130: The Rose Man of Sing Sing
Summary
Laura Whitmore and Iain Stirling explore the 1918 murder of Nellie Chapin by her husband, Charles Chapin, a ruthless New York World city editor. The episode details Charles’s volatile history, including his violent temper and financial ruin, which led him to shoot his wife before vanishing. After confessing to police, he was sentenced to life in Sing Sing, where he gained notoriety for his privileged treatment and autobiography.
Topics discussed
Sponsorships and introduction
Cold open: The 1918 murder and missing husband
Host banter: Irish curses and recent events
Introduction to Charles Chapin and his reputation
Chapin's childhood, early jobs, and move to Chicago
Tangent: Blackberry scam and Hugh Grant anecdotes
Chapin's acting career and meeting Nellie
Return to journalism and the Winnetka murder scoop
Sponsorships: Angie and Indeed
Career highlights: Haymarket riots and Molly Mackin case
New York World tenure and the Titanic scoop
Financial ruin, mental health, and the suicide plan
The murder scene, police discovery, and Chapin's confession
Trial, sentencing, and life at Sing Sing prison
Prison hobbies: Gardening, birds, and pen pals
Decline, failed pardon, and death in 1930
Listener emails and pet photos
Credits, next episode preview, and final ads
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