บทถอดความฉบับเต็มของ Chapter 48: The Polaroid Project (Rebroadcast)

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.