UDSKRIFT 🔗
WEBVTT
1
00:00:02.560 --> 00:00:08.119
A note to listeners before we begin. Today's story is extremely graphic in nature
2
00:00:08.240 --> 00:00:12.759
and some may find its contents disturbing. And this is coming from me,
3
00:00:13.000 --> 00:00:23.839
the creator of a true crime podcast. Listener discretion is advised. It was
4
00:00:23.879 --> 00:00:28.239
a beautiful Sunday morning in the High
Park district of Kansas City. Monty,
5
00:00:28.320 --> 00:00:33.000
a representative of the local power company, was making his rounds of checking residential
6
00:00:33.039 --> 00:00:51.960
electric meters. Helloa, this is
Monty, sir. I'm with the Missouri
7
00:00:52.039 --> 00:00:56.520
Public Services. So you've come to
steal more of my heart and money,
8
00:00:56.520 --> 00:01:00.399
then don't shoot the messenger, mister
Duval. I'm just here to do a
9
00:01:00.439 --> 00:01:03.159
meter reading. We'll make it quick
and then get off my property. You're
10
00:01:03.239 --> 00:01:08.280
kind of welcome you, thank you, mister Duval. Monty started toward the
11
00:01:08.319 --> 00:01:12.359
back of the house before being stopped
once more by the grouchy homeowner. Oh
12
00:01:14.000 --> 00:01:17.840
and son, Yes, sir,
don't get too close to that tree line
13
00:01:17.879 --> 00:01:23.680
bad. There there's a beast that
lives near the sure thing, mister Duval.
14
00:01:23.719 --> 00:01:26.959
As Monty approached the electric meter on
the back side of the house,
15
00:01:27.280 --> 00:01:33.120
he counted out the numbers to himself, ignoring mister Duval's warning. Fifty one
16
00:01:34.079 --> 00:01:49.040
twenty nine, seventeen, thirty eight, sixty three forty Who's there? Before
17
00:01:49.079 --> 00:01:53.079
Monty could gather himself, a beast
emerged from the woods with swollen red eyes,
18
00:01:53.200 --> 00:01:57.400
blood dripping from its skin, and
rope wrapped around its limbs. Jesus
19
00:01:57.519 --> 00:02:02.760
Christ. Monty started back, attempting
to get away, but found himself falling
20
00:02:02.840 --> 00:02:07.680
on his back. The beast frantically
ran to Manti, getting near his face
21
00:02:07.759 --> 00:02:14.560
and letting out a horrific, raspy
screech, help me. Over the past
22
00:02:14.599 --> 00:02:19.879
couple of years, I have covered
some horrific crimes injustices, disappearances, and
23
00:02:20.039 --> 00:02:23.280
even serial killers, but none of
these strikes a chord of dread quite like
24
00:02:23.360 --> 00:02:28.800
the thought of being gay. In
the nineteen eighties, remnant of attitudes from
25
00:02:28.840 --> 00:02:32.800
the decades prior, homosexuality was still
publicly perceived as a deviancy during this time,
26
00:02:34.439 --> 00:02:38.360
as a result of families disowning their
children and the repression that spawned from
27
00:02:38.360 --> 00:02:43.439
it, an underground scene of drug
use, prostitution, and transient lifestyle emerged
28
00:02:43.479 --> 00:02:46.800
in the gay community on a national
scale. It was this network of outcasts
29
00:02:46.879 --> 00:02:52.080
that allowed infamous serial killers like Jeffrey
Dahmer and John Wayne gacy to thrive.
30
00:02:52.879 --> 00:02:57.560
Our story today takes place right in
the thicket of this dark scene, and
31
00:02:57.639 --> 00:03:00.919
at the heart is a monster whose
crimes are cosidered to be some of the
32
00:03:00.960 --> 00:03:36.240
most heinous of the late twentieth century. Welcome to Deadtime Stories. Our story
33
00:03:36.319 --> 00:03:39.840
begins in nineteen eighty four. The
American dream is alive and well in suburban
34
00:03:39.960 --> 00:03:45.759
Kansas City. Despite this, the
Howell family can't seem to catch a break.
35
00:03:46.400 --> 00:03:50.520
Living out of a small apartment.
Peter Howell supported his family by running
36
00:03:50.520 --> 00:03:54.439
a small merchant stand out of a
local flea market. It paid all about
37
00:03:54.479 --> 00:03:58.919
as well as it sounded. The
hard times didn't seem to get in the
38
00:03:58.960 --> 00:04:06.599
way of Peterson Jerry from having a
good time Gary, Gary, what's up?
39
00:04:06.680 --> 00:04:10.800
Dad? Quit that queer dancing for
a bit and come help me down
40
00:04:10.840 --> 00:04:18.800
at the shop. Really on a
Saturday. After further demands, Peter was
41
00:04:18.839 --> 00:04:23.480
able to peel his son away from
the music and down to the nearby flea
42
00:04:23.560 --> 00:04:29.639
market. However, when they got
there, they found something different. It
43
00:04:29.759 --> 00:04:32.079
looks like we have a neighbor.
A new merchant had set up shop next
44
00:04:32.079 --> 00:04:38.199
to the Howels. The items for
sale ranged from cooking utensils, handcrafted trinkets
45
00:04:38.279 --> 00:04:43.360
and my personal favorite gay sex toys. Oh what the hell? Yis?
46
00:04:44.319 --> 00:04:46.480
Well, at least you probably won't
be around long selling that kind of shit.
47
00:04:47.000 --> 00:04:51.120
The owner of the merchant stand,
clad with a bold mustache, seemed
48
00:04:51.319 --> 00:04:57.000
just as eccentric as the items he
sold. Good morning, fellas, Welcome
49
00:04:57.079 --> 00:05:01.519
to Bob's Bizarre Bizarre. I'm Bob
Burdella. Pleasure to meet Bob. I'm
50
00:05:01.560 --> 00:05:04.480
Peter Howell. This is my son, Jerry. We on the stand next
51
00:05:04.480 --> 00:05:11.040
to you. Baby. I was
worried a psycho was going to be next
52
00:05:11.079 --> 00:05:15.600
to me. No, no psychos
here. Jerry wanted to contribute to the
53
00:05:15.639 --> 00:05:20.639
conversation, but couldn't it seem to
take his attention away from Bob's provocative collection.
54
00:05:21.000 --> 00:05:26.720
You know, families like to shop
here. Baggots aren't really well go
55
00:05:27.079 --> 00:05:30.279
oh, I'm sorry, scared of
a little culture in your life. No,
56
00:05:31.399 --> 00:05:35.480
it's just fucking gross, Jerry.
Peter took his son aside to have
57
00:05:35.560 --> 00:05:41.240
a little
Load full transcript
father son chat. You're
being very inappropriate, Jerry. Come on,
58
00:05:41.360 --> 00:05:44.240
dad, I don't want to have
to look at that shit all day.
59
00:05:44.399 --> 00:05:46.319
I don't either, But a stand
like this may bring in a different
60
00:05:46.399 --> 00:05:49.160
kind of clientele, and that may
be better for our stand. In the
61
00:05:49.199 --> 00:05:55.240
long run, the stand did bring
a new clientele and different. They definitely
62
00:05:55.279 --> 00:05:59.040
were. Oh my gosh, I
just got it as a gift. Actually,
63
00:05:59.319 --> 00:06:01.600
my boy gave it to What is
something you might have picked up to
64
00:06:01.680 --> 00:06:05.879
your Actually he's been over here before
it, I mean Bob. Bridella's stand
65
00:06:05.920 --> 00:06:11.120
was successful in its early days.
Driving that success, we're men from the
66
00:06:11.160 --> 00:06:15.319
local gay scene. Often these men
had tattoos and piercings, and their energy
67
00:06:15.519 --> 00:06:21.600
always seemed to match that of Bridella
himself. Oh my god, Oh my
68
00:06:21.639 --> 00:06:26.560
god, Bob, that's yeah,
that's my Oscar Meyer. Okay. Jerry
69
00:06:26.600 --> 00:06:30.720
was taken aback by this sudden shock
of culture. He coped with this by
70
00:06:30.759 --> 00:06:33.800
being a total asshole. Oh hey, Bob, are you and your buddies
71
00:06:33.879 --> 00:06:38.959
going to pass around diseases in the
back alley after you're done working? Sure?
72
00:06:39.000 --> 00:06:42.959
Are? Do you want to join? Because I'm sure you can expect
73
00:06:43.040 --> 00:06:47.079
a friendship blossom soon after. Jerry
enjoyed teasing and Bob threw it right back
74
00:06:47.079 --> 00:06:54.839
at him. What a beautiful symbiotic
relationship. One day, Jerry became particularly
75
00:06:54.920 --> 00:06:58.600
interested in an item that Bob was
playing with. Hey, is that a
76
00:06:58.600 --> 00:07:02.360
Polaroid camera is Oh, I never
used one. They're amazing. I like
77
00:07:02.439 --> 00:07:10.519
getting my picture immediately too, mind
if I try? Go ahead? Oh
78
00:07:10.639 --> 00:07:15.120
wow, that's awesome. Photography is
a side hobby of mine. What kind
79
00:07:15.120 --> 00:07:18.720
of pictures do you take? I
like to take pictures with my friends as
80
00:07:18.720 --> 00:07:24.800
a keepsick of what's good in my
life. That's heavy, man? What
81
00:07:24.879 --> 00:07:28.439
are you doing when you're done here? I'm not gonna help my dad with
82
00:07:28.560 --> 00:07:32.160
some projects back home. Sounds boring. Would you want to come and hang
83
00:07:32.199 --> 00:07:36.040
out at my place instead? Come
on, Bob, I don't want to
84
00:07:36.079 --> 00:07:43.040
be around anything gay. Why you
afraid you're gonna catch it? It's not
85
00:07:43.240 --> 00:07:50.040
polio, I don't know. I've
got plenty of booze there. All right?
86
00:07:50.839 --> 00:07:56.040
Fine, but not for too long. After they finished work, the
87
00:07:56.120 --> 00:08:00.879
duo made their way to Bob's house
in Hyde Park forty three fifteen Charlotte Street
88
00:08:00.920 --> 00:08:03.920
to be exact. As they arrived, Jerry was shocked to find out that
89
00:08:03.959 --> 00:08:09.000
there were other people already at the
house. Don't look too shocked. That's
90
00:08:09.079 --> 00:08:13.120
Mark. He helps me out with
my yardwork sometimes. Mark looked far from
91
00:08:13.120 --> 00:08:18.439
a normal yardworker. His clothes were
tattered and it appeared he hadn't slept in
92
00:08:18.480 --> 00:08:22.720
a bed and well over a year. Ah, take a break for a
93
00:08:22.759 --> 00:08:26.519
minute. Come have a drink with
my friend, and I sure, saying
94
00:08:26.600 --> 00:08:33.759
Boss. Inside, Bob poured a
round of drinks. Mark the yard guy
95
00:08:35.200 --> 00:08:41.120
partook in other things as well.
Hakin, do you like to crank?
96
00:08:41.360 --> 00:08:45.399
What do you mean, Mark?
You're not doing that kind of shit here
97
00:08:45.440 --> 00:08:48.759
anymore. Oh, come on,
Boss, you always say that. But
98
00:08:48.919 --> 00:08:54.279
I know you got Tina stashed around
here. Well, Jerry doesn't party.
99
00:08:54.759 --> 00:09:01.120
He's straight lace. I'm not straight
laced rinking, aren't I? Yeah,
100
00:09:01.279 --> 00:09:05.639
kid, but you aren't doing any
of the fun Cherry. Tell me more
101
00:09:05.639 --> 00:09:11.600
about your dad. He seems nice. He's all right. We're pretty tight
102
00:09:11.720 --> 00:09:15.279
most of the time. Must be
nice having a close relationship with your father.
103
00:09:15.960 --> 00:09:20.320
I guess it's fine. Where is
your dad? He died when I
104
00:09:20.360 --> 00:09:24.240
was a team Jesus, I'm sorry
to hear that. Don't be sorry,
105
00:09:24.440 --> 00:09:28.240
kid, Bobby's father was a huge
day Mark. Will you shut the fuck
106
00:09:28.360 --> 00:09:35.000
up for just one minute? Sorry? Boss? Is it true? Though?
107
00:09:35.159 --> 00:09:39.879
Of course it is. He was
a fucking asshole. He loved my
108
00:09:39.960 --> 00:09:46.440
younger brother, He loved his athleticism, his charm, and I didn't have
109
00:09:46.480 --> 00:09:52.120
any of that. He made me
hate people heavy, man, I'm sorry,
110
00:09:52.559 --> 00:09:56.440
let's change the subject. What do
you want to be when you grow
111
00:09:56.519 --> 00:10:01.840
up? I don't know, man. My dad has eyes on me helping
112
00:10:01.960 --> 00:10:07.360
him with his merchant stand. I
kind of want to be a dancer,
113
00:10:07.399 --> 00:10:11.399
though. Who boss. I knew
you had the skill of getting fags back
114
00:10:11.399 --> 00:10:15.799
to your place, but this kid
is a new level. I'm not gay,
115
00:10:16.279 --> 00:10:18.919
yeah, and this isn't mess.
I'm serious. Do you have a
116
00:10:18.960 --> 00:10:24.519
girlfriend? Not at the moment.
So you want to be a dancer.
117
00:10:24.679 --> 00:10:30.360
You have no girlfriend, and you're
buddy buddy with Bobby Burdella. That sounds
118
00:10:30.399 --> 00:10:33.360
like the perfect fruity cocktail to me. Don't listen to him, Jerry.
119
00:10:33.960 --> 00:10:39.120
You discover your sexuality on your own
terms. There's nothing to discover. I'm
120
00:10:39.159 --> 00:10:43.399
not gay, are you sure about
that? I mean, have you even
121
00:10:43.480 --> 00:10:50.159
sucked at dick? No? No, of course not. He is so
122
00:10:50.360 --> 00:10:58.600
lying. I haven't spill it,
kid, Okay. I did once one
123
00:10:58.639 --> 00:11:03.559
of my friends and knew a guy
and he was gonna give me some money.
124
00:11:03.200 --> 00:11:05.960
Jerry, I knew you were one
of us since the day I met
125
00:11:05.960 --> 00:11:09.039
you. Shut the fuck up,
Bob. You know nothing about me.
126
00:11:09.360 --> 00:11:13.519
I'm not a fucking faggot and I'm
not like the two of you. Stop
127
00:11:13.559 --> 00:11:20.519
trying to rope me into your shit. Don't you just love having hangouts like
128
00:11:20.559 --> 00:11:24.879
that with your friends? Okay,
moving on. As you can imagine,
129
00:11:26.039 --> 00:11:28.679
this would not be the end of
Jerry and Bob. I mean they worked
130
00:11:28.720 --> 00:11:35.000
in neighboring's dance for Crying out Loud. Their toxic friendship continued well into the
131
00:11:35.000 --> 00:11:39.399
following months. Their fueling tensions seemed
to culminate to one evening when Jerry called
132
00:11:39.440 --> 00:11:46.720
his older friend for a favor.
What's up. This is Robert, Bob.
133
00:11:48.080 --> 00:11:52.559
It's Jerry. Jerry, how's your
weekend? It's whatever. Listen,
134
00:11:54.000 --> 00:12:01.240
I got invited to this dance contest
and Miriam and you called to ask me
135
00:12:01.399 --> 00:12:05.000
to give you one. Yes,
I'd appreciate it. The weather is supposed
136
00:12:05.000 --> 00:12:09.440
to be pretty bad tonight. Can't
you take the bus? It starts in
137
00:12:09.480 --> 00:12:13.639
two hours. I don't know if
i'll get there in time. All right,
138
00:12:13.840 --> 00:12:18.159
fine, but we aren't going to
make this a regular thing. Yeah,
139
00:12:18.200 --> 00:12:24.360
whatever, thanks Bob. Bob was
a man of his word and went
140
00:12:24.399 --> 00:12:31.240
to pick up Jerry once the teenager
was in his car. Bob could see
141
00:12:31.279 --> 00:12:35.919
that something was wrong. Everything all
right, Jared, Yeah, I'm fine,
142
00:12:35.320 --> 00:12:39.360
let's just go. You don't seem
fine, I'm just nervous. Well,
143
00:12:39.440 --> 00:12:43.559
here, why don't you try some
of this. Bob pulled out a
144
00:12:43.559 --> 00:12:46.279
flask from his pocket and gave it
to the passenger. What is it?
145
00:12:46.399 --> 00:12:50.960
Just some alcohol with a hint of
value. It will make you relax.
146
00:12:54.000 --> 00:13:00.480
Thanks, Bob. Listen, I
want to apologize for the other day.
147
00:13:00.960 --> 00:13:03.320
Mark's kind of an asshole. You
were kind of an asshole too, Bob.
148
00:13:05.320 --> 00:13:11.440
I guess you're
right. I shouldn't
make assumptions so quickly, Bob.
149
00:13:13.159 --> 00:13:18.600
Can I ask you something? Of
course? Do you think that dancing is
150
00:13:18.639 --> 00:13:24.759
gay? What do you mean?
I mean, do you think I'm gay
151
00:13:24.799 --> 00:13:30.039
because I like dancing? I don't
think that's for me to decide. Oh
152
00:13:30.080 --> 00:13:35.600
my god, I don't feel so
good right now, Bob. You're probably
153
00:13:35.639 --> 00:13:41.480
just getting car sick. Yeah,
you're probably right. Do you think dancing
154
00:13:41.559 --> 00:13:45.120
makes you gay? I don't.
I don't. I don't think so.
155
00:13:46.240 --> 00:13:52.320
It makes me so happy, though, really, Yeah, when I'm dancing,
156
00:13:54.919 --> 00:14:01.600
it feels like one of the only
times I feel like like me and
157
00:14:01.720 --> 00:14:11.039
I get this huge rush of bliss. Like like I'm getting lost in something
158
00:14:11.080 --> 00:14:15.080
incredible. Everything's incredible, Jerry.
You just have to know how to look
159
00:14:15.120 --> 00:14:26.799
at it right. One thing isn't
right. I feel funny. It's all
160
00:14:26.799 --> 00:14:54.440
gonna be all right, Jerry.
What is London? You know? When
161
00:14:54.519 --> 00:15:00.320
Jerry came to he wasn't at a
dance contest in Miriam. Instead, he
162
00:15:00.399 --> 00:15:07.919
was in Bob's room, tied to
his bed. It's okay, it's okay.
163
00:15:09.080 --> 00:15:11.399
All you have to do is behave
and it will all be over soon.
164
00:15:15.600 --> 00:15:20.000
Oh, I know, I know
it's a lot to take in.
165
00:15:20.480 --> 00:15:26.000
Don't worry though, I'll take good
care of you. The first thing Bob
166
00:15:26.039 --> 00:15:30.440
did was put chalk into Jerry's ears. This was to prevent him from hearing
167
00:15:30.440 --> 00:15:35.039
too much. The next thing Bob
did was pull out his syringe. In
168
00:15:35.120 --> 00:15:39.440
an attempt to sedate Jerry and to
tickle his own torturous fantasies. Bob began
169
00:15:39.519 --> 00:15:54.120
to inject drain cleaner into the boy's
neck. The torture and rape lasted over
170
00:15:54.200 --> 00:16:00.679
twenty eight hours. Jerry repeatedly begged
to be set free, but to no
171
00:16:00.759 --> 00:16:06.320
avail. At some point in the
middle of the night, most likely caused
172
00:16:06.320 --> 00:16:10.639
by choking on his own vomit.
Jerry Howell died at the age of nineteen.
173
00:16:11.559 --> 00:16:17.960
Suddenly, Robert Burdella had a lot
bigger problem on his hands. Up
174
00:16:18.039 --> 00:16:22.279
until this point, Robert had never
murdered someone. Jerry's kidnapping and tortureous spur
175
00:16:22.320 --> 00:16:27.039
of the moment, and his death
left the problem of disposing. He set
176
00:16:27.080 --> 00:16:32.840
the body onto a meat hook and
made multiple incisions, letting the blood drain
177
00:16:32.919 --> 00:16:41.600
from the body into a container below. What's up? This is ROBERTA Thank
178
00:16:41.639 --> 00:16:45.200
god you answered. Have you seen
or heard from Jerry? He hasn't been
179
00:16:45.200 --> 00:16:48.519
home in almost two days. I
drove him to a dance contest the other
180
00:16:48.679 --> 00:16:51.720
night in Miriam, but that was
the last I heard from him. Oh
181
00:16:51.879 --> 00:16:55.360
God, I don't know where he
could be. If you hear from him
182
00:16:55.360 --> 00:17:00.360
at all, please please let me
know Sherif than Peter, You're in my
183
00:17:00.440 --> 00:17:04.960
thoughts and prayers. Once the body
was free of blood, Bob started to
184
00:17:06.039 --> 00:17:12.720
saw the limbs off. He planned
to hide the body parts in his backyard,
185
00:17:14.000 --> 00:17:23.160
confident they would never be found.
It was still raining in the Kansas
186
00:17:23.200 --> 00:17:29.319
City area, which made the ground
wet and muddy, perfect consistency to dig
187
00:17:29.359 --> 00:17:36.440
a hole. Once finished, Bob
went to go put his shovel into his
188
00:17:36.519 --> 00:17:41.359
shed, only to find a surprise
waiting for him. Jesus, Mark,
189
00:17:42.680 --> 00:17:47.960
Hey, Boss, what the fuck
are you doing in here? I'm sorry,
190
00:17:48.000 --> 00:17:51.319
Boss, I don't do fucking well
sleeping on the street when it's raining.
191
00:17:51.599 --> 00:17:56.000
I knew you didn't use the shed
much and I just had nowhere else
192
00:17:56.039 --> 00:18:00.079
to go. At first, Bob
was I need to kick Mark out on
193
00:18:00.079 --> 00:18:04.640
the spot, but then he got
an idea. Mark, Mark, It's
194
00:18:04.680 --> 00:18:11.079
okay. Please just stop crying.
Why didn't you spend the night tonight.
195
00:18:11.759 --> 00:18:17.240
We'll watch a movie and then figure
out where you'll go tomorrow. Okay.
196
00:18:17.640 --> 00:18:21.400
Bob led the yard worker into his
house, putting on a movie for him,
197
00:18:21.519 --> 00:18:26.359
ass he prepared drinks. I don't
think i've seen this one. Oh,
198
00:18:26.400 --> 00:18:30.160
it's my favorite. What's it called
a Collector? It came out when
199
00:18:30.200 --> 00:18:33.559
I was a kid. For listeners
who may not know, the Collector is
200
00:18:33.599 --> 00:18:37.440
a movie about a guy kidnapping a
woman and holding her captive in his rural
201
00:18:37.519 --> 00:18:41.200
farmhouse. I think I might know
where Bob got his inspiration from. I
202
00:18:41.279 --> 00:18:45.759
can't thank you enough. Boss.
It's not a problem him. Why don't
203
00:18:45.759 --> 00:18:49.200
you have a drink You've got the
best liquor around here, man. I'm
204
00:18:49.319 --> 00:18:52.960
sure you can see where this is
going. The drink was made with a
205
00:18:53.000 --> 00:19:00.079
similar concoction used to sedate Jerry,
and well, things went real south from
206
00:19:00.119 --> 00:19:07.799
there. He had Mark captive in
a similar manner to his previous victim,
207
00:19:07.839 --> 00:19:11.799
except for one thing. This time, Bob had his victim tied up on
208
00:19:11.880 -->
00:19:18.039
his stomach shut up, Bob ripped
open mark shirt, revealing his back.
209
00:19:19.119 --> 00:19:22.680
Next to him, Bob laid out
a series of syringes, each with a
210
00:19:22.720 --> 00:19:27.960
different sedating drug the Moyeu squirm,
the mo It's gonna hurt. Bob began
211
00:19:29.039 --> 00:19:33.680
to inject different drugs into Mark's back, wanting to see how they would interact
212
00:19:33.720 --> 00:19:41.680
with each other, like a six
science experiment. Eventually, Mark had close
213
00:19:41.759 --> 00:19:45.440
to a dozen syringes in his back
all at once. Bob thought it was
214
00:19:45.519 --> 00:19:55.359
beautiful, good boy, good bye. Between the violently dangerous combination of drugs
215
00:19:55.359 --> 00:19:59.799
in his system and the tight gag, Mark Wallace died later that evening.
216
00:20:00.759 --> 00:20:07.200
Robert Berdella was now a serial killer. He disposed of the body the same
217
00:20:07.240 --> 00:20:11.680
way he did with Jerry's, this
time keeping the skull. Over the next
218
00:20:11.720 --> 00:20:18.119
few years, Bob would continue to
kidnap, torture, and murder young gay
219
00:20:18.200 --> 00:20:22.079
men who were unfortunate enough to meet
him. He often took advantage of gay
220
00:20:22.160 --> 00:20:26.920
transience, offering them a place to
stay temporarily before drugging them and tying them
221
00:20:26.960 --> 00:20:32.559
to his bed. He heavily documented
all of these murders, both in a
222
00:20:32.680 --> 00:20:40.039
journal and through pictures with his Polaroid
camera. Meanwhile, as Bob continued his
223
00:20:40.079 --> 00:20:44.640
House of Horrors and Hyde Park,
twenty two year old Christopher Bryson was getting
224
00:20:44.640 --> 00:20:49.640
ready for a night out in downtown
Kansas City. Chris, Chris, what,
225
00:20:51.000 --> 00:20:55.200
mom, make sure you're back by
sunrise. I'm going to need help
226
00:20:55.200 --> 00:20:57.519
getting this food to church in the
morning. All right, whatever, and
227
00:20:57.559 --> 00:21:03.920
don't get too drunk this time.
Chris's mother thought he was going to the
228
00:21:03.960 --> 00:21:07.440
bar with France, but really he
was heading to the Kansas City bus station.
229
00:21:12.480 --> 00:21:15.119
How are you doing to night?
Fine? How much fifty four?
230
00:21:15.200 --> 00:21:19.240
Suck? One hundred four? Fuck? Nah, I'm good, dude,
231
00:21:19.720 --> 00:21:25.519
Chris solicited men in hopes of making
some extra cash. He was saving up
232
00:21:25.519 --> 00:21:30.240
to get his own place with his
girlfriend, but unfortunately for him, this
233
00:21:30.359 --> 00:21:33.279
happened to be one of the bus
stops that our friend Bob frequented as well,
234
00:21:37.440 --> 00:21:38.880
How are you doing tonight? I'm
good, betty. How are you
235
00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:42.319
doing? I'm doing all right.
How can I help you? There's lots
236
00:21:42.319 --> 00:21:45.400
of ways you can help me.
Why didn't you get in the car and
237
00:21:45.480 --> 00:21:56.960
we can discuss on the way.
So why haven't I seen you around the
238
00:21:57.000 --> 00:22:03.960
bus station? You definitely have a
face I would remember. I'm a little
239
00:22:03.039 --> 00:22:12.640
nude of this. I figured,
don't worry, I'll teach you well Instead.
240
00:22:12.839 --> 00:22:18.079
As they walked through the front door, Bob smashed an iron rod into
241
00:22:18.200 --> 00:22:23.400
Chris's head, a ritual by now. Bob immediately tied Chris to his bed.
242
00:22:23.960 --> 00:22:27.519
He injected drain cleaner into the boy's
throat, just as he had done
243
00:22:27.519 --> 00:22:37.400
with Jerry Howell years before. For
added measure and protection, Bob decided to
244
00:22:37.480 --> 00:22:44.839
rub some ammonia into Chris's eyes.
Yeah. The torture continued well into the
245
00:22:44.960 --> 00:22:51.960
night. During a reprieve, Chris
began to beg to his captor, pree,
246
00:22:53.319 --> 00:22:59.039
why who You did not choose to
be here? But you are?
247
00:23:00.400 --> 00:23:03.119
For you to survive being here,
and for you too, you know,
248
00:23:03.799 --> 00:23:08.839
make it. It could either be
rough or it could be easy. If
249
00:23:08.839 --> 00:23:12.960
I grow to like you and to
trust you. Then I could do special
250
00:23:12.960 --> 00:23:17.759
things for you, such as by
you cigarettes, pick up a movie on
251
00:23:17.799 --> 00:23:21.799
the way home from work, and
so forth. Don't try to fight me.
252
00:23:22.799 --> 00:23:26.799
I'll just get more of what you
had earlier. You see, what
253
00:23:27.000 --> 00:23:34.480
you got is nothing compared to what
you can have. Oh a wroth good
254
00:23:36.240 --> 00:23:41.119
because I've gotten this far with other
people before, and they're dead now cause
255
00:23:41.119 --> 00:23:45.680
of the mistakes they've made. The
torture continued for over three days. Chris
256
00:23:45.759 --> 00:23:49.920
behaved himself, and this time Robert
was a man of his word, allowing
257
00:23:51.000 --> 00:23:53.359
longer rest periods. You've been a
good boy, so I'm going to put
258
00:23:53.400 --> 00:23:57.720
the TV in here for you to
watch. Well, what a saint anyway.
259
00:23:59.160 --> 00:24:02.559
Toward the end of his third day
of capture, Chris asked Bob for
260
00:24:02.599 --> 00:24:07.319
a favor, Master, Please,
can you tie my hands in front of
261
00:24:07.359 --> 00:24:12.319
me and stuff above me. It's
really fucking with my circulation, all right,
262
00:24:12.440 --> 00:24:17.519
boy, but no funny business.
You've earned it. This once,
263
00:24:18.240 --> 00:24:22.319
Bob freed Chris's hands from the headboard, allowing them to rest after days of
264
00:24:22.400 --> 00:24:26.839
being tied to the bed. Later
into the afternoon, Bob left Chris alone
265
00:24:26.880 --> 00:24:30.680
to make dinner, downstairs. Seeing
this as one of his few opportunities,
266
00:24:32.119 --> 00:24:40.680
Chris snatched a pack
of matches from
Bob's nightstand. Come on, Come on.
267
00:24:41.000 --> 00:24:45.680
Eventually, Chris was able to burn
through enough rope to break his arms
268
00:24:45.720 --> 00:24:49.480
free. After untying his legs,
Chris was a free man for now.
269
00:24:49.720 --> 00:24:53.799
Oh my god, Oh my god. Because of the ammonia in his eyes,
270
00:24:55.000 --> 00:24:59.160
Chris couldn't see much around him,
but he could make out faint markings
271
00:24:59.160 --> 00:25:03.079
on one of Bob's walls. What. As Chris got closer, he could
272
00:25:03.079 --> 00:25:08.599
see that the wall was covered in
polaroids. The collage depicted heinous torture of
273
00:25:08.640 --> 00:25:14.359
over half a dozen men. Chris
put two and two together, realizing that
274
00:25:14.400 --> 00:25:18.960
these must have been Bob's other victims. What the fuck. Realizing that Bob
275
00:25:18.039 --> 00:25:22.359
was in the room, Chris grabbed
one of the photos and bolted toward a
276
00:25:22.400 --> 00:25:26.400
nearby window. Having no time to
try and climb out, he leaped and
277
00:25:26.480 --> 00:25:30.400
fell from the second story onto the
ground below, breaking one of his feet
278
00:25:30.480 --> 00:25:40.200
in the process. Oh my god. Fuck. Chris opened his eyes enough
279
00:25:40.240 --> 00:25:44.359
to see his captor staring down at
him with pure evil in his eyes.
280
00:25:45.119 --> 00:25:49.759
He knew it was now or never
to get away. Barely able to get
281
00:25:49.839 --> 00:25:57.759
up, Chris limped into the nearby
tree line. After seeing Bob was trailing
282
00:25:57.839 --> 00:26:03.880
him, Chris picked up speed.
Eventually, as Chris broke through the tree
283
00:26:03.880 --> 00:26:08.079
line, he saw a meter reader
behind an old house. This was Chris's
284
00:26:08.119 --> 00:26:17.200
only help, Jesus Christ, help
me? What police? He's after me?
285
00:26:17.359 --> 00:26:19.920
Who's after you? Bob was the
next to break through the tree line,
286
00:26:21.279 --> 00:26:26.759
stopping in his tracks as he realized
it was all over. Who who
287
00:26:26.799 --> 00:26:32.279
are you? Bob bolted back into
the trees, confusing the meterman even further.
288
00:26:32.720 --> 00:26:36.519
What the hell? He went to
aid the boy walking him toward the
289
00:26:36.519 --> 00:26:42.359
occupant of the house. Mister Duval
called a police. The police arrived soon
290
00:26:42.400 --> 00:26:48.759
after and the questioning began. So
he kept you captive for three days?
291
00:26:48.960 --> 00:26:55.119
Yes, how did you guys meet? I was hitchhiking, he offered me
292
00:26:55.160 --> 00:26:59.359
a ride, and what happened when
he took you? I don't want to
293
00:26:59.400 --> 00:27:02.960
talk about it. Son. We
can't do anything to this guy unless you
294
00:27:02.960 --> 00:27:08.119
give his some concrete testimony of what
he did. I can't. I don't.
295
00:27:08.359 --> 00:27:12.599
Chris was lost and traumatized, feeling
like he wasn't doing enough
to convince
296
00:27:12.640 --> 00:27:18.720
the authorities of his torture. Suddenly
he remembered the photo. He grabbed the
297
00:27:18.799 --> 00:27:22.319
polaroid. He had a wall of
polaroids in his room, and I grabbed
298
00:27:22.359 --> 00:27:26.400
one here. He pulled out the
polaroid and gave it to the detective.
299
00:27:27.200 --> 00:27:32.160
It depicted a boy hung from a
meat hook with blood draining from his body.
300
00:27:32.640 --> 00:27:37.079
That's enough testimony for me, Kansas
City. This is a Detective Wadley
301
00:27:37.680 --> 00:27:42.359
iding back up over in Hyde Park. That evening, Robert Berdella was captured
302
00:27:42.400 --> 00:27:48.160
and charged with kidnapping and torture.
Shortly thereafter, a search warrant was granted
303
00:27:48.200 --> 00:27:52.920
and police were able to take Bob's
polaroid collection and journals. They gave a
304
00:27:52.960 --> 00:27:56.640
detailed account of the torture he had
put his victims through, in addition to
305
00:27:56.759 --> 00:28:02.799
exact locations of where he hid the
remains. This obviously led to further charges.
306
00:28:03.559 --> 00:28:06.759
Bob initially tried to plead not guilty
on the charges of murder to his
307
00:28:06.799 --> 00:28:10.759
other victims, but eventually settled in
a plea bargain in order to avoid the
308
00:28:10.799 --> 00:28:15.359
death penalty. As Bob began his
journey of rotting in prison, the detective
309
00:28:15.400 --> 00:28:18.559
assigned to his case began the task
of tracking the victims back to their families.
310
00:28:21.839 --> 00:28:23.759
Hello, there, how can I
hope you today? Peter Howell stand
311
00:28:23.759 --> 00:28:26.559
at the flea market, had found
quite a bit of success, and he
312
00:28:26.599 --> 00:28:30.440
was eventually able to open his own
storefront. His family was able to live
313
00:28:30.440 --> 00:28:37.000
comfortably in the apartment above, well, most of his family. Are you,
314
00:28:37.039 --> 00:28:38.720
mister Howell? I sure am.
You can call me Peter though.
315
00:28:38.759 --> 00:28:42.440
Good afternoon, Peter. My name
is Detective Walley. I'm with us about
316
00:28:42.519 --> 00:28:48.319
Jerry, isn't it, yes,
mister Howell, Peter, we recently apprehended
317
00:28:48.319 --> 00:28:52.880
a gentleman by the name of Robert
Berdella. There's some mounting evidence, though,
318
00:28:56.200 --> 00:29:00.559
Are you okay? Bob Bardella ran
le Margaret stand next to us.
319
00:29:02.720 --> 00:29:07.480
He was a family friend, mister
Howell. I'm so sorry to have to
320
00:29:07.480 --> 00:29:11.799
ask you this. There was multiple
photos taken from Bridela's home that shows victims.
321
00:29:12.279 --> 00:29:18.000
They're pretty graphic, but it would
be really helpful and it would help
322
00:29:18.079 --> 00:29:22.920
Kansas City PD if you could possibly
identify one of the victims. We think
323
00:29:22.920 --> 00:29:29.680
he may be your son. Oh
God, I don't know if I can
324
00:29:29.759 --> 00:29:34.119
do I don't know if I can
do it, but I know I have
325
00:29:34.240 --> 00:29:41.839
to. It only needs to be
for a quick moment. Okay, The
326
00:29:41.839 --> 00:29:48.319
detective pulled out the same photo Chris
had taken during his escape. Peter immediately
327
00:29:48.359 --> 00:29:51.880
recognized the body on the hook.
Jerry, No, no, no,
328
00:29:51.880 --> 00:29:59.599
no, no, that's my little
boy. Being gay in the nineteen eighties
329
00:29:59.759 --> 00:30:03.440
was difficult and dangerous. It was
a dark span of queer history that is
330
00:30:03.519 --> 00:30:08.799
often overshadowed by the violently destructive AIDS
crisis that was to follow. Our culture
331
00:30:08.839 --> 00:30:12.480
in recent decades has been moving in
the right direction and changing how we view
332
00:30:12.519 --> 00:30:18.640
gay people, but LGBTQ youth continue
to make up a sizeable portion of homeless
333
00:30:18.640 --> 00:30:22.200
people in the United States. These
youth are often at risk of falling into
334
00:30:22.240 --> 00:30:29.039
the care of someone dangerous, someone
like Robert Berdella. I hope in future
335
00:30:29.079 --> 00:30:33.440
decades we as an entire nation embrace
and love our children so that they don't
336
00:30:33.519 --> 00:30:44.119
fall into the embrace of a monster. The Polaroid Project was written by Keelan
337
00:30:44.160 --> 00:30:48.400
Brown, narrated by me Skyler Fasteno, and executive produced by Daniel Jones.
338
00:30:49.119 --> 00:30:55.119
Voice talent was provided by Tamer Perry, Marissipis Stone, Jeremy Staple, Walker,
339
00:30:55.160 --> 00:30:59.759
Barnes, Vince Perez, Daniel Jones, Matt McNelly, Rainy Blake Jordan,
340
00:31:00.400 --> 00:31:03.400
and Alan Anthony Morion. I'm so
glad you could join us for another
341
00:31:03.440 --> 00:31:08.000
episode of the Original Deadtime Stories.
If you enjoyed this episode, let us
342
00:31:08.039 --> 00:31:12.519
know by leaving a five star rating
and review wherever you listen. It helps
343
00:31:12.599 --> 00:31:17.799
us out so much. You can
also check out our Patreon for ad free
344
00:31:17.799 --> 00:31:22.640
episodes, early access to new episodes, merchandise, and much much more.
345
00:31:22.400 --> 00:31:26.960
We are also active on YouTube,
Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. The
346
00:31:27.000 --> 00:31:30.319
links to all of those are in
the episode description. We will be back
347
00:31:30.359 --> 00:31:36.519
in just seven short days with a
Thanksgiving special. Until then, stay safe
348
00:31:36.519 --> 00:31:40.480
out there. I don't want you
to become the next chapter's topic on the
349
00:31:40.519 --> 00:31:56.039
Original Deadtime Stories.