500 - Blowing Through the Mushroom Murders

514 - Carl Tanzler: Romantic... Necrophiliac?

Jul 6, 20262h 58mSummary

In this episode of Timesuck, the host explores the bizarre and macabre life of Carl Tanzler, a German-born radiologist who became infatuated with a young patient named Elena de Hoyos. After meeting her in Key West, Florida, in the early 1930s, Tanzler became convinced that Elena was the woman he had seen in childhood visions. When she tragically passed away from tuberculosis at age twenty-two, Tanzler’s obsession took an incredibly dark turn. Rather than letting her rest in peace, he exhumed her body and kept it in his home for seven years, attempting to preserve her remains and even trying to resurrect her through various delusional experiments. The episode provides a detailed historical backdrop by examining the evolution of American funeral practices, from colonial-era wakes to the rise of the modern embalming industry sparked by the Civil War. By contrasting standard funerary rituals with Tanzler’s grotesque actions, the host highlights the thin line between mourning and pathology. The discussion balances macabre true crime storytelling with a fascination for human behavior, ultimately questioning how a person could descend into such a deeply disturbed, necrophilic obsession.

513 - The Dark Strangler: Serial Killer Earle Nelson

Jun 29, 20262h 26mSummary

In this episode of Timesuck, host Dan Cummins explores the dark and largely forgotten history of Earle Nelson, a serial killer known as the Gorilla Man or the Dark Strangler. Despite having a confirmed victim count that exceeds the totals of more infamous figures like Richard Ramirez or the Golden State Killer, Nelson remains a relatively obscure case in the annals of true crime. The episode traces Nelson’s life from his early childhood in San Francisco, marked by profound tragedy and physical trauma. Cummins details how Nelson was orphaned before the age of two, raised by rigid, puritanical grandparents, and suffered significant head injuries that likely contributed to his later violent behavior. The narrative follows Nelson’s trajectory through the 1920s, a period during which he terrorized multiple states and Canada, targeting women with calculated, rapid-fire attacks. Beyond the chilling details of the murders, the discussion touches on the limitations of early 20th-century mental health care and the impact of childhood trauma on criminal development. By examining Nelson’s chaotic upbringing alongside his violent crimes, the episode provides an unsettling look at one of history’s earliest documented serial sex murderers.

Short Suck 60: The Mystery of the Yuba County Five

Jun 24, 20261h 0mSummary

In this episode of Timesuck, Dan Cummins explores the baffling disappearance of the Yuba County Five, a mystery that has haunted California for decades. In February 1978, five young men from Yuba City—Jack Hewitt, William Sterling, Ted Weir, Jack Madruga, and Gary Matthias—vanished after attending a college basketball game. Despite intending to return home, their vehicle was discovered abandoned in a remote, snow-covered area of the Plumas National Forest, miles away from their planned route. Cummins delves into the backgrounds of the men, noting that four had intellectual disabilities while the fifth struggled with schizophrenia. The discussion covers the conflicting witness reports, the strange behavior of a man who claimed to have seen the group while stranded in the same forest, and the harrowing, inexplicable discovery of the men’s remains months later. The podcast provides an analytical look at the lack of clear evidence, the odd state of their vehicle, and the enduring questions surrounding why this group of friends would venture into such dangerous, isolated terrain. It is a sobering examination of a case defined by its lack of logic and closure.

512 - The Stonewall Riots

Jun 22, 20262h 41mSummary

In this episode of Timesuck, host Dan Cummins explores the history and significance of the Stonewall Riots, a pivotal moment in the fight for LGBTQ+ liberation. The narrative begins by setting the stage in 1969 Greenwich Village, describing a world where being openly queer was not only socially stigmatized but often illegal. Cummins details the systemic harassment faced by the community, particularly the frequent, violent police raids on gay bars that forced many to live in secret. The episode highlights the stories of individuals like Sylvia Rivera, who navigated the brutal realities of homelessness and police brutality from a young age. Rather than presenting the Stonewall Riots as a singular, organized protest, Cummins clarifies that the events were a spontaneous, messy explosion of long-standing frustration against a cycle of state-sanctioned abuse. He discusses how this uprising, while not an immediate victory in the tactical sense, served as a catalyst for a surge in activism and visibility. By weaving together historical context and personal accounts, the episode provides an insightful look at the courage required to demand existence in a society designed to keep the queer community in the shadows.

511 - The 1991 Austin Yogurt Shop Murders

Jun 15, 20262h 36mSummary

In this episode of Timesuck with Dan Cummins, the host examines the harrowing 1991 yogurt shop murders in Austin, Texas. The incident involved the brutal killing of four teenage girls—Eliza Thomas, Jennifer Harbison, her sister Sarah Harbison, and Amy Ayres—who were found bound and shot in a burning yogurt shop. The tragedy shocked the nation, marking a painful end to the city's perceived sense of innocence and safety. The episode provides a detailed look into the victims' lives, highlighting their ambitions, involvement in the Future Farmers of America, and their ordinary Friday night plans that turned into a nightmare. Cummins discusses the investigative failures that followed, including the compromised crime scene and internal conflicts within the Austin Police Department that stalled justice for years. By framing the case against the backdrop of other sensational 1990s true crime events, the podcast explores why this specific tragedy remains so haunting. The discussion emphasizes the lasting trauma left on the community and the enduring mystery surrounding who committed the act, offering a somber exploration of a case that continues to baffle investigators and the public alike.

Short Suck 59: The Alligator Man aka The Butcher of Elmendorf

Jun 12, 202649 minSummary

In this episode, Dan Cummins explores the dark, true story of Joe Ball, a man often referred to as the Alligator Man or the Butcher of Elmendorf. Set in the quiet, rural landscape of 1930s South Texas, the narrative details how Ball—a Prohibition-era bootlegger—transformed from a local figure into a suspected serial killer. After building a tavern known as the Sociable Inn, Ball famously constructed a concrete pool behind his establishment, housing several alligators and inviting patrons to watch as he fed them various small animals. The episode delves into the disturbing disappearance of multiple women who worked at the bar, including Ball’s associates Minnie Gotark and Dolores Goodwin. Cummins examines the chilling rumors that Ball used his alligators to dispose of human remains, a theory that served as the inspiration for the horror film Eaten Alive. By tracing the historical context of Elmendorf and the gruesome rumors surrounding Ball’s business, the podcast provides a deep dive into how a small-town power dynamic and a culture of silence allowed a potentially prolific murderer to operate in plain sight.

510 - Black Death: The Bizarre Kidnapping of Chloe Ayling

Jun 8, 20262h 21mSummary

This episode of Timesuck explores the strange and controversial 2017 kidnapping of British glamour model Chloe Ayling. While traveling to Milan for a photoshoot, Ayling was drugged, abducted, and held by men claiming to represent a criminal group known as Black Death. Her captors threatened to sell her into sexual slavery on the dark web unless a massive ransom was paid. The host details the confusion surrounding the case, as investigators and the public struggled to verify the narrative. Following her release, Ayling faced significant skepticism, with many in the British media and public speculating that the event was a staged publicity stunt orchestrated by the model and her captors. The episode examines these theories, the blurred lines between victim and suspect, and the societal reaction to the bizarre circumstances of the crime. By analyzing the timeline of events and the personalities involved, the discussion highlights how this case became a polarizing topic, leaving many to wonder whether it was a genuine tragedy or an elaborate fabrication that spiraled out of control.

509 - 13 Hours of Terror: The 2020 Nova Scotia Massacre

Jun 1, 20262h 19mSummary

In this episode of Timesuck with Dan Cummins, the host examines the 2020 Nova Scotia attacks, a harrowing thirteen-hour mass shooting that remains one of the deadliest incidents in Canadian history. Because the tragedy coincided with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, it received significantly less international media coverage than its scale warranted. The episode explores the timeline of the shooter, Gabriel Wortman, who moved between multiple locations to commit his crimes while evading authorities. Beyond the events themselves, the discussion highlights the complex history and role of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the primary law enforcement agency involved, and touches on the unique regional culture of Nova Scotia. Cummins also delves into the perpetrator's disturbing upbringing and history of abuse, aiming to provide context for his eventual descent into violence without granting him any glorification. The episode concludes by addressing the aftermath of the tragedy, the failures of the initial police response, and the various conspiracy theories that emerged following the investigation. It is a somber look at a catastrophic event that left a profound impact on the local community and the nation.

508 - John of God: Ghosts, Grift, and Psychic Surgery

May 25, 20262h 28mSummary

This episode of Time Suck explores the life and crimes of Joao Teixeira de Faria, widely known as John of God, a Brazilian self-proclaimed psychic surgeon who ran a lucrative spiritual healing center called the Casa de Dom Inacio de Loyola. For decades, Faria claimed he was not the source of the miracles performed at his facility; rather, he acted as a medium for various spirit guides who possessed his body to heal the sick. His operations, which included invasive procedures performed without anesthesia, attracted millions of believers, including high-profile international figures, and generated immense wealth. The host traces the historical roots of these practices, diving into the nineteenth-century spiritualism movement, the Fox sisters, and the emergence of Spiritism in Brazil. By examining how Faria synthesized these beliefs with local traditions, the episode highlights how he exploited the intersection of faith, grief, and desperation. The discussion also details the dark reality behind the facade: the systemic abuse and sexual assaults that victims endured for years. Ultimately, the episode serves as an investigation into how a manipulative grifter successfully weaponized religious belief to shield his predatory behavior from public scrutiny.

Short Suck 58: Roaring! Spinning! Winning! The Rise of the Big Wheel

May 22, 202658 minSummary

This episode of Timesuck explores the cultural legacy of childhood play, focusing specifically on the iconic Big Wheel tricycle and the broader history of toy manufacturing. The host delves into the nostalgia of the 1970s and 80s, describing the Big Wheel not just as a toy, but as a dangerous, low-to-the-ground "rocket ship" that defined a generation of unsupervised outdoor play. The discussion expands into a fascinating look at the evolution of toys, contrasting classic items like the Slinky and Silly Putty with more hazardous inventions like the Slip 'n Slide. By examining the fine line between "exciting" and "dangerous," the episode highlights how society’s relationship with children's safety has shifted over time. A central figure in this narrative is Lewis Marks, the "Toy King," whose business acumen and innovative approach to mass production helped shape the American toy industry. From his early success with modified yoyos to his adaptation during wartime, the episode paints a portrait of a brilliant entrepreneur who understood the primal human need for play, ultimately exploring how toys have transitioned from simple educational tools to the high-stakes, branded experiences of today.