Episode 549: The Lipstick Killer (Part 2)

In this episode of "Murder, Mystery & Makeup", host Bailey Sarian takes us on a captivating journey through time, unraveling the haze that surrounds the infamous figure – Jack the Ripper. In a unique blend of true-crime storytelling and makeup application, Sarian expertly navigates the gritty details of the Ripper's heinous crimes, with a special focus on his last known victim, Mary Jane Kelly. By shedding light on Kelly's tragic life and death, amidst her riveting makeover, Sarian redefines the true crime genre and presents a fresh perspective on one of history's most notorious serial killers.

Sarian not only delves into the complexity of this unsolved mystery, exploring various theories and suspects, but also highlights the challenges of the Victorian-era investigation, caused by the technology limitations at the time. This thoughtful analysis is rounded off by a compelling comparison to modern crime rates and techniques, including a discussion on the modern-day criminal, Derek Brown, who emulated Jack the Ripper, yet was ultimately caught. With this introspective look at crime past and present, Sarian's podcast not only entertains but makes for a thoughtful reflection on society's dark underbelly.

Dive into the murky depths of the Gilgo Beach murder case with Robert Kolker, guided by the compelling narration of Robert Petkoff in "The Daily". Together, they shed light on a startling narrative that began with a chilling find in Long Island, transforming into a tale of over a decade of mysteries and dead ends. As an esteemed journalist, Kolker offers a riveting examination of a case that seemed poised for a quick solve but soon expanded into a complex web of up to 11 potential victims and a botched hunt that rattled New York City.

The case's progress was marred by barriers ranging from societal biases to law enforcement mishaps. Kolker's "Lost Girls" played a pivotal role in changing perceptions and reigniting interest in the cold case, drawing attention to the victims' humanity against a backdrop of official negligence. As the podcast unravels, we learn about the entrenchment of corruption within Suffolk County's police force, the missed technological opportunities, and the transformation toward modern strategies such as genetic genealogy, that rekindled hopes for justice. "The Daily" invites its audience to scrutinize law enforcement's actions, highlighting the wider implications for Suffolk County's judiciary through the lens of this disconcerting case and the arresting of Rex Heuermann, a suspect whose connection to the murders unlocked through DNA evidence signifies a potential turn towards resolution.

Over a half-century after the civil rights movement sought justice for African Americans, prominent movements such as Black Lives Matter continue fighting to expose and resist injustice. In this social landscape, Bryan Stevenson’s message is timely: The US justice system consistently denies justice to society’s most vulnerable members.

In his 2014 book, Just Mercy, Stevenson examines the justice system’s pervasive failures toward marginalized populations, especially Black Americans. To illustrate these failures, Stevenson discusses numerous criminal cases, most prominently the 1989 case of Walter McMillian, a Black man wrongly convicted of murder and sentenced to death in Alabama.

In this guide, we’ll discuss Stevenson’s analysis of the McMillian case and his evidence of extreme punishments doled out more broadly by the justice system. Moreover, we’ll consider Stevenson’s diagnosis of the root problems with the American conception of justice and his suggestions for repairing it. We’ll also examine arguments from other sources about how to improve the justice system and provide further context for the cases that Stevenson cites.

Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI is about the Osage Reign of Terror—the 1920s organized killings of members of the oil-rich Osage Indians. Powerful and bigoted whites systematically exploited and murdered the Osage people to expropriate their wealth, showing us the horrors that result when racism and greed align. The murders were also a major catalyst for the growth of the FBI, and the triumph of its rational and scientific vision of law enforcement—and a shift away from the era of frontier justice, corrupt and incompetent local sheriffs, and rogue “lawmen.”

In 1985, a 68-year-old woman was assaulted and murdered in Beatrice, Nebraska. Five people confessed, but 19 years later, they were exonerated. Still, some can’t shake the memories implanted in their minds and still wonder if they’re truly innocent.

Dive into the gripping world of true crime with Bailey Sarian in "Murder, Mystery & Makeup," where makeup artistry meets bone-chilling narratives. In this compelling episode, Sarian illuminates the haunting case of Lonnie Franklin Jr., also known as the Grim Sleeper, who evaded justice for decades despite the turmoil sown by his heinous acts. As Bailey shifts her content to a biweekly Monday release, she beckons her audience to join her in exploring darker histories, embedding her personal reflections within the grim recounting of Franklin's reign of terror.

Bailey Sarian's storytelling is as intricate as it is impactful, drawing attention to the societal backdrop of 1970s and 80s Los Angeles that incubated such brutality. She articulates the systemic failures and police negligence that allowed the Grim Sleeper to cast a long, dark shadow over a city already grappling with the crisis of crack cocaine and economic decline. Through Sarian's narration, escapees' harrowing tales merge with community advocacy, culminating in the eventual conviction of Franklin. But with many questions left unanswered and untold victims yet unrecognized, Sarian closes reflectively, urging us to stay vigilant, while paying homage to those scarred by these tragedies.

Over a half-century after the civil rights movement sought justice for African Americans, prominent movements such as Black Lives Matter continue fighting to expose and resist injustice. In this social landscape, Bryan Stevenson’s message is timely: The US justice system consistently denies justice to society’s most vulnerable members.

In his 2014 book, Just Mercy, Stevenson examines the justice system’s pervasive failures toward marginalized populations, especially Black Americans. To illustrate these failures, Stevenson discusses numerous criminal cases, most prominently the 1989 case of Walter McMillian, a Black man wrongly convicted of murder and sentenced to death in Alabama.

In this guide, we’ll discuss Stevenson’s analysis of the McMillian case and his evidence of extreme punishments doled out more broadly by the justice system. Moreover, we’ll consider Stevenson’s diagnosis of the root problems with the American conception of justice and his suggestions for repairing it. We’ll also examine arguments from other sources about how to improve the justice system and provide further context for the cases that Stevenson cites.