The Hunt for John List (Part 2)
Summary
The hosts recap their exhausting book tour before diving into the John List case, detailing his abusive upbringing and strained marriage. They trace his disappearance after murdering his family in 1971 and the subsequent failed manhunt. The episode culminates with his 1989 capture via *America’s Most Wanted*, revealing he lived quietly under an alias in Virginia.
Topics discussed
Sponsors and post-book tour exhaustion
John List's early life and family background
List's marriage, military service, and obtaining the gun
Family dynamics and Brenda's outsider status
Professional struggles and Helen's depression
Moving to New Jersey and buying the mansion
The manhunt and false leads like D.B. Cooper
Insurance disputes and the case going cold
Pitching the case to America's Most Wanted
Nostalgia for Unsolved Mysteries and Rescue 911
The tip from Denver and identifying Robert Clark
List's arrest and his unchanged appearance
List's new life in Colorado and his wife's denial
Pre-trial detention and the start of the trial
The 'mercy killing' defense and religious justification
Expert testimony on mental health and diabetes
Guilty verdict and List's lack of remorse
Fun fact about Abraham Lincoln and outro
Listen ad-free on Castria