The people we know may not be who they seem. That's the haunting message at the heart of this special true crime episode featuring listener-submitted stories about encounters with murderers who walked among them.
After kicking things off with a simple vodka martini, I share my fascination with true crime content before diving into the chilling submissions you've sent in. Unlike famous cases involving strangers, these stories hit closer to home, they're about coworkers, classmates, neighbors, and romantic partners who committed horrific acts that shocked everyone around them.
A high school boyfriend now serving time for vehicular manslaughter. A coworker who murdered his bride on their honeymoon. A cocktail waitress who stabbed her boyfriend to death in a drug-fueled rage. These stories remind us that killers aren't just the strangers we fear in dark alleys, they're often people we know, interact with, and trust.
Perhaps most disturbing is the account from a listener convinced her current coworker is a murderer. She describes his unnerving behavior in vivid detail, the way he studies people with an empty gaze, speaks in a calculated manner, and creates such a sense of dread that she refuses to share an elevator with him. Her gut feeling is so strong that she's certain he'll eventually make headlines.
These stories serve as stark reminders that life is precious and unpredictable. The father who lost his wife and child to a drunk driver had no warning his world would shatter that day. The honeymoon that should have marked the beginning of a life together instead became a crime scene.
What makes us human is our capacity for connection, but these stories reveal the darker side of our nature and the uncomfortable truth that we never truly know what someone is capable of. Share your own Gremlin stories, guidance requests, or gossip at emilytogremilypod@gmail.com or connect with me on Instagram and TikTok @emilytogremilypod
