
Morbid Instinct
The Heart of Geek - Elaine Willey
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Top 10 Morbid Instinct Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Morbid Instinct episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Morbid Instinct for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Morbid Instinct episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

East Harlem Serial Killer
Morbid Instinct
08/17/24 • 28 min
Summary
In this episode of Morbid Instinct, the hosts discuss the Netflix docu-series 'Homicide New York' and focus on episode five, which covers the East Harlem Serial Killer, Arohn Kee. They discuss the crimes committed by Kee, including the rape and murder of several young women. They also explore the timeline of his crimes and his ultimate capture through DNA evidence. The hosts discuss the brutality of Kee's actions and the lack of empathy he displayed towards his victims. They also touch on the role of the media and the issue of race in the case. The conversation revolves around the topic of criminal investigations and the tactics used by law enforcement. The hosts discuss the importance of focusing on evidence and DNA in solving cases, as well as the dangers of coercive interrogation techniques. They also touch on the issue of bias in investigations, highlighting cases where individuals were wrongly convicted due to prejudice. The conversation concludes with a reflection on the emotional toll of working in law enforcement and the satisfaction of seeing justice served.
Takeaways
- Arohn Kee, the East Harlem Serial Killer, committed a series of brutal rapes and murders in the 1990s.
- Key showed a complete lack of empathy towards his victims and started his crimes at a young age.
- DNA evidence played a crucial role in Kee's capture and conviction.
- The media often sensationalizes cases and brings up issues of race, even when they may not be relevant.
- Serial killers are predominantly white males, but their race should not overshadow the severity of their crimes. Focusing on evidence and DNA is crucial in solving criminal cases.
- Coercive interrogation techniques can lead to false confessions.
- Bias in investigations can result in wrongful convictions.
- Working in law enforcement takes an emotional toll, but seeing justice served can be rewarding.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the East Harlem Serial Killer
01:00 The Crimes of Arohn Kee
06:36 Brutality and Lack of Empathy
09:08 The Role of DNA Evidence
10:10 Detective Bob Mooney and Spanish-speaking Investigators
13:17 Media Sensationalism and Race
13:53 The Demographics of Serial Killers
14:03 The Importance of Evidence and DNA
15:01 The Dangers of Coercive Interrogation
19:36 The Emotional Toll of Law Enforcement
21:20 Finding Satisfaction in Justice

Carnegie Deli Massacre
Morbid Instinct
06/22/24 • 31 min
In this episode, Elaine, Jeremy, Josh, and Colette discuss the Netflix docu-series 'Homicide New York' and focus on the Carnegie Deli Massacre. They provide details about the crime, including the victims and the events leading up to the murders. The conversation highlights the senselessness of the crime and the impact it had on the survivors. The hosts also discuss the lack of remorse shown by the perpetrators and the lasting trauma experienced by the survivors. They express their disbelief at the extreme violence over a robbery and the tragic loss of innocent lives.
Takeaways
- The Carnegie Deli Massacre was a senseless crime that resulted in the deaths of three people and the injury of two others.
- The crime was motivated by robbery, but the perpetrators showed no remorse for their actions.
- The survivors of the massacre experienced lasting trauma and struggled with survivor's guilt.
- The crime highlights the dangers of drug dealing and the potential for violence in criminal activities.
- The case was relatively straightforward, with the perpetrators being identified through witness testimony and surveillance footage.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Netflix Docu-series 'Homicide New York'
06:35 Details of the Crime and the Victims
12:17 The Lack of Remorse from the Perpetrators
24:07 The Lasting Trauma and Survivor's Guilt
28:11 Closing Remarks and Preview of the Next Episode

The Phoenix Serial Shooter
Morbid Instinct
09/14/24 • 31 min
The conversation revolves around the Netflix docuseries Catching Killers Season Two, specifically the second episode titled 'Thrill Kills: The Phoenix Serial Shooter.' The hosts discuss the case of a series of random shootings that occurred in the Phoenix metropolitan area between May 2005 and August 2006. They explore the fear and randomness of the attacks, the number of victims, and the eventual capture of the perpetrators. The conversation also touches on the investigation process, including surveillance and the use of evidence to build a case against the suspects. In this conversation, the hosts discuss the Phoenix Serial Shootings case and the motivations behind the crimes. They speculate on why the perpetrators threw away evidence and the possibility that they didn't think they would be implicated. The hosts also explore the ease with which the crimes were committed, as the shooters were in a vehicle and far away from their victims. They discuss the cowardice of the shooters and their lack of concern for the lives they took. The conversation concludes with a reflection on the senselessness of the crimes and the lack of a clear motive.
Takeaways
- The Phoenix Serial Shooter case involved a series of random shootings in the Phoenix metropolitan area between May 2005 and August 2006.
- The attacks instilled fear in the community as anyone could be a potential victim while going about their daily activities.
- The investigation involved surveillance and the use of evidence, such as witness statements and maps found in the suspects' trash, to build a case against the perpetrators.
- The capture of the suspects brought relief to the community and prevented further harm to innocent individuals. The perpetrators of the Phoenix Serial Shootings case threw away evidence, possibly to avoid implicating themselves, but it is unclear why they did so.
- The crimes were relatively easy for the shooters, as they were in a vehicle and far away from their victims, making it difficult for the victims to identify them.
- The shooters displayed cowardice by not wanting to be seen or get their hands dirty, and they showed a lack of concern for the lives they took.
- The crimes were senseless and lacked a clear motive, leaving the hosts and listeners puzzled as to why the shooters targeted innocent people.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Phoenix Serial Shooter Case
06:42 Surveillance and Evidence Collection
13:52 Breaking the Perpetrators and Capturing Them
16:11 The Mystery of the Thrown Away Evidence
23:48 The Senselessness of the Crimes

Murder to Mercy: The Cyntoia Brown Story
Morbid Instinct
04/19/21 • 34 min
Tonight, Elaine, Jeremy, Josh, and Colette discuss the Netflix documentary of Cyntoia Brown. Convicted of murder at 16, Cyntoia was granted clemency after serving 15 years in prison. Was justice served? Listen in to hear our thoughts.--- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Midtown Slasher
Morbid Instinct
08/03/24 • 32 min
In this conversation, the hosts discuss the fourth episode of the docu-series 'Homicide New York' titled 'Midtown Slasher.' They explore the case of Howard Pilmer, an office manager who was stabbed to death in his office. The hosts discuss the investigation, the suspects, and the motives behind the crime. They also touch on the topic of gender bias in criminal investigations and the changing perception of women as perpetrators of violent crimes. The conversation highlights the importance of surveillance and DNA evidence in solving crimes and the challenges faced by serial killers in the modern era. In this part of the conversation, the hosts discuss the suspicious behavior of the wife and brother in the Howard Pilmer murder case. They highlight the quick actions taken by the wife, such as selling the company and cashing in on life insurance, as well as the unusual behavior of the wife on the day of the murder. They also express sympathy for Howard Pilmer's father, who lost both his son and grandson. The hosts discuss the manipulation and lack of remorse shown by the wife and brother, and the importance of rational thought and accountability in such cases.
Takeaways
- The case of Howard Pilmer highlights the importance of surveillance and DNA evidence in solving crimes.
- Gender bias can influence criminal investigations, with women often being overlooked as suspects.
- Serial killers face significant challenges in the modern era due to increased surveillance and technological advancements.
- The hosts discuss the changing perception of women as perpetrators of violent crimes.
- The hosts emphasize the need to avoid glorifying criminals and focus on the victims and their families. The wife's quick actions, such as selling the company and cashing in on life insurance, were suspicious and indicated a lack of remorse.
- The wife's unusual behavior on the day of the murder raised further suspicions.
- Sympathy is expressed for Howard Pilmer's father, who lost both his son and grandson.
- Manipulation and lack of remorse were evident in the wife and brother's actions.
- Rational thought and accountability are important factors to consider in such cases.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage
02:22 The Case of Howard Pilmer: A Stabbing in the Office
03:15 The Personal Nature of the Crime
06:44 Gender Bias in Criminal Investigations
09:15 Manipulation and Female Perpetrators
11:03 The Wife as a Suspect
13:46 The Challenges Faced by Serial Killers in the Modern Era
16:33 The Importance of Surveillance and DNA Evidence
19:25 Unusual Behavior on the Day of the Murder
23:02 Sympathy for Howard Pilmer's Father
26:14 Manipulation and Lack of Remorse
29:46 The Importance of Rational Thought and Accountability

Body Count: The Green River Killer
Morbid Instinct
07/27/23 • 41 min
In this episode, the hosts discuss the first episode of the documentary series 'Catching Killers' which focuses on the Green River Killer. They explore topics such as the killer's narcissistic tendencies, the emotional impact on investigators, advancements in forensic technology, and the difficulty of catching serial killers. They also discuss the killer's personal life, motivation, and lack of conscience. The hosts reflect on the challenges of passing polygraph tests and the inevitability of serial killers getting caught. Overall, the episode provides insights into the mindset and actions of serial killers and the efforts to bring them to justice. In this conversation, the hosts discuss plea bargains and the death penalty, expressing frustration with the use of plea bargains in cases like that of Gary Ridgway. They debate the ethics of the death penalty and the use of tax dollars to support convicted criminals. The conditions in American prisons are also discussed, with comparisons to prisons in other countries. The career of Detective Dave Reichert, the lead investigator in the Green River Killer case, is highlighted. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the challenges of solving serial killer cases and the importance of recognizing the victims.
Takeaways
- Serial killers often exhibit narcissistic tendencies and lack empathy for their victims.
- The emotional impact on investigators can be significant, and they may feel guilt for not catching the killer sooner.
- Advancements in forensic technology, such as DNA testing, have made it easier to catch serial killers.
- Serial killers often manipulate and deceive others, including law enforcement and their partners.
- Passing a polygraph test does not necessarily indicate innocence, as serial killers can lie convincingly and lack emotional responses.
- Serial killers often push the limits of their crimes, testing how much they can get away with before getting caught. Plea bargains and the death penalty are topics of debate, with differing opinions on their use in criminal cases.
- Conditions in American prisons are discussed, with concerns raised about the use of tax dollars to support convicted criminals.
- The career of Detective Dave Reichert, the lead investigator in the Green River Killer case, is highlighted.
- The challenges of solving serial killer cases and the importance of recognizing the victims are emphasized.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Change of Topic
01:00 Background of the Green River Killer
02:01 Discussion on Serial Killers' Narcissistic Tendencies
03:18 The Witness and the Investigation
04:21 Confusion and Correction
05:09 Discussion on Serial Killers' Choice of Victims
06:06 Personal Connection to the Cases
07:04 The Number of Victims and Emotional Impact on Investigators
08:16 Advancements in Forensic Technology
09:19 The Guilt of Law Enforcement
10:05 Serial Killers' Justification and Lack of Empathy
11:06 Serial Killers' Relationships and Manipulation
12:23 Emotional Impact on Investigators
13:10 The Difficulty of Catching Serial Killers
14:01 The High Body Count and Unidentified Victims
17:01 Discussion on the Killer's Personal Life
18:01 The Killer's Motivation and Lack of Conscience
19:00 The Killer's Arrests and DNA Evidence
20:12 The Difficulty of Passing Polygraph Tests
21:23 Serial Killers' Manipulation and Testing Limits
23:20 Serial Killers' Lack of Emotion and Guilt
25:45 The Inevitability of Serial Killers Getting Caught
26:40 Discussion on Plea Bargains and Death Penalty
27:11 The Case of Gary Ridgway
28:08 Debate on Death Penalty and Tax Dollars
29:27 Conditions in American Prisons
30:19 Career of Detective Dave Reichert
32:46 Challenges of Solving Serial Killer Cases
33:13 Recognition of the Victims
36:23 Discussion on Naming the Perpetrator
38:09 Method of Strangulation
40:20 Conclusion and Preview of Next Episode

True Lies: The Happy Face Killer
Morbid Instinct
08/24/23 • 36 min
In this episode, the hosts discuss the Netflix series 'Catching Killers' and focus on the case of the Happy Face Killer. They explore the twists and turns of the investigation, including Laverne's changing stories and her eventual confession. They also discuss the flaws in the justice system, the power dynamics between police and suspects, and the impact of false confessions. The hosts delve into the childhood and early signs of violence in Keith Jesperson, the Happy Face Killer, and discuss his confessions and additional convictions. They also highlight the wrongful conviction of John Sosnowski and Laverne Pavlenac. In this episode, the hosts discuss the show 'Catching Killers' and its focus on killers who confess to their crimes. They highlight the fact that the show's title is somewhat misleading, as the killers in this particular episode were not caught but rather confessed. The hosts also praise the show for its detailed and informative storytelling, providing a comprehensive description of the crimes. They appreciate the real and conversational approach of the interviews with people involved in the cases. The episode concludes with a preview of the next season and a discussion on the link between cases.
Takeaways
- False confessions can occur due to coercive tactics and the desire to please authority figures.
- The justice system is not infallible, and wrongful convictions can occur due to flawed investigations and biased beliefs.
- Early signs of violence and cruelty towards animals can be indicators of future criminal behavior.
- The power dynamics between police and suspects can lead to abuses of power and wrongful convictions.
- The pursuit of justice requires persistence, open-mindedness, and a commitment to finding the truth.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the episode
00:58 Discussion of the episode and initial twists
01:40 Focus on the case of Tanya Bennett
02:16 The detective's reaction and Laverne's changing stories
03:13 Implication of Laverne and John in the murder
04:37 Laverne's changing stories and implicating herself
05:34 Laverne leading the police to the body
06:00 John's arrest and the plea deal
06:50 John's conflicting statements and the detective's belief in Laverne
07:44 The district attorney's refusal to accept new evidence
08:59 The detective's persistence and Laverne's confession
09:57 The impact of false confessions and coercive tactics
11:22 The flaws in the justice system and the power dynamics between police and suspects
13:31 Introduction of Keith Jesperson and his confessions
14:19 Keith Jesperson's letters and the nickname 'Happy Face Killer'
18:00 Keith Jesperson's childhood and early signs of violence
19:29 Keith Jesperson's victims and his confessions
22:08 Keith Jesperson's suicide attempts and additional convictions
25:35 John Sosnowski and Laverne Pavlenac's wrongful conviction
27:23 Confessing Killers
28:13 Detailed and Informative
30:41 Real and Conversational
31:31 Emotional Impact
32:00 Life Sentence
33:01 Season Two Preview
34:23 Link Between Cases

The Sons of Sam: A Decent into Darkness
Morbid Instinct
11/08/21 • 46 min
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

American Murder: The Family Next Door
Morbid Instinct
08/23/21 • 35 min
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Central Park Slaying
Morbid Instinct
07/06/24 • 38 min
In this episode of Morbid Instinct, the hosts discuss the brutal murder of Michael McMorrow in Central Park. The victim was stabbed over 40 times, had his throat slashed, and was disemboweled. The shocking part is that the suspects were both 15 years old. The hosts delve into the details of the crime, the suspects' backgrounds, and the disturbing mindset behind the murder. They express their disbelief at the lenient sentences the perpetrators received and question the justice system's handling of such cases. The hosts also share personal stories and draw parallels to other similar crimes. The episode ends with a preview of the next installment, 'Vanished on Wall Street.'
Takeaways
- The murder of Michael McMorrow in Central Park was a brutal and shocking crime, with the victim being stabbed over 40 times, having his throat slashed, and being disemboweled.
- The fact that the suspects were both 15 years old raises questions about the capacity for such extreme violence at such a young age.
- The lenient sentences given to the perpetrators highlight flaws in the justice system and raise concerns about the treatment of juvenile offenders.
- The hosts discuss the disturbing mindset of the perpetrators and the lack of remorse shown by one of them.
- Personal stories and comparisons to other crimes add depth and context to the discussion.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
02:59 Disturbingly Young Suspects
11:25 Lenient Sentences and the Justice System
28:45 Personal Stories and Comparisons
34:19 Preview of Next Episode
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FAQ
How many episodes does Morbid Instinct have?
Morbid Instinct currently has 25 episodes available.
What topics does Morbid Instinct cover?
The podcast is about True Crime and Podcasts.
What is the most popular episode on Morbid Instinct?
The episode title 'American Murder: The Family Next Door' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Morbid Instinct?
The average episode length on Morbid Instinct is 46 minutes.
How often are episodes of Morbid Instinct released?
Episodes of Morbid Instinct are typically released every 20 days, 21 hours.
When was the first episode of Morbid Instinct?
The first episode of Morbid Instinct was released on Feb 22, 2021.
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