The Binge Crimes: The Crimes of Margo Freshwater

Podcasts · True Crime

The Binge Crimes: The Crimes of Margo Freshwater

144 episodes · 13 with AI analysis

In 1977, a stranger calls Ruth Finley to blackmail her about a secret from her past. The caller escalates to stalking her on the streets, sending terrifying poems in the mail, and threatening her life. The case sets off a years-long manhunt, one of the most expensive and infamous in Wichita history, to catch the man known as The Poet. A serial killer named BTK, with a knack for bad poetry, already had the city on edge. So when Ruth goes to the police, they start to wonder: are The Poet and BTK the same person? The police try to protect Ruth at all costs. At one point stationing officers in the home she shares with her loving husband. Still, The Poet keeps finding ways to get to her. At the dawn of criminal profiling and serial killers, it’ll take a whole new strategy to finally crack this case. And when they do, it opens up bigger, scarier mysteries about the human psyche. Binge all episodes of The Poet, ad-free by subscribing to The Binge. Search and follow The Binge Crimes and The Binge Cases feeds on Apple Podcasts and hit Subscribe, or visit ⁠GetTheBinge.com. From serial killer nurses to psychic scammers – The Binge is your home for true crime stories that pull you in and never let go. New episodes drop on the first of every month. Join our free newsletter for behind-the-scenes details at Patreon.com/TheBinge. The Binge – Feed your true crime obsession. A Sony Music Entertainment production. Find out more about The Binge and other podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts and follow us @sonypodcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

AI Intelligence · across all analyzed episodes

Analyzed Episodes

Nov 17, 2025

Hunting the Bogeyman | 3. The Rollercoaster

Serial sexual assault investigation techniquesDNA evidence collection, preservation, and analysisForensic genealogy and genealogical DNA databases
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Nov 24, 2025

Hunting the Bogeyman | 4. The Arrest

Forensic Genealogy in Criminal InvestigationCold Case Resolution MethodologyDNA Evidence Collection and Chain of Custody
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Dec 1, 2025

Hunting the Bogeyman | 5. Unmasked

Investigative genealogy (FIG) legal admissibility and privacy implicationsDNA evidence in criminal prosecution and convictionSerial rape case investigation and prosecution
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Dec 3, 2025

The Binge Newsletter Is Here: Dive Deeper Into True Crime

True Crime Content StrategyNewsletter Marketing and DistributionPodcast Audience Engagement
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Dec 8, 2025

Hunting the Bogeyman | 6. Answers

Serial rape investigation and DNA evidence linkingVictim credibility and police skepticism in sexual assault casesCriminal psychology and predator methodology development
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Dec 29, 2025

Introducing: The Crimes of Margo Freshwater

Prison escape and evasionCriminal fugitivesLaw enforcement investigation
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Jan 5, 2026

The Crimes of Margo Freshwater | 1. The Breakout

Prison escape and fugitive manhuntsArmed robbery and murder investigationsCriminal accomplice liability law
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Jan 12, 2026

The Crimes of Margo Freshwater | 2. Bad Lead

Prison Escape Methods and ExecutionFBI Fugitive Investigation Procedures (1970s)Family Cooperation in Criminal Investigations
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Jan 19, 2026

The Crimes of Margo Freshwater | 3. Undercover

Undercover Operations and ImpersonationCold Case Investigation TechniquesFugitive Identification and Tracking
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Jan 20, 2026

Craving more of the story? Check out the free newsletter from The Binge

Podcast audience engagement strategiesNewsletter marketing and distributionCommunity platform development
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Jan 26, 2026

The Crimes of Margo Freshwater | 4. Born to Run

Identity Fraud and Document FalsificationFugitive Apprehension ProceduresMulti-State Law Enforcement Coordination
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Feb 2, 2026

The Crimes of Margo Freshwater | 5. Tables, Turned

Brady v. Maryland violations and prosecutorial misconductEvidence suppression in criminal trialsWrongful conviction and exoneration
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Feb 9, 2026

The Crimes of Margo Freshwater | 6. The Reckoning

Post-Conviction Relief ProceduresBrady Violations and Prosecutorial MisconductCoram Nobis Writs
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