17 hours agoMember-onlyDNA from a Straw Solves a 27-Year-Old Cold CaseA man married the love of his life, only for her to be murdered less than two years later When a woman is murdered, the first suspect is often her husband or partner. Sadly, it’s because they usually are the murderer. But not in this case. In this story, not…True Crime5 min readTrue Crime5 min read
2 days agoMember-onlyInstead of Measuring Wealth by the Size of our Bank Account, What if we looked at our Inbox Instead?The years I made the most money were also the years I dreaded opening my email come Monday morning. For many years, I defined success via my salary and my savings. After all, I worked hard for my professional accomplishments! Having a steady paycheck and money in the bank meant…Life Lessons2 min readLife Lessons2 min read
Jan 14Member-onlyMother Kills 6-Year-Old Daughter Because She Resembles Her Ex-HusbandThe child’s tiny body was kept in a suitcase for days after her death When Kristi Abrahams brutally killed her 6-year-old daughter, those who knew her were understandably horrified. But that horror turned to fury when Kristi was sentenced to only 16 years in prison. The lack of evidence and…True Crime4 min readTrue Crime4 min read
Jan 7Member-onlyVictim’s Dog Helps Solve City’s Oldest Cold CaseIn 1974, Patricia “Annie” Ross was brutally murdered while her dog cowered in a dresser drawer The move was supposed to be a fresh start for Patricia Ann Ross — “Annie” to her friends. After finalizing a painful divorce, the outgoing 30-year-old moved to La Palma, California, from Tucson, Arizona. …True Crime5 min readTrue Crime5 min read
Published in History of Women·Jan 5Member-onlyYep, there was Really Such a Thing as “Prettiest Ankle” Pageants in the early 1900sSponsored by hosiery companies, the winners received cash, free stockings, and bragging rights for having the shapeliest ankles Who knew the humble ankle could be so titillating? Let’s face it. When it comes to female body parts, breasts and the derriere get the most attention. But from as early as the 18th century, seeing a flash of ankle could…History3 min readHistory3 min read
Published in The Collector·Dec 22, 2022Member-onlyIf You Blinked, You Might Have Missed this Historical Detail in the Movie “Titanic”Two men from 1st class made a split-second decision to jump into the last lifeboat available — If you can believe it, the 1997 blockbuster hit Titanic turned 25 years old in 2022. Anchored by a fictional love story and a treasure hunter’s search for the famed “Heart of the Ocean” diamond, the film brought Titanic’s ill-fated maiden voyage to vivid life. Long after the credits rolled…History5 min readHistory5 min read
Published in The Collector·Dec 18, 2022Member-onlyAshford v. Thornton, the famous criminal case that upheld the right to trial by battleOnce upon a time, the state actually sanctioned fighting to death When my sister and I were young, arm wrestling was our go-to form of dispute resolution. And boy, did we take it seriously. We even had strict rules to ensure no cheating. My sister had three years and a…History6 min readHistory6 min read
Dec 17, 2022Member-onlyFor years, a Boy Hung a Photo on his Bedroom Wall, not Realizing it was of his Mother’s KillerSingle mom Linda Slaten was raped and murdered in 1981 For decades, Jeff and his younger brother, Tim, lived in fear of a man they called “the Monster.” They didn’t know who the Monster was, just that the Monster had viciously raped and murdered their mom. For all they knew…True Crime6 min readTrue Crime6 min read
Published in History of Women·Dec 14, 2022Member-onlyThe Smear Campaign against Marie AntoinetteShe wasn’t perfect, but she wasn’t the spoiled, heartless queen history painted her to be History has not been kind to Marie Antoinette, the last queen of France before the French Revolution. Marie Antoinette is famously misquoted as saying, “Let them eat cake,” in response to learning that the French…History4 min readHistory4 min read
Dec 5, 2022Member-onlyPsychic Helps Solve 1984 Cold CaseAn unidentified woman had been strangled and dumped in a ravine two days before Christmas When Detective Wanner of Cumru Township Police in Pennsylvania first met psychic Dr. Lauren Thibodeau, he wasn’t sure what to expect. He had never consulted a psychic before, and certainly not on a homicide investigation…True Crime5 min readTrue Crime5 min read
