If you are a true crime fan, then you must have heard of the Sword and Scale podcast. It is one of the most popular true crime podcasts out there, and for a good reason. The podcast has been around since 2013 and has covered some of the most bizarre and gruesome crimes. If you are new to the podcast, you might be wondering where to start. That’s why we have put together a list of Sword and Scale best episodes.
1. Episode 1: A Monster Among Us
The first episode of Sword and Scale is a must-listen. In this episode, the host Mike Boudet tells the story of the “Burger Chef Murders.” This crime happened in 1978 in Indiana and remains unsolved to this day. The way Boudet tells the story will send shivers down your spine.
2. Episode 20: The Devil’s in the Details
In this episode, Boudet tells the story of a man named Israel Keyes. Keyes was a serial killer who committed murders all over the country. What makes this episode so fascinating is the fact that Keyes was very calculated and planned his murders meticulously. Boudet does an excellent job of painting a picture of who Keyes was and how he operated.
3. Episode 23: The Sideshow
“The Sideshow” is the perfect example of Sword and Scale at its best. Boudet tells the story of a man named Jerome Brudos, who was a serial killer and necrophiliac. Brudos committed his crimes in the late 1960s, and Boudet uses audio clips from Brudos’ interviews to give listeners an insight into his twisted mind.
4. Episode 62: The Senseless Murder of Kelsey Grammer’s Sister
In this episode, Boudet tells the tragic story of the murder of Karen Grammer, the sister of actor Kelsey Grammer. Karen was just 18 years old when she was raped and murdered by Freddie Glenn. Glenn was sentenced to death for the crime, but the episode explores the impact the murder had on the Grammer family.
5. Episode 79: Family Annihilators
This episode of Sword and Scale focuses on family annihilators, people who kill their entire family. Boudet tells the stories of several cases, including the Watts family murders and the case of Ronald Gene Simmons, who killed 16 members of his family. The episode is a chilling reminder that sometimes the people we should trust the most are the ones who can hurt us the most.
6. Episode 102: The Monster of Miramichi
“The Monster of Miramichi” is the story of Allan Legere, a serial killer who terrorized a small town in New Brunswick, Canada, in the late 1980s. Legere was known for his brutality, and the episode explores how he was able to evade the police for so long.
7. Episode 118: The Depraved Heart
This episode tells the story of a man named Joseph Oberhansley, who killed and ate parts of his girlfriend. The episode explores Oberhansley’s mental state and how his upbringing may have contributed to his crimes.
8. Episode 127: The Killing of Officer Dragon
This episode tells the tragic story of Officer Jeffery Dragon, who was killed in the line of duty. The episode explores the impact the murder had on Dragon’s family and the community as a whole.
9. Episode 140: Toy Box Killer
“The Toy Box Killer” is one of the most disturbing episodes of Sword and Scale. The episode tells the story of David Parker Ray, who built a soundproof torture chamber in his trailer home. Ray kidnapped and tortured women in the chamber, and the episode uses audio clips from Ray’s recordings to give listeners an insight into his sick and twisted mind.
Episode 151: The Menendez Brothers
“The Menendez Brothers” episode tells the story of Lyle and Erik Menendez, who were convicted of murdering their parents in 1989. The episode explores the events leading up to the murders and the controversial trial that followed.
Episode 156: The Happy Face Killer
“The Happy Face Killer” is the story of Keith Jesperson, a truck driver who killed at least eight women in the early 1990s. Jesperson was known for leaving smiley faces at the scenes of his crimes, hence the nickname. The episode explores Jesperson’s background and the investigation that led to his arrest.
Episode 160: The Death of Elisa Lam
“The Death of Elisa Lam” is a case that has captivated the true crime community since it happened in 2013. Lam was a Canadian student who was found dead in the water tank on the roof of the Cecil Hotel in Los Angeles. The episode explores the bizarre circumstances surrounding Lam’s death and the many theories that have been put forward to explain what happened.
Episode 169: The Jamison Family
“The Jamison Family” episode tells the story of the disappearance of the Jamison family in Oklahoma in 2009. Bobby, Sherilynn, and their daughter Madyson disappeared without a trace, and their bodies were found four years later. The episode explores the mysterious circumstances surrounding the family’s disappearance and the many theories that have been put forward to explain what happened.
Episode 171: The Mysterious Death of Kendrick Johnson
“The Mysterious Death of Kendrick Johnson” is the story of a high school student who was found dead inside a rolled-up gym mat in his school in Valdosta, Georgia, in 2013. The episode explores the many questions surrounding Kendrick’s death and the many controversies that have arisen in the years since.
Episode 180: The Murder of Julie Stanton
“The Murder of Julie Stanton” is the story of a woman who was brutally murdered in her home in 2013. The episode explores the investigation that led to the arrest and conviction of her killer, as well as the impact the murder had on her family and community.
These are just a few of the best episodes of Sword and Scale, but there are many more to explore. One thing that sets Sword and Scale apart from other true crime podcasts is the way the host, Mike Boudet, tells the stories. He doesn’t hold back when it comes to the graphic details, and he uses audio clips and interviews to give listeners an insight into the minds of the criminals. If you’re a true crime fan, then Sword and Scale is definitely worth checking out.
