Episode 561: “Jolly Jane” Toppan: Angel of Mercy (Part 2)

This episode was that was originally published as Episode 240. We are revisiting it as a refresher before we update the case next Monday! We hope that you have a happy and safe holiday! We’re bringing you to one of our favorite vacation spots: Provincetown Mass. Only we aren’t sunbathing and playing volleyball on the beach, we’re here to solve a cold case, y’all. The Lady of the Dunes, as she’s known, was discovered on July 26, 1974, in the tall grass at the Race Point Dunes. Throughout the past 47 years investigators have worked tirelessly following up on leads and exhuming her body every time some kind of new technology comes up. To this day they still don’t know who killed the woman, or more importantly, who the woman even is! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This episode is a fan favorite that was originally published as Episode 476. We hope that you have a happy and safe holiday! Juliane Koepcke's story will have you questioning any recent complaint you've made. This woman was the sole survivor of a plane crash in 1971. After the plane went down, she continued to survive in the AMAZON RAINFOREST among hundreds and hundreds of predators. It took 11 days for her to be rescued and when you hear what Julianne faced within those 11 days, you will be a changed human. When I Fell From the Sky by Juliane Koepcke List of books to help with fear of flying OR just education on flying and flying mechanics!  Cockpit Confidential by Patrick Smith Soar by Tom Bunn Thank you to the Incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research and Writing support! References BBC. 2012. Juliane Koepcke: How I survived a plane crash. March 24. Accessed November 30, 2022. https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-17476615. 1998. Wings of Hope. Directed by Werner Herzog. Performed by Juliane Koepcke. Koepcke, Juliane, and Beate Rygiert. 2011. When I Fell From the Sky: the True Story of One Woman's Miraculous Survival.Translated by Ross Benjamin. Green Bay, WI: TitleTown Publishing, LLC. New York Times. 1951. "Colombia Plane Crashes: 27 killed when Lansa Craft Falls." New York Times, March 22: 13. —. 1970. "Peru panel studies crash fatal to 99." New York Times, April 13: 2. —. 1971. "Plane Carrying 93 Missing Over the Mountains of Peru." New York Times, December 25: 20. United Press. 1948. "2 Britons Among 30 Dead In Colombian Air Crash." New York Times, December 16: 16. Wigg, Richard. 1972. "Girl's ordeal starts a jungle search." The Times, January 6: 5. Williams, Sally. 2012. "The woman who fell to earth." Daily Telegraph, March 17. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On the morning of April 10, 1936, Nancy Evans Titterton, novelist and wife of NBC Radio executive Lewis Titterton, was found sexually assaulted and strangled to death in the bathtub of her apartment in Beekman Place, a prominent New York City apartment building. Upon first inspection, the crime scene yielded few clues—a fingerprint in the bathroom, a length of rope used to bind her hands, and little else.  Within a week, detectives were no closer to solving the case than they were on day one, until a break finally came when the rope and a single horsehair was traced to a local upholstery shop, and ultimately to an apprentice upholsterer named John Fiorenza, who, along with his boss, Theodore Kruger, discovered Nancy’s body while delivering a piece of furniture.  Eventually, Fiorenza confessed to assaulting and murdering Nancy Titterton, but claimed temporary insanity. At the trial, the jury rejected Fiorenza’s defense and he was found guilty and he was executed in January 1938. Although the case of Nancy Evans Titterton may seem rather straightforward, it stands as an early example of science and law enforcement coming together to solve a case that had previously seemed destined to remain unsolved.  Thank you to the Incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research and Writing support! References New York Times. 1937. "Clemency is asked for John Fiorenza." New York Times, January 12: 3. —. 1936. "Fiorenza counsel accuses a 'fiend'." New York Times, May 21: 7. —. 1936. "Fiorenza doomed to electric chair." New York Times, June 6: 34. —. 1936. "Fiorenza insane, alienst swears." New York Times, May 26: 48. —. 1936. "Fiorenza's mother sets up an alibi." New York Times, May 23: 34. —. 1936. "Plea of insanity by Fiorenza likely." New York Times, April 23: 5. —. 1936. "Scientists study clues to slayer of Mrs. Titterton." New York Times, April 12: 1. —. 1937. "Titterton slayer is put to death." New York Times, January 22: 42. —. 1936. "Upholdwerter's aide confesses murder of Mrs. Titterton." New York Times, April 22: 1. —. 1936. "Woman writer, 34, found strangled in bathtub in home." New York Times, April 11: 1. Schechter, Harold. 2014. The Mad Sculptor: The Maniac, the Model, and the Murder that Shook the Nation. New York, NY: Little A Publishing . Times Union. 1936. "Countess tells of prowler knocking on door 8 hours before writer was strangled." Brooklyn Times Union, April 11: 1. —. 1936. "Arraigned and denied bail, he then retraces flght." Times Union (Brooklyn, New York), April 22: 1. —. 1936. "Fiorenza guilty in first degree." Times Union (Brooklyn, New York), May 28: 1. —. 1936. "Johnnie was a good boy, sobs mother of slayer." Times Union (Brooklyn, New York), April 21: 1. —. 1936. "Hunt mysterious prowler." Times Union (Brooklyn, NY), April 12: 1. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When thirty-four-year-old St. Paul housewife Carol Thompson was murdered in the spring of 1963, her entire neighborhood was shocked by the evil that had invaded their middle-class neighborhood. As far as anyone knew, Carol was a happily married mother of four who appeared to have it all, but the cruel brutality of her murder suggested someone had hated her enough to kill her. When investigators began to dig deeper into Carol’s life and background, they found the truth was that, far from the happy façade she showed the world, Carol Thompson’s life was anything but happy. In the weeks that followed her death, investigators would uncover an unexpectedly complicated conspiracy involving several well-known criminals, all leading back to the one person no one wanted to suspect. Thank you to the Incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research and Writing support! References Associated Press. 1963. "Slaying details related in court." New York Times, November 27: 49. —. 1963. "Woman is linked to 'hire' murder." New York Times, November 5: 17. 2016. A Crime to Remember. Directed by Tony Glazer. Performed by Chloe Boxer and Christine Connor. Cesnik, Jim. 1963. "'Cotton' Thompson--as father, friend." Minneapolis Star, June 25: 1. Letofsky, Irv. 1963. "Never an acquittal vote." Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN), December 7: 1. Letofsky, Irv, and Jim Cesnik. 1963. "City man held in Phoenix in Thompson slaying case." Star Tribune, April 20: 1. Minneapolis Star. 1963. "FBI to check policies on Mrs. Thompson's life." Minneapolis Star , April 3: 1. —. 1963. "St. Paul mother 'critical' after stabbing in home." Minneapolis Star, March 6: 1. —. 1963. "Thompson arrested in wife's slaying." Minneapolis Star, June 21: 1. Presbrey, Paul. 1963. "Thompson killing gun identified." Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN), April 10: 1. Roberts, Sam. 2015. "T. Eugene Thompson dies at 88; crime stunned St. Paul." New York Times, September 6: 28. Romer, Sam. 1963. "Interview with captured suspect." Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN), April 20: 1. Rudick, Irvin. 1963. "Anderson told Sharp he slew Mrs. Thompson." Minneapolis Star, April 23: 1. Star Tribune. 1963. "Police seek clues in St. Paul slaying." Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN), March 7: 1. —. 1963. "Police want more talk with victim's mate." Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN), March 23: 1. —. 1963. "Statement also lists his assets." Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN), March 27: 1. Thompson, William. 2007. Dial M: The Murder of Carol Thompson. Nepean, ON: Borealis Books. United Press International. 1963. "Thompson trial told of insurance." New York Times, November 6: 29. Young, Douglas. 1963. "Husband of slain St. Paul woman explains $1,061,00 in insurance." Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN), March 27: 1. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Weirdos!! It’s our third SPECIAL BONUS EPISODE brought to YOU by our friends at Audible! Today we’re joined by a member of the PodFam, Spencer Henry from Cult Liter, Obitchuary & Gossip's Bridle! Join us while we chat about Jim Clemente & Peter McDonnell “Blue Beard”! Join the “Weirdos’ Audiobook Club" AND the conversation as we talk about the Title that dramatizes true events in a radio style drama! Hear about the productions origins, as well as the immense effort put into creating such an immersive experience. Haven’t listened yet? Don’t worry about it, friend! Go to Audible.com/weirdos for YOUR free trial! And don’t forget to click the episode post on Instagram to comment YOUR favorite aspects of the production, and discuss with other Weirdos who enjoyed the title, as well! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.