George Hassell: The Family Axeman
Summary
Hosts Ash and Elena discuss their messy studio setup and Mercury Retrograde before detailing the life of George Hossel, the "Family Axeman." They cover his history of theft, desertion, and manipulation leading to the 1917 murders of Marie Vogel and three children. The episode concludes with his 1926 massacre of his wife and eight stepchildren in Texas, highlighting his pattern of blaming others for his violent crimes.
Topics discussed
Sponsors: Dunkin', State Farm, and Sugar Bee Apples
Intro: Music, messy studio, and trash soul discussion
George Hodel's early life, embezzlement, and prison
Sponsors: SimpliSafe and BetterHelp
Hodel's drift, marriage to Minnie, and Marie's disappearance
Marriage to Susan, brother's death, and the massacre night
The killing of the children and Alton
Sponsors: Hills Pet Nutrition and Kleenex
Discovery, confession, trial, and execution
Outro: Cube-shaped poop fact and final sponsors
Listen ad-free on Castria