Horrorwood: True Crime in Tinseltown

• The Murder of Oscar-Winning Actor Dr. Haing S. Ngor - Part 1

  Haing Ngor's childhood in Cambodia was marked by political unrest leading up to the Cold War. As an adult, he survived the Cambodian genocide under the Khmer Rouge regime to build a new life in Los Angeles, CA. His career took a surprising turn when he became an award-winning actor, but his life was cut short when he was gunned down in 1996. Did fame play a part in his murder?   Episode Sources: “A Cambodian Odyssey” by Haing Ngor with Roger Warner, 1987 “Khmer Rouge: Cambodia's years of brutality” BBC, Nov 16, 2018 Strangeland Season 3: The Killing Fields of L.A. hosted by Ben Adair and Mayly Tao, Audiochuck, Aug 16, 2024 “World Report 2024: Cambodia” Human Rights Watch “Cambodia 1975-1979” United States Holocaust Memorial Museum “Khmer Rouge Ideology” Holocaust Memorial Day Trust “Khmer Rouge” Britannica TAK SUN TAN v. RUNNELS (2005) “World News Briefs; Poltical Motive Alleged In Killing of Cambodian” The New York Times, AP, Feb 29, 1996, Sec. A, p. 12 “For Haing Ngor, Sorrow Marks a Return Home” by Elizabeth Lu, Los Angeles Times, Sep 12, 1989 “`KILLING FIELDS' OF L.A. CLAIM CAMBODIAN HERO” Deseret News, AP, Mar 03, 1996 “Unauthorized play about Oscar-winner Haing S. Ngor causes friction” by David Ng, Los Angeles Times, July 17, 2013 “The day Haing S. Ngor won the Oscar” by Roger Ebert, Dec 14, 2012 “Three Men Convicted of Killing Ngor” by Daniel Yi and Greg Krikorian, Los Angeles Times, Apr 17, 1998 “Revisiting Haing Ngor's murder: 'Killing Fields' theory won't die” by My-Thuan Tran, Los Angeles Times, Jan 21, 2010 “Cambodian Physician Who Won an Oscar for 'Killing Fields' Is Slain” by Kenneth B. Noble, The New York Times, Feb 27, 1996 “Great Niece Of Famous Doctor Returns To Cambodia As Part Of PCOM GA Mission Trip” by Chris Starrs, Gwinnett Daily Post, Sep 15, 2024 “Tragedy Behind the ‘Killing Fields’ Star Who Won a Supporting Actor Oscar” by Rebecca Sun, The Hollywood Reporter, Feb 24, 2016   Join our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/horrorwoodpodcast   Follow us! IG, FB, FB Group, Twitter, TikTok   Send us an email: [email protected]   Creeptastic theme music by: Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast   Privacy Policy

  --------  

  1:11:24

  --------

  1:11:24
• The Heartless Murder of Kesaria Abramidze

  A beloved actress, model, and trailblazing trans icon in the country of Georgia, Kesaria Abramidze used her voice to speak out against domestic violence and injustice—right up until the moment it took her life. Just one day after a sweeping anti-LGBTQ+ law passed in Parliament, Kesaria was found brutally murdered in her home. Her story isn’t just about one victim—it’s about a country at a crossroads, and the danger of state-sanctioned hate.   Episode Sources: “Kesaria Abramidze” on January 16, 2021 from intermedia.ge “Kesaria Abramidze will represent Georgia Georgia at Miss Trans World” from imedianews.ge on March 7, 2018 “Kesaria Abramidze: Most Georgian men don't know where to caress a woman” by Keti Modebadze, May 16, 2022, Tbiliselebi “MIA confirms arrest of suspect in Kesaria Abramidze’s murder” from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty on September 19, 2024 “The murder of Kesaria Abramidze - what were the circumstances surrounding it and what preceded it?” by Lela is a slut, from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty on September 19, 2024 “‘He broke into my house several times’ - what the friend of the murdered Kesaria Abramidze says about the accused” from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty on September 19, 2024 “Trans woman killed in Georgia day after anti-LGBT law passed” by Frances Mao, September 20, 2024, BBC News “Georgian trans model murdered after parliament passes ‘anti-LGBTQ+’ law” by Pjotr Sauer, September 19, 2024, The Guardian “Man Sentenced to Life for Brutal Murder of Transgender Model Kesaria Abramidze” from Civil Georgia on April 16, 2025 “Georgian Dream Pushes Amendments to Remove ‘Gender’ from the Legislation” from Civil Georgia on February 25, 2025 “Man gets life in prison in killing of transgender model in the South Caucasus nation of Georgia” from the Associated Press, April 16, 2025 “Prosecutor: Beka Jaiani called Kesaria Abramidze a ‘mistake of nature’” by Mariam Razmadze, March 14, 2025, Georgia Today “Ex-boyfriend who stabbed transgender actress and influencer to death is jailed for life” by Sabrina Penty, April 16, 2025, Daily Mail “One day after Georgia's anti-LGBTQIA+ crackdown, Trans model is killed in possible ‘premeditated murder’” by Jamie Wareham, September 21, 2024, QueerAF “Life Sentence in Georgia for Murder of Trans Icon Kesaria” by Transvitae Staff, April 17, 2025, TransVitae “Brooklyn Episcopal church hosts memorial service for murdered Georgian transgender woman” by Lynette Wilson, October 1, 2024, Episcopal News Service “The Tragic Murder of Kesaria Abramidze: A Stark Reminder of Georgia’s Growing Transphobia” by Georgia Today, October 3, 2024, Georgia Today “Georgia’s surprising LGBTQ+ scene” by James Jackson, January 24, 2023, BBC News “Kesaria Abramidze” from Timenote “I Plead Guilty to Killing a Person: Trial Begins in the Murder of Kesaria Abramidze” Reddit post from Sepcific-Draft-5038 on r/MtF   Join our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/horrorwoodpodcast   Follow us! IG, FB, FB Group, Twitter, TikTok   Send us an email: [email protected]   Creeptastic theme music by: Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast   Privacy Policy

  --------  

  58:33

  --------

  58:33
• The Circus Train Tragedy of 1918

  At its peak, the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus was one of the largest traveling shows in the country—until a tragic train wreck in 1918 brought it to a screeching halt. This story follows the rise of the American circus, the crash that claimed dozens of lives near Hammond, Indiana, and the haunting legacy of Showmen’s Rest, where many of the victims are buried. It’s a tale of spectacle, sorrow, and the circus community’s motto: the show must go on.   Episode Sources: “The Great Circus Train Wreck of 1918: Tragedy on the Indiana Lakeshore” by Richard M. Lytle, Published by The History Press, 2010 “Hagenbeck Wallace Circus” from Circuses and Sideshows “Ben Wallace” from Circuses and Sideshows “William Cameron Coup” from Circuses and Sideshows “The Hammond Train Wreck of 1918 Killed Scores of Circus Performers” by Lorraine Boissoneault, June 22, 2018, Smithsonian Magazine “The 1918 Hagenbeck-Wallace Tragedy: Breakdown” by Korry Shepard, February 23, 2021, Medium “The truths of the circus train crash of 1918 are more horrifying than myths” by Will Higgins, June 20, 2018, IndyStar “The Deadliest Circus Train Wreck in History” by Paul Andrews, January 25, 2024, Lost In History “The Haunting Legacy of Showmen’s Rest in Forest Park, IL” from Explore Oak Park and Beyond “Welcome to the Showmen's League of America: Our History” from Showmen’s League of America website “The First Zoo Part I: The Circus Myth” by Paul Sewick, January 14, 2012, Corktown History “Why Does a Circus Have Three Rings?” from The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, February 2020 “Attractions” from The City of Peru, Indiana website   Join our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/horrorwoodpodcast   Follow us! IG, FB, FB Group, Twitter, TikTok   Send us an email: [email protected]   Creeptastic theme music by: Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast   Privacy Policy

  --------  

  1:08:03

  --------

  1:08:03
• The Wild & Wily Kidnapping of Frank Sinatra, Jr.

  When Frank Sinatra, Jr. checked into his motel room in Lake Tahoe, he never could have predicted the circumstances in which he'd be checking out. What ensued was a comedy of errors involving a snowstorm, a musical legend, and a hapless kidnapper with a heart of gold.   Episode Sources: “The Grand Scheme: Snatching Sinatra” hosted by John Stamos “The True Story of the 1963 Kidnapping of Frank Sinatra Jr.” by Lauren Kranc, Esquire, Jul 27, 2021 “Frank Sinatra, Jr., Kidnapping” FBI “Kidnapping As Plan B” Hosted by Ira Glass, This American Life “61 Years Ago Today, Frank Sinatra Jr. Was Kidnapped: Why His Dad Began Carrying Dimes in His Pockets” by Corin Cesaric, People, Dec 08, 2024 “Frank Sinatra Jr: 'I was living in his shadow’” by Nick Duerden, The Guardian, Aug 31, 2012 “Frank Sinatra Jr. abducted from Tahoe motel” Reno Gazette Journal, Dec 9, 1963 “A Kidnapper's Story: Can Crime Pay?” By Rene Sanchez, The Washington Post, Dec 21, 1999 “There’s Nothing to Be Sorry For” TIME, Dec 20, 1963 “MYSTERIOUS FINANCIER: Dean Torrence and the Kidnapping of Frank Sinatra Jr.” by Mark A. Moore, Jan Berry Official Site, Dec 30, 2017 “Regrets, Sinatra Jr. kidnapper has had a few” by Michael Corcoran, Feb 2001   Join our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/horrorwoodpodcast   Follow us! IG, FB, FB Group, Twitter, TikTok   Send us an email: [email protected]   Creeptastic theme music by: Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast   Privacy Policy

  --------  

  1:19:02

  --------

  1:19:02
• LISTENER FAVORITE: The Shooting of Stuntman Garrett Warren

  Garrett Warren was at the top of his game when he was gunned down in the doorway of his home - and in front of his mother, no less. But why would anyone want to murder a man described as a kind, generous friend and focused professional? This case has some wild twists and turns involving a pizza parlor, a picture taken at a party and...Home Alone's Joe Pesci???? And how did one misspelled word put the nail in the coffin, so to speak?   Episode Sources: Dateline: The Plot Thickens, S21 E1 “When It Mattered: Garrett Warren” hosted by Chitra Ragavan “Private eye drops suit against Pesci” by the Associated Press Interview with Garrett Warren by Brad Curran “Husband Tells Story of Hitman Attack” - transcript, Nancy Grace “Did Joe Pesci’s Ex Hire a Hitman?” By Christine Pelisek "Primed for Pain" by Chitra Ragavan   Join our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/horrorwoodpodcast   Follow us! IG, FB, FB Group, Twitter, TikTok   Send us an email: [email protected]   Creeptastic theme music by: Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast   Privacy Policy

  --------  

  1:05:08

  --------

  1:05:08

Más podcasts de True crime

Podcasts a la moda de True crime

Acerca de Horrorwood: True Crime in Tinseltown