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Holocaust survivor Harry Haft had to literally fight for his life in several concentration camps. Born into a poor family, life was hard for Harry from the get go. This fact was only compounded when, in 1939, Poland fell to German forces. Less than two years later Harry Haft would find himself moved from one concentration camp to another until one day a guard struck up an unlikely friendship with the boy and devised a plan to help him survive. He would have to box for his life.

We've all seen it in the movies. The quaint cabin in the woods that was once seen as somewhere to get away from it all. Suddenly this peaceful oasis is transformed into a horrific nightmare. Today we explore 5 real life true crime cases where a knock at the cabin door shouldn't be answered....

The St Valentines Day Massacre has gone down in history as one of the most brutal gangland killings ever committed. Though it's believed to have sprung from the bitter rivalry between gang leaders Al Capone and Bugs Moran, to this day the crime is deemed unsolved.

The Cologne school massacre was a tragic event that occurred on June 11, 1964. Walter Seifert, also known as "Der Feuerteufel von Volkhoven", entered the Catholic elementary school located at Volkhovener Weg 209–211 in Cologne, Germany, brandishing a flamethrower, lance and mace attacking children and teachers. The incident resulted in the deaths of eight children and two adults, and many others were injured. To this day Seifert's motive remains unclear.

The St Scholastica Day Riots were some of the most brutal and deadly in British history. The city already had a history of pitched battles taking place between the townsfolk and those attending the university but when one group of students were served, what they perceived as being poor quality wine, it would spark a deadly battle that would last several days.

Gibbeting was a particularly gruesome form of punishment that aimed to serve as a deterrent to others. The bodies of the executed were often left hanging in the gibbet for weeks or months as a warning to the public. Over time, the use of gibbets declined, and they were eventually replaced by more humane methods of execution. Today, gibbets are primarily used as historical landmarks or tourist attractions, reminding us of a dark chapter in our history.

Jane Toppan, also known as "Jolly Jane," was an American serial killer who was active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born in the mid 1850s in Massachusetts, Toppan was adopted at a young age after being taken from her abusive father. She later became a nurse and used her medical knowledge to kill at least 31 people, including patients under her care. Toppan's victims included her foster sister, many of her so-called friends, and several patients at hospitals where she worked.

Christine and Léa Papin were French sisters who gained notoriety for their 1933 double murder of their employer and her daughter in Le Mans, France. The crime was particularly gruesome, with the victims' faces having been mutilated beyond recognition. The sisters were arrested and convicted of the murders, and their case became a cause célèbre in France, with many intellectuals and artists championing their cause.

On February 20th 1960, Iris Dawkins was playing Cowboys and Indians with her brother and friends in Mayfield Park, Southampton. When she decided to leave the group to go home no one could have known it would be the last time she would be seen alive. Despite a large initial investigation, the case would go cold for 8 years until a bizarre discovery in the same park.

Alec Lawrence's life was filled with turmoil from the beginning. Born in 1939 he would need to be dug from the rubble of his bombed out home at just 2 years old. With his family struggling he was then sent to live with neighbours, George and Helena Storey. Initially this had been seen as a short term solution but the Lawrences soon figured the Storeys could offer their son a much better life. However, this decision would end in tragedy.

Britain has some of the most infamous true crime cases. From massacres to poisonings by jealous lovers, the British isles have bore witness to all these and more. In this compilation we explore several cases that you may not have been aware of.

Constance Kent was a Victorian-era murderess who brutally killed her younger half-brother, Francis Saville Kent, in 1860. She confessed to the crime in 1865, after a long period of suspicion and investigation, and was sentenced to life in prison. The case was widely publicized and is considered one of the most notorious and intriguing murder mysteries in English history. Constance's motives for the crime remain unclear, but speculation suggests jealousy or a desire for revenge. The case inspired numerous literary works and has been the subject of many adaptations in film and television. Today, Constance Kent's story continues to fascinate and captivate true crime enthusiasts around the world.

In today's episode we delve in to the crime that led to Germaine Leloy becoming the last woman in France to be Guillotined.

Discover the haunting true crime story of Marie & Frederick Manning and the murder of Patrick O'Connor in Victorian England. This gripping tale of betrayal, scandal, and murder captivated the public's imagination, becoming a sensation that continues to intrigue crime enthusiasts and historians to this day.

Disasters - large or small, leave indelible marks on the people and communities they affect. While many of these events have a bad-guy of one kind or another, they also have their heroes.

On the eve of King Charles III's coronation, we explore the history of the previous two Kings to bear his name and title. While the reigns of King Charles I and II weren't all bad, we're not exactly sure the new king would want to emulate them...

Clara Phillips, also known as the "Tiger Woman," was a notorious Los Angeles murderer who killed Alberta Meadows, the woman she suspected of being her husband's mistress, in 1922. Her crime was fueled by jealousy and suspicion. The story of Alberta Meadows and Clara Phillips is a fascinating and tragic one, offering a glimpse into the darker side of human nature and the consequences of extreme jealousy and violence.

Few love affairs are as bizarre as that between Walburga 'Dolly' Oesterreich and Otto Sanhuber. The conniving cougar convinced her lover to give up his life and instead spend his days hidden in the attic of the home she shared with her husband, Fred. Only descending to do chores and meet Dolly's more...carnal needs. This strange situation would end in a bizarre and deadly confrontation.

In this Victorian true crime episode we explore the disturbing case of Robert Coombes who, despite being just 13 years old at the time, was a callous and calculating murderer. His case is one full of twists and turns and perhaps, even redemption.

Sometimes a bad apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Such was the case with father and son murderers Robert 'Sonny' Mone and his son Robert Jr.

In today's episode we explore the horrific 'Thames Torso Murders'. The Thames Torso Murders, were a series of unsolved murders in London, England from 1887 to 1889. Each involved dissected remains being discovered along the Thames. None of the cases were solved, and only one of the four victims was identified.

In this True Crime episode we explore the tragic case of Grace Brown and Chester Gillette. The pair began an unlikely relationship at the dawn of the 20th century. Gillette was a socialite, the nephew of a wealthy factory owner while Grace was a farm girl who was new to the big city. She quickly fell for Chester but the love affair was one sided and he continued to keep their relations secret while he wooed women of a higher social standing. When Grace fell pregnant with his child instead of stepping up, Chester took drastic, deadly action.

In this true crime episode we explore 3 murders that all have something in common but were not connected. The Brighton Trunk Murders were a series of bizarre cases, each involving the victim being placed inside a trunk or large suitcase. We begin with the story of a woman whose remains were found in several suitcases across the southeast. Investigations would eventually lead to the discovery of an unconnected victim, Violette Kaye. Murdered by her boyfriend 'Toni Mancini' though he would never face justice. Then, there is the case of Celia Holloway, dating back to the 1800s.

When Timothy Evans met John Reginald Christie his fate, like many others, was sealed. However, while Christie would be revealed to be a serial killer, his involvement in the Evans' death was less direct. His crimes at 10 Rillington Place, Notting Hill, live on in infamy. So heinous were his acts that years later the entire street would be razed to the ground. Today we explore this case and the lives he tragically cut short.

In Edwardian Britain, Emma "Kitty" Byron was found guilty of stabbing to death her lover Arthur Reginald Baker. However, while she was initially sentenced to death, a public outcry led to this being commuted to life in prison. In all however, she would serve just 6 years of confinement. But what made her story so compelling?

While most of us know of the Titanic tragedy where some 1500 people lost their lives in the middle of the ocean, one lesser known disaster happened near central London and claimed the lives of over 600 people. Many of those that died, did so because of the appaling state of the waters they found themselves in. Millions of tons of raw sewage and chemicals quickly saturated their heavy clothing or entered their bodies. Today we explore the story of the SS Princess Alice.

The Edith Thompson and Freddy Bywaters murder case of 1922 captivated the public with its scandalous tale of infidelity turned deadly. Edith Thompson, trapped in a love affair with Freddy Bywaters, orchestrated the murder of her husband Percy Thompson. Their illicit romance and incriminating letters were used as crucial evidence in their trial, which led to their conviction and eventual execution in 1923. This sensational case shed light on the social norms and gender roles of the era, sparking debates on justice and morality. Delve into the compelling story of Edith Thompson and Freddy Bywaters, a historical snapshot of a passionate affair that took a chilling turn, revealing the complexities of relationships and the harsh consequences of a forbidden love.

Thomas Cream, known as the "Lambeth Poisoner," was a 19th-century doctor infamous for a string of poisonings across London and Chicago. His chilling crimes and possible ties to Jack the Ripper have left a lasting mark on criminal history. Arrested in 1892, Cream's shocking trial ended in his hanging, but his mysterious last words hint at a deeper connection. Uncover the dark tale of Thomas Cream, a figure whose heinous acts continue to captivate the true crime narrative.

Discover the intriguing history of lobotomies, a controversial psychiatric procedure that gained prominence in the mid-20th century. Pioneered by Egas Moniz and popularized by Walter Freeman, lobotomies involved altering brain connections to treat mental disorders. Although initially hailed as revolutionary, the procedure's unpredictable and often irreversible effects led to widespread criticism. With the rise of antipsychotic medications and a better understanding of brain function, lobotomies gradually fell out of favor by the 1960s. This cautionary tale underscores the importance of evidence-based medical practices. Explore the rise and fall of lobotomies, offering insights into the evolution of psychiatric treatments.