Blood, Sweat, and Fear: The Story of Inspector Vance

On April 13, 1933 19-year-old Stewart Ashley went to work out at the YMCA in downtown Vancouver. He didn’t come home. A short time later, a ransom note arrived. It said: “Get $5,000 by April 20 or your son will die.”

This podcast is based on original research from a story in my book Blood, Sweat, and Fear: The Story of Inspector Vance.

For show credits, sources, and information about my books, blog or podcast, please see evelazarus.com

In January 1943, Victoria, British Columbia was experiencing the coldest weather in more than 30 years. Fifteen-year-old Molly Justice took the bus from her job on Government Street and got off near her Saanich home. Her body was found a few hours later lying face down in the snow. She had been stabbed more than 20 times and hit on the head with a rock. What followed was one of the most seriously botched police investigations of the century.

This podcast is based on original research from a chapter in my book Blood, Sweat, and Fear: The Story of Inspector Vance.

For show credits, sources, and information about my books, blog or podcast, please see evelazarus.com

On February 26, 1947, Vancouver police officers Charles Boyes and Oliver Ledingham were murdered in a shootout at False Creek Flats. Inspector Vance was called in to handle the ballistics and ultimately determine whether a 17- year-old would live or die.

This podcast is based on original research from a chapter in my book Blood, Sweat, and Fear: The Story of Inspector Vance.

Between 1912 and 1987, 16 Vancouver police officers have been killed in the line of duty.

Cover Image: False Creek Flats, 1954. Vancouver Sun photo

For show credits, sources, and information about my true crime books, blog or podcast, please visit evelazarus.com

By the 1930s, Inspector Vance had become a familiar face at crime scenes and was often called to testify in court because of his knowledge of forensics. In fact, his skills and analytic abilities were so effective that in 1934 there were seven attempts on his life—including a car bomb—and for a time he and his family were under constant police guard from criminals afraid to go up against him in court.

This podcast is based on original research from a chapter in my book Blood, Sweat, and Fear: The Story of Inspector Vance.

For show credits, sources, and information about my books, blog or podcast, please see evelazarus.com

Inspector Vance is called to a crime scene at Merritt, B.C. in 1934. Two police officers are missing, believed murdered and the investigation focuses in on an abandoned Model B Ford and members of the Canford Indian Band.

This podcast is based on original research from a chapter in my book Blood, Sweat, and Fear: The Story of Inspector Vance.

Image: Crime scene photo of the wrecked Model B Ford just below the Merritt-Spence’s Bridge Road. From the personal files of the Vancouver Police Department's Inspector John Vance.

For show credits, sources, and information about my true crime books, blog or podcast, please visit evelazarus.com