Killer Psyche-logo

Killer Psyche

Wondery

When a shocking crime occurs, people ask “Why?” Was it about power, ego, or revenge? On Killer Psyche, retired FBI agent Candice DeLong draws on her decades of experience to reveal why these murderers and criminals committed these heinous acts. She will reveal fascinating new details about what drove these people, including cases she was close to. Candice will share specific psychological methods and profiling techniques that experts use to understand the deepest part of the most complex, fascinating, and twisted minds, from the Unabomber to Alex Murdaugh to Mary Bell. Need more Killer Psyche? With Wondery+, enjoy exclusive episodes, early access to new ones, and they’re always ad-free. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting http://link.wondery.com/KillerPsycheLinks now.

Location:

United States

Genres:

True Crime

Networks:

Wondery

Description:

When a shocking crime occurs, people ask “Why?” Was it about power, ego, or revenge? On Killer Psyche, retired FBI agent Candice DeLong draws on her decades of experience to reveal why these murderers and criminals committed these heinous acts. She will reveal fascinating new details about what drove these people, including cases she was close to. Candice will share specific psychological methods and profiling techniques that experts use to understand the deepest part of the most complex, fascinating, and twisted minds, from the Unabomber to Alex Murdaugh to Mary Bell. Need more Killer Psyche? With Wondery+, enjoy exclusive episodes, early access to new ones, and they’re always ad-free. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting http://link.wondery.com/KillerPsycheLinks now.

Language:

English


Episodes
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Andrea Yates: The Murder of Five Angels

7/1/2025
Retired FBI agent and criminal profiler Candice DeLong delves into the heartbreaking case of Andrea Yates. On a summer morning in 2001, inside the quiet Houston home she shared with her family, Andrea systematically drowned her five young children in the bathtub. Candice examines how untreated postpartum psychosis, religious delusions and years of mental health warnings culminated in this unimaginable act. She explores how a devoted mother became the architect of a tragedy that shocked the nation; and, how systemic failures left Andrea teetering on the edge until it was far too late. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter Need more Killer Psyche? With Wondery+, enjoy exclusive episodes, early access to new ones, and they’re always ad-free. Start your free trial in the Wondery App or visit wondery.app.link/TI5l5KzpDLb now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Duration:00:56:28

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Gertrude Baniszewski: The "Torture Mom"

6/24/2025
Retired FBI agent and criminal profiler Candice DeLong explores the chilling case of Gertrude Baniszewski. In the fall of 1965, behind the walls of her modest Indiana home, Gertrude masterminded the systematic torture and murder of teenage Sylvia Likens – encouraging her own children and neighborhood kids to join in the abuse. Candice investigates how Gertrude’s simmering resentment and deep-seated rage transformed her into the mastermind behind one of the most disturbing group crimes ever committed, and how the unthinkable violence against Sylvia went unchecked. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter Need more Killer Psyche? With Wondery+, enjoy exclusive episodes, early access to new ones, and they’re always ad-free. Start your free trial in the Wondery App or visit wondery.app.link/TI5l5KzpDLb now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Duration:00:48:13

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Listen Now: Liberty Lost

6/23/2025
In Evangelical homes across the United States, sex outside of marriage is a sin against God. So, when Abbi becomes pregnant at 16, her devout parents hide her away at the Liberty Godparent Home, a little-known facility for pregnant teens on the campus of Liberty University. The Home says it helps girls decide what comes next – whether that’s parenting their babies or placing them for adoption. But inside the facility, the girls hear a different message: God wants their babies to go to more “deserving” Christian couples. Some girls will find the strength to fight back. Others will have no choice but to give in. And some, like Abbi, will turn their grief into resistance – and take a stand against the system before more mothers lose their children to adoptions they never wanted. From Wondery, host and reporter T. J. Raphael tells a startling true story of young love, coercion, and defiance – and the dangerous resurgence of maternity homes in post-Roe America. Listen to Liberty Lost: Wondery.fm/LibertyLost_ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Duration:00:05:59

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Harry Thaw & the Murder of Stanford White

6/17/2025
Retired FBI agent and criminal profiler Candice DeLong explores the case of Harry Thaw, the wealthy heir who gunned down architect Stanford White in front of hundreds of witnesses. The motive? A toxic mix of jealousy and vengeance over Thaw’s wife, Evelyn Nesbit, a young model and actress who had been sexually assaulted by White years earlier. The case ignited a national scandal, revealing a world of exploitation, obsession, and privilege among New York’s elite. Candice examines how Thaw’s deep-seated insecurities, violent temper, and fixation on revenge collided in a deadly way. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter Need more Killer Psyche? With Wondery+, enjoy exclusive episodes, early access to new ones, and they’re always ad-free. Start your free trial in the Wondery App or visit wondery.app.link/TI5l5KzpDLb now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Duration:00:49:16

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Judy Buenoano: The Black Widow of Florida

6/10/2025
Retired FBI agent and criminal profiler Candice DeLong dives into the chilling case of Judy Buenoano, a woman who earned the nickname “The Black Widow of Florida” after a string of suspicious deaths in her life. Over nearly a decade, Judy concealed her crimes behind a mask of composure and caregiving, using poison, drowning, and even car bombs to eliminate those closest to her. But when Judy’s overconfidence led authorities straight to her, her elaborate web of lies began to unravel – leading to her demise. Candice explores how greed, compulsive lying, and a ruthless need for control allowed Judy to kill without remorse. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter Need more Killer Psyche? With Wondery+, enjoy exclusive episodes, early access to new ones, and they’re always ad-free. Start your free trial in the Wondery App or visit wondery.app.link/TI5l5KzpDLb now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Duration:00:48:45

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Michael Peterson & the Staircase Murder

6/3/2025
Retired FBI agent and criminal profiler Candice DeLong examines the puzzling and polarizing case of Michael Peterson, the novelist accused of murdering his wife, Kathleen, after she was found dead at the bottom of a staircase in their home in 2001. What at first appeared to be a tragic fall quickly unraveled into a complex investigation filled with secrets, lies, and stunning revelations about Peterson’s past – and his double life. Candice investigates how Peterson’s narcissistic need for admiration and control may have been the psychological undercurrent that led to his undoing. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter Need more Killer Psyche? With Wondery+, enjoy exclusive episodes, early access to new ones, and they’re always ad-free. Start your free trial in the Wondery App or visit wondery.app.link/TI5l5KzpDLb now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Duration:00:46:24

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Wondery Presents: How to Survive Against the Odds

6/2/2025
Inspired by Wondery’s hit podcast Against the Odds—learn how to survive whatever nature can throw at you through gut-twisting true stories of survival on the brink How to Survive Against the Odds places you at the center of fifteen real life-or-death scenarios. Each story explores the physiological responses of the human body under unbearable conditions, how to counteract them, and strategies for survival from doctors and psychologists. Through these tales, we see the grit, willpower, and know-how needed to navigate out of a host of merciless situations. This invaluable survival guide includes tips on how to endure being: This might just be the most important book you’ll ever read. Armed with the information in How to Survive Against the Odds and when faced with similar threats, you may also find that you have what it takes to defy death and live to tell your story. Order your copy of HOW TO SURVIVE AGAINST THE ODDS now at Wondery.fm/survivalguidebook See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Duration:00:06:02

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Donato Bilancia: The Monster of the Riviera

5/27/2025
Retired FBI agent and criminal profiler Candice DeLong dives into the chilling case of Donato Bilancia, dubbed “The Monster of the Riviera.” Over a span of just seven months, Bilancia went on a shocking killing spree across northern Italy, claiming the lives of 17 victims – both men and women, strangers and acquaintances alike. But what drove a compulsive gambler and seemingly unremarkable man to become one of Italy’s most prolific serial killers? Candice delves into the psychological torment behind Bilancia’s actions, uncovering how feelings of inadequacy, betrayal, and deep-seated rage erupted into a campaign of terror that left a nation reeling. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter Need more Killer Psyche? With Wondery+, enjoy exclusive episodes, early access to new ones, and they’re always ad-free. Start your free trial in the Wondery App or visit wondery.app.link/TI5l5KzpDLb now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Duration:00:49:15

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Christopher Dorner: The Mind Behind the Manhunt

5/20/2025
Retired FBI agent and criminal profiler Candice DeLong dives into the chilling case of Christopher Dorner, a decorated Navy veteran and former LAPD officer who waged a deadly campaign against the very department he once served. In 2013, Dorner launched a series of targeted attacks on law enforcement officers and their families, leaving Southern California on edge for nearly two weeks – and causing the LAPD to launch their largest manhunt to date. Candice explores how Dorner became entrenched in a growing sense of perceived injustice, and how his psychological descent turned him from a protector of the public into one of its most feared threats. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter Need more Killer Psyche? With Wondery+, enjoy exclusive episodes, early access to new ones, and they’re always ad-free. Start your free trial in the Wondery App or visit wondery.app.link/TI5l5KzpDLb now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Duration:00:51:06

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Candy Montgomery: A Sudden Snap or a Calculated Act?

5/13/2025
Retired FBI agent and criminal profiler Candice DeLong dives into the controversial case of Candy Montgomery. In 1980, Candy was accused of committing the brutal axe slaying of her close friend, Betty Gore, following an affair she had with Betty’s husband. She confessed to the crime…so why was she ultimately found not guilty? Candice explores how an unconventional psychological assessment became the hallmark of Candy’s defense, and what kind of social and psychological factors may have contributed to the jury’s decision. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter Need more Killer Psyche? With Wondery+, enjoy exclusive episodes, early access to new ones, and they’re always ad-free. Start your free trial in the Wondery App or visit wondery.app.link/TI5l5KzpDLb now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Duration:00:48:50

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Goidsargi Estibaliz Carranza Zabala: The Ice Cream Killer

5/6/2025
Retired FBI agent and criminal profiler Candice DeLong explores the case of Goidsargi Estibaliz Carranza Zabala, also known as the “Ice Cream Killer.” To the outside world, she was just a friendly ice cream shop owner in Vienna. But behind the counter, Carranza was living a lie. Between 2008 and 2010, she murdered both her ex-husband and her boyfriend, hiding their remains in the basement freezer beneath the shop. Candice explores the psychological unraveling that led to these calculated killings, and how Carranza’s soft-spoken demeanor masked a capacity for cold-blooded violence. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter Need more Killer Psyche? With Wondery+, enjoy exclusive episodes, early access to new ones, and they’re always ad-free. Start your free trial in the Wondery App or visit wondery.app.link/TI5l5KzpDLb now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Duration:00:43:23

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Luigi Mangione: Discussing the Latest with Law & Crime's Jesse Weber

4/29/2025
Retired FBI agent and criminal profiler Candice DeLong speaks with Law & Crime host and NewsNation legal contributor Jesse Weber to discuss the headline-dominating case of Luigi Mangione – the focus of Law & Crime’s gripping new podcast LUIGI, hosted by Jesse. Together, they unpack how a young man’s outward charm allegedly masked a much darker truth. Candice and Jesse discuss exclusive insights from his deep dive into Mangione’s story, unpack the head-scratching response to Mangione’s alleged crimes, and explore how new legal developments could change everything. Listen to LUIGI, exclusively on Wondery+: https://wondery.com/shows/luigi/ Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter Need more Killer Psyche? With Wondery+, enjoy exclusive episodes, early access to new ones, and they’re always ad-free. Start your free trial in the Wondery App or visit wondery.app.link/TI5l5KzpDLb now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Duration:00:39:50

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Listen Now: Death County, PA

4/28/2025
Lamont Jones leaves Dauphin County Prison for the last time, a free man ready to move on with his life. But when his young cousin dies in that same jail, he learns that this is not the only mysterious death that has plagued Dauphin County Prison. The search for the truth will put him at odds with a reality TV show coroner who claims to speak for the dead and people in power who all have something to hide. Listen to Death County, PA: Wondery.fm/DCPA_FD See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Duration:00:06:03

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Phil Spector: Music, Madness, and Murder

4/22/2025
Retired FBI agent and criminal profiler Candice DeLong delves into the case of Phil Spector. Once a legendary music producer known for his unique use of sound, Spector slowly became a figure of mystery – and controversy. Years of erratic behavior and isolation culminated into Spector’s undoing one morning in February of 2003, when actress Lana Clarkson was found shot to death in his mansion. Candice explores how a dangerous mix of mental illness, substance abuse, and a combination of fears led one of music’s most famous figures down a dark path of death and destruction. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter Need more Killer Psyche? With Wondery+, enjoy exclusive episodes, early access to new ones, and they’re always ad-free. Start your free trial in the Wondery App or visit wondery.app.link/TI5l5KzpDLb now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Duration:00:49:28

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Samuel Little: America's Most Prolific Serial Killer

4/15/2025
Retired FBI agent and criminal profiler Candice DeLong examines the chilling case of Samuel Little, the most prolific serial killer in United States history. For nearly four decades, Little preyed on the society’s most vulnerable, evading justice as he carried out a staggering number of murders. Despite multiple arrests, he avoided serious punishment – until a DNA match finally exposed his crimes. Candice unpacks the psychopathy and paraphilias that fueled his crimes, how he was able to kill undetected for so long, and how his confessions helped authorities close dozens of cold cases. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter Need more Killer Psyche? With Wondery+, enjoy exclusive episodes, early access to new ones, and they’re always ad-free. Start your free trial in the Wondery App or visit wondery.app.link/TI5l5KzpDLb now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Duration:00:47:30

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Leonarda Cianciulli: The Soap-Maker of Correggio

4/8/2025
Retired FBI agent and criminal profiler Candice DeLong dives into the case of Leonarda Cianciulli, “The Soap-Maker of Correggio.” Between 1939 and 1940, Leonarda – a popular store owner in the Italian town of Correggio — lured three women to their deaths before turning their remains into tea cakes and soap. Her motive? To save her son from dying in World War II. Candice analyzes how years of tragedy and a series of unfavorable fortune readings led Leonarda to developing a dangerous delusion that turned her into a cold-blooded killer. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter Need more Killer Psyche? With Wondery+, enjoy exclusive episodes, early access to new ones, and they’re always ad-free. Start your free trial in the Wondery App or visit wondery.app.link/TI5l5KzpDLb now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Duration:00:48:52

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Christopher Wilder: The Beauty Queen Killer

4/1/2025
Retired FBI agent and criminal profiler Candice DeLong dives into the case of Christopher Wilder. In 1984, Wilder went on a terrifying cross-country rampage that lasted 47 days and claimed the lives of at least eight young women, who believed that Wilder would help them achieve their modeling dreams. Known as the “Beauty Queen Killer,” he used his charm and wealth to manipulate and control his victims before subjecting them to horrific violence. Candice examines how Wilder’s deeply rooted fantasies and past criminal behavior escalated into a nationwide killing spree – and how a relentless manhunt brought his reign of terror to an end. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter Need more Killer Psyche? With Wondery+, enjoy exclusive episodes, early access to new ones, and they’re always ad-free. Start your free trial in the Wondery App or visit wondery.app.link/TI5l5KzpDLb now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Duration:00:50:08

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Pedro Alonso López: "The Monster of the Andes"

3/25/2025
Retired FBI agent and criminal profiler Candice DeLong explores the case of Pedro Alonso López. In the late 1970s, López terrorized young girls across Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador, amassing a suspected victim count of more than 300. López was dubbed “The Monster of the Andes” due to the sheer horror and depravity of his crimes – and his own admission of enjoying the suffering of his vulnerable victims. Candice examines how López’s troubled and tragic upbringing initially led him into a life of crime, and explores how a man transformed into a monster. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter Need more Killer Psyche? With Wondery+, enjoy exclusive episodes, early access to new ones, and they’re always ad-free. Start your free trial in the Wondery App or visit wondery.app.link/TI5l5KzpDLb now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Duration:00:43:44

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Barbara & Antony Baekeland: How a Mother Made a Murderer

3/18/2025
Retired FBI agent and criminal profiler Candice DeLong dives into the case of mother-son duo Barbara and Antony Baekeland. Behind the facade of a beautiful socialite and doting mother, Barbara Baekeland was not as charming as she seemed. She harbored a dark and twisted obsession with her son – an obsession that would lead him to kill his own mother in cold blood. Candice unravels the shocking relationship between them, exploring how Barbara’s overbearing need for control ended in her downfall. Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter Need more Killer Psyche? With Wondery+, enjoy exclusive episodes, early access to new ones, and they’re always ad-free. Start your free trial in the Wondery App or visit wondery.app.link/TI5l5KzpDLb now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Duration:00:51:28

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Introducing: Law & Crime’s LUIGI

3/17/2025
When Luigi Mangione allegedly gunned down UnitedHealthcare’s CEO, the media called it a senseless crime. But online, a different story emerged—one of rage, reckoning, and a suspected killer turned folk hero. More than just a true crime podcast, LUIGI, hosted by Jesse Weber, dares to look beyond the crime and the accused to explore a cultural tipping point in America, asking you to decide - is the status quo enough, or is it time for a cultural reckoning? Listen to Law&Crime’s LUIGI exclusively on Wondery+ and follow the show page to keep up on all the latest developments. You can join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. Visit www.wondery.com/links/luigi and start your free trial now! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Duration:00:05:39