Truth and Lies: The Boston Strangler

ABC News

Thirteen victims. An inconclusive investigation. Sixty years later, the story of the Boston Strangler still has a hold on the public imagination. “Truth and Lies: The Boston Strangler” retraces the tragic fate of the victims and explores why a killer’s confession never closed this decades-old case. Last season, “Truth and Lies: The Informant" told the story of an ordinary man who was recruited by the FBI to stop a domestic terror attack. Season 1 covered the rise and fall of the notorious sex offender and financier Jeffrey Epstein and told the stories of women who fought to bring Epstein to justice. read less

Our Editor's Take

Truth and Lies is a popular true crime podcast series. The program comes from ABC News and has featured a variety of scary stories. Listeners who are familiar with the prolific journalism of ABC News know they can expect a quality true crime experience.

In 1962, a heinous crime changed the streets of Boston, Massachusetts forever. Thirteen women died at the hands of the man dubbed "The Boston Strangler." Truth and Lies' third podcast season is an examination of this notorious set of crimes. Initially, the police thought the murders were the work of a man named Albert DeSalvo. However, in recent years, DNA evidence has offered up a new theory about the case.

What did the science uncover about this decades-old crime? The possibility that there was more than one perpetrator is now more likely. While DNA evidence tied DeSalvo to one of the murders, there was no connection to the other crimes. Is another killer still at large after all of these years? How did they manage to evade police detection for so long? These are the fundamental questions that the Truth and Lies podcast explores.

The first season of Truth and Lies profiled the life and death of notorious Jeffrey Epstein. Epstein died under bizarre and mysterious circumstances in 2019 while serving jail time for sex crimes. What really happened here? The second season of Truth and Lies concerns a man whom the FBI asked for help in stopping a terrorist plot. Had the plan been successful, it would have been a mass casualty event. Future seasons should have other compelling true crime stories.

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Play Trailer

Trailer: Introducing 'Truth & Lies: Jeffrey Epstein'

Trailer: Introducing 'Truth & Lies: Jeffrey Epstein'

"Truth & Lies: Jeffrey Epstein" is a co-production of the award-winning ABC News Investigative Unit and ABC Audio, makers of "The Dropout," "A Killing On the Cape," "Have You Seen This Man?," the daily ABC News podcast "Start Here," and more: http://www.abcaudio.com/podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Season 3

Trailer: Introducing "Truth and Lies: The Boston Strangler"

Trailer: Introducing "Truth and Lies: The Boston Strangler"

Sixty years later, the story of the Boston Strangler still has a hold on the public imagination. "Truth and Lies: The Boston Strangler" retraces the tragic fate of the victims and explores why a killer’s confession never closed this decades-old case. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Boston Strangler, E1: The Women

Boston Strangler, E1: The Women

In June 1962, a woman opens the door to a stranger. What happens next will shock the country and haunt the streets of Boston for years to come. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Boston Strangler, E2: The Search

Boston Strangler, E2: The Search

The Boston Strangler's killing spree brings a torrent of pressure on law enforcement. Police try new techniques to catch the killer, but their methods raise questions among the press. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Boston Strangler, E3: The Confession

Boston Strangler, E3: The Confession

When Albert DeSalvo confesses to the murders, it doesn't end the story of the Boston Strangler. Decades later, nearly all of the cases remain open. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Boston Strangler, E4: Director Matt Ruskin

Boston Strangler, E4: Director Matt Ruskin

A conversation with the "Boston Strangler" film writer and director Matt Ruskin about why he chose to reexamine the Stranger story through the lens of two crusading women reporters who covered the crimes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Boston Strangler, E5: A Conversation with Keira Knightley and Carrie Coon

Boston Strangler, E5: A Conversation with Keira Knightley and Carrie Coon

The stars of the new 20th Century Studios' film "Boston Strangler" discuss what drew them to the roles of Loretta McLaughlin and Jean Cole -- the real-life journalists who helped bring the cases to light -- and why the story needed to be retold. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Season 2

Trailer: Introducing 'Truth & Lies: The Informant'

Trailer: Introducing 'Truth & Lies: The Informant'

From ABC Audio comes "Truth and Lies: The Informant," a remarkable story of an ordinary man who risked his life as an FBI informant and thwarted what would've been one of the worst terrorist attacks in U.S. history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Informant, E1: There's No Place Like Home

Informant, E1: There's No Place Like Home

A city in Southwest Kansas becomes an unlikely multicultural mecca. But some people around town aren't comfortable with this kind of change — and they start making it known. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Informant, E2: 'Dangerous Dan'

Informant, E2: 'Dangerous Dan'

In Garden City, members of a newly formed militia keep a close eye on the Muslim community. But little do they know, there's someone surveilling them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Informant, E3: 'Minuteman'

Informant, E3: 'Minuteman'

The militia members begin setting their plans in motion, making Dan Day's work more crucial than ever. But the job begins to take a toll on him. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Informant, E4: 'The Power of The Bromance'

Informant, E4: 'The Power of The Bromance'

The militia members have everything they need to carry out an attack. To slow them down, the FBI brings in an undercover agent who tries to win over the group's leader. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Informant, E5: A Patriot

Informant, E5: A Patriot

The FBI makes the final move to take down the Crusaders, and Dan Day faces the militia members in court. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Season 1

Trailer: Introducing 'Truth & Lies: Jeffrey Epstein'

Trailer: Introducing 'Truth & Lies: Jeffrey Epstein'

"Truth & Lies: Jeffrey Epstein" is a co-production of the award-winning ABC News Investigative Unit and ABC Audio, makers of "The Dropout," "A Killing On the Cape," "Have You Seen This Man?," the daily ABC News podcast "Start Here," and more: http://www.abcaudio.com/podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Epstein, E1: Palm Beach Predator

Epstein, E1: Palm Beach Predator

It's 2005 and police in Palm Beach, Florida discover a mysterious millionaire is abusing underage girls recruited to visit his mansion for massages. How the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein began. "Truth and Lies: Jeffrey Epstein" is a co-production of the award-winning ABC News Investigative Unit and ABC Audio, makers of "The Dropout," "A Killing On the Cape," "Have You Seen This Man?," the daily ABC News podcast "Start Here," and more: http://www.abcaudio.com/podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Epstein, E2: I Tried to Warn You

Epstein, E2: I Tried to Warn You

A woman recalls her allegedly harrowing encounter with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell and wonders how Epstein managed to escape justice after she tried to sound the alarm. "Truth and Lies: Jeffrey Epstein" is a co-production of the award-winning ABC News Investigative Unit and ABC Audio, makers of "The Dropout," "A Killing On the Cape," "Have You Seen This Man?," the daily ABC News podcast "Start Here," and more: http://www.abcaudio.com/podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Epstein, E3: Man of Mystery

Epstein, E3: Man of Mystery

Even after multiple federal law enforcement investigations, Jeffrey Epstein's past remains murky. One thing is certain: His rise to wealth and power seems to defy conventional logic. Editor's Note: An earlier version of this episode attributed interim Dalton headmaster Peter Branch's comments to NPR; in fact, Branch made his comments about Jeffrey Epstein to The New York Times. "Truth and Lies: Jeffrey Epstein" is a co-production of the award-winning ABC News Investigative Unit and ABC Audio, makers of "The Dropout," "A Killing On the Cape," "Have You Seen This Man?," the daily ABC News podcast "Start Here," and more: http://www.abcaudio.com/podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Epstein, E4: Friends in High Places

Epstein, E4: Friends in High Places

The college dropout with little financial pedigree gets close to one of the most successful businessmen in the world, becoming a trusted advisor overseeing his personal fortune. Was this relationship the source of Jeffrey Epstein's mysterious wealth? And did he use this connection to the billionaire's businesses to prey on young women and girls? "Truth and Lies: Jeffrey Epstein" is a co-production of the award-winning ABC News Investigative Unit and ABC Audio, makers of "The Dropout," "A Killing On the Cape," "Have You Seen This Man?," the daily ABC News podcast "Start Here," and more: http://www.abcaudio.com/podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Epstein, E5: The Lady of the House

Epstein, E5: The Lady of the House

Who is Ghislaine Maxwell, the Oxford-educated socialite who once jet-setted around the world with Jeffrey Epstein? His girlfriend? His confidant? Or was it something more nefarious? Was this charming, elegant woman an accomplice to crimes he committed against girls and young women? "Truth and Lies: Jeffrey Epstein" is a co-production of the award-winning ABC News Investigative Unit and ABC Audio, makers of "The Dropout," "A Killing On the Cape," "Have You Seen This Man?," the daily ABC News podcast "Start Here," and more: http://www.abcaudio.com/podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Epstein, E6: Zorro Ranch

Epstein, E6: Zorro Ranch

As Jeffrey Epstein continues to build a financial empire, he ventures West, buying a massive piece of property outside Santa Fe, New Mexico. It's a private cattle ranch -- set in desolate, untouched land -- and rumors would fly among locals as to just what was going on at the compound known as Zorro Ranch. Epstein's wealth may have been growing, but so was the scale of his alleged abuse -- this time, involving a 16-year-old girl who says she was lured to the ranch by Epstein under the guise of a student trip. When she arrived, she was the only student there. "Truth and Lies: Jeffrey Epstein" is a co-production of the award-winning ABC News Investigative Unit and ABC Audio, makers of "The Dropout," "A Killing On the Cape," "Have You Seen This Man?," the daily ABC News podcast "Start Here," and more: http://www.abcaudio.com/podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Epstein, E7: Little St. Jeff

Epstein, E7: Little St. Jeff

Jeffrey Epstein further expands his real estate empire with arguably his most extravagant purchase, a private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands called Little St. James, that he dubbed "Little St. Jeff." A contractor who did a lot of work on the island says he witnessed things he found terribly unsettling, including young-looking girls sunbathing on the beaches. And it was in this seemingly idyllic paradise where one woman alleges she had a terrifying encounter with Epstein that would forever change her life. "Truth and Lies: Jeffrey Epstein" is a co-production of the award-winning ABC News Investigative Unit and ABC Audio, makers of "The Dropout," "A Killing On the Cape," "Have You Seen This Man?," the daily ABC News podcast "Start Here," and more: http://www.abcaudio.com/podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices