Podcast


EPISODE 1

Experience the chilling tale of the Atlanta Ripper, and uncover why his gruesome crimes have been shrouded in obscurity. Listen as we recount the harrowing story of Emma Lou Sharpe, who survived a brutal attack and provided crucial details to the police after her mother, Lena, was found murdered. We explore the social and racial tensions of early 1900s Atlanta—a city grappling with its Confederate past and rapid industrial growth—shedding light on the city’s darker corners where the Ripper roamed.

Join seasoned journalist and acclaimed author Carole Townsend, as she examines how the murders of so many women went unnoticed by newspapers and law enforcement alike, until the crimes could no longer be ignored. Drawing on sources including books and newspaper articles, we’ll piece together why these crimes remain lesser-known, and delve into the historical context that allowed such terror to persist. Don’t miss an opportunity to learn about and understand a critical and shadowy part of Atlanta’s history.

 

EPISODE 2

The episode begins with the tragic story of Mary Fagan, a 13-year-old girl who went to collect her wages at the National Pencil Company in Atlanta on Confederate Memorial Day in 1913, only to never return home. Her brutalized body was discovered in the factory’s basement, accompanied by incriminating notes that attempted to frame the night watchman. This heart-wrenching story uncovers layers of historical injustice and sets the stage for further exploration of the dark events that followed.