and Bill discuss the conclusion of the Lori Vallow saga. Her boyfriend Chad Daybell may have been a cult leader, but you don't have to be a guru to know that money can't buy you love. Although, in this case, perhaps thirty-five dollars can. Matt and Bill discuss.

Lori Vallow spun life's wheel of fortune, and it came up snake eyes. At one point she had it all. Good looks, five husbands, and a suspiciously close relationship with her half-brother. But it wasn't good enough. She needed salvation, combined with a tasty romp in Hawaii. Where did it all go wrong? Matt and Bill discuss. Death Row Diaries is the only podcast hosted live from Death Row.

Matt and Bill try to wrap up the story of the Golden State Killer, but they are interrupted by a stabbing near Bill's cell. Death Row Diaries is the only podcast hosted live from Death Row.

Joseph James DeAngelo was a police officer, burglar, murderer and rapist. He may have considered himself a renaissance man but most of those activities are redundant. The fact is that he was one of the scariest serial killers in American history, and he would have gotten away with it, if it wasn't for that pesky thing called genetic genealogy.

Samuel Little is, by numbers, the most prolific serial killer in American history. He led the van life with his elderly decrepit wife. He was homeless, is the term. Eventually he got caught. Matt and Bill break down the case. Death Row Diaries is the only podcast hosted live from Death Row.

Gary Ridgeway, the Green River Killer, is one of the most prolific serial killers in modern history. He was a pale, unassuming bible thumper who was just smart enough to not be considered mentally disabled. Ridgeway was able to blend into society until he was arrested and eventually accused of murdering over seventy teenaged girls.

Gary Heidnik was a self-styled religious guru who went by the name of Brother Bishop. His church was unorthodox and served only to provide victims for him to groom before torturing them with electrical currents in his cellar. By many accounts Hednik had a genius intellect, which makes his sadistic exploits more and more difficult to rationalize. He was the inspiration for Buffalo Bill character in The Silence of the Lambs. Conversely, he also inspired Pennsylvania authorities to fry him in the electric chair.

Harrison Graham went by the nickname of "Marty." That didn't make a lot of sense to his neighbors, but neither did his habit of digging random holes throughout the neighborhood or the fact that his best friend was a Cookie Monster doll. Marty wasn't the brightest guy, and certainly not the caliber of individual who can maintain a modicum of sanity while in the throes of an epic crack binge. With a lot of factors working against him, Graham's situation went from bad to unthinkable. Let's just say he had the scariest crack house on the block.

Robert Hansen was a nerdy little guy with a stutter, but that didn't stop him from achieving his dream of moving to Alaska, becoming a prize-winning hunter, starting a family, and opening a bakery. Unfortunately, his hunting didn't stop with moose and caribou, but extended to humans. Hansen played the most dangerous game, and got caught. But not before he left his bloody mark on the pristine Alaskan wilderness.

Pam Hupp is a very tricky lady. Her criminal career began with forgery, but that didn't provide her the lifestyle she craved. Plus, she never got caught, so why not up the stakes and start murdering friends and family members? This was her thinking, apparently. Matt and Bill break down the case. Death Row Diaries is the only podcast hosted live from Death Row.

Matt and Bill discuss why prominent South Carolina snollygoster Alex Murdaugh may have Murdaugh'd his wife and son. His behavior looks as sloppy as a big 'ol plate of biscuits and gravy, but what could have led this southern fried gentleman down a path of such despair? Death Row Diaries is the only podcast hosted live from Death Row.

Keith Jesperson was a family man, but he had a dark secret. He wasn't just an abusive drunk who liked to string cats up from the clothesline in front of his family. He was engaging in even more disgusting activities during his long-haul trucking trips. When the wrong people went to prison for one of his murders it made him angry, and that's when he was branded the Smiley Face Killer.

Ward Francis Weaver was a serial killer trucker who stalked his victims on the highway. He then struck up a relationship with his estranged son, Ward Weaver III, from prison. They'd end up having one thing in common - both were serial killers. Then, the third little Weaver killed some people as well. This family is genetically diseased and has wreaked untold havoc throughout the ages. Matt Ralston talks to William Noguera about his experiences in dealing with the elder Weaver. Death Row Diaries is the only podcast hosted live from Death Row.

You know what's a bad idea? Being a serial killer? You know what's a worse idea? Being a serial killer who only kills people you know. Bill discusses his interactions with Phillip Jablonski, as he had to care for the elderly creep in San Quentin State Prison. Death Row Diaries is the only podcast hosted live from death row.

George Gascon is the District Attorney of Los Angeles. People hate him. Matt and Bill break down the reasons why. Death Row Diaries is the only podcast co-hosted live from Death Row.

Bill uses his expertise, developed from spending decades among serial killers in San Quentin State Prison, to profile the Long Island Serial Killer and attempt to get some answers on one of the country's most notorious cases.

Bill discusses his theories on whether serial killer cases in this country are waning, growing, or remaining stagnant. There are a lot of factors at play, Matt and Bill take a dive into it.

John Hinckley Jr shot the President. And three other people. Usually, the law frowns pretty heavily on that. Not so much if your father owns an oil company. Hinckley was found not guilty by reason of insanity. He now enjoys the same rights as your or any other citizen - possibly more, depending on what state you live in.

As Hernandez continues abusing amphetamines and living in the shame of his homosexuality, he becomes less and less chill and eventually full-on raging homicidal maniac. It's not a happy ending.

Aaron Hernandez descended into madness slowly but surely. Co-hosts Matt Ralston and Bill Noguera look at the various factors contributing to his abrupt downfall. As always, Death Row Diaries is the only podcast co-hosted live from death row.

Matt and bill discuss the Uvalde tragedy and what can be done. Death Row Diaries is the only podcast co-hosted live from Death Row.

Harold Shipman took the death of his mother very hard. He was forced to watch her wither away, and he held onto this pain, but he also lost control. His quest to gain it back led him to kill hundreds of people, making him perhaps the most prolific serial killer in history. Shipman was a medical doctor, and hence the name Dr. Death.

Casey White somehow convinced prison guard Vicky White to liquidate everything she had and bust him out of prison. Vicky apparently saw something in the convict who would soon be standing trial for brutally murdering an innocent woman. They took off, intent on building a life together. It didn't last long. Matt talks to Bill about how this went down, and how often prisoners and prison guards get it on.

Ed Kemper was a gigantic ogre who had some mental issues as a child. Minor incidents such as killing some tomcats and both of his grandparents. Then he killed his mother and did some unspeakable things to her corpse while moving on to terrorize the beachside community of Santa Cruz. He then became a favorite subject of forensic psychologists and resumed a second career from behind the closed doors of a mental institution.

It's unclear how many people have the notion to build a hotel for the sole purpose of murdering the guests, but to actually follow through on this is, well, impressive? H.H. Holmes is often labeled as America's first serial killer, but it's a bit more complex than that. Matt and Bill discuss the life of a conman and we learn that history does repeat itself.

We've all heard of this one, but Bill brings some fresh insight unto the actual person behind the lore of Jack the Ripper. He's done the research and the thinks he knows this guy's profession. Perhaps the guys can crack the case. This is Death Row Diaries - the only podcast hosted live from Death Row, literally.

What would you do if you found yourself in a situation where you knew you had to step up? You think about this kind of thing much more often when you're under constant threat of attack. Co-Host William Noguera tells some of his ongoing story.

Jack Unterweger grew up stealing cows in the farmlands of Austria. He made it all the way to Los Angeles, where as a journalist his beat was covering a rash of prostitute killings. As it turned out, he was reporting on his own murders.

John Riccardi was, and maybe still is, a man of some intrigue. He made millions of dollars pulling off international heists as a cat burglar and lived high on the hog as they say, enjoying fine wines, designer clothes, and expensive cars. Then something in his brain went haywire. He began tormenting a woman named Connie Navarro whom he'd had a brief relationship with. He would not leave her alone. Day and night. He'd break into her house, he'd watch her in public. It ended badly, as you'd imagine. William Noguera knew John Riccardi well, as they served time together on San Quentin's Death Row, and he breaks down the mind of one John Riccardi.

John Wayne Gacey was a politician, a member of the local fraternal order, a manager of several Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants, and notoriously, a children's party entertainer and prolific serial killer. William Noguera and Matt Ralston break down what led to Gacey becoming this cringeworthy embodiment of evil.

In Part 2 of our story Justin Helzer is sent to San Quentin Prison's Death Row, where his condition deteriorates rapidly. He somehow, almost impossibly, becomes more religious, and sinks deeper into his occult preoccupations. And finally, he commits one of the more bizarre acts of self-mutilation on record. Co-host William Noguera served on Death Row with Helzer, and recounts his experiences with him while analyzing what would lead someone to do what Justin Helzer did.

Justin Helzer and his brother were integral in the founding of a Mormon offshoot cult called Children of Thunder. This endeavor was a failure to thrive, as psychologists like to say. Helzer's brother considered himself a prophet, but instead of converting people and leading them toward salvation, the brothers spent most of their time doing methamphetamines and pursuing sexual relations with models. Eventually Justin left his job at a major brokerage firm and proceeded to steal from and murder several people. This landed both of the brothers in prison, where things got pretty weird.

There were several factors working against Jeffrey Dahmer once he was sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison. He was maybe the most notorious serial killer America has seen, and many convicts like to kill serial killers. He also had made a habit of killing and eating African American men, which didn't go over well either. Co-host William Noguera talks to Matt Ralston about Dahmer's demise behind the prison walls.

William Noguera talks live from San Quentin's Death Row about what motivates a guy like Dahmer to become one of the more freakish ghouls in modern history.

William Noguera talks to co-host Matt Ralston about the historical progression of the methods by which prisoners are executed. Noguera has been given an execution date in the past, so it's something he's spent a lot of time thinking about while on Death Row. Hangings, firing squads, the electric chair, maybe even a pack of rabid hyenas? They get into all of it.

Gavin Newsom, the governor of California, has announced he will be turning San Quentin Prison's Death Row into a Positive Healing Environment. This is big news, but what does it mean? William Noguera, who is on Death Row, weighs in on this development.