All Episodes

March 29, 2024 51 mins

Pillar of the community. Philanthropist. Medical doctor. Dorthea Puente was given – or gave herself – many different titles over the years, but in California in the 1980s, the one title that proved true was “serial killer.” On this episode of the Escape Pod, co-costs Charity and Julie are joined by friend-of-the-show Karabeth to discuss this “greedy granny” whose love of money may have driven her to kill some of the very people she was entrusted to help. 

 

Bullet Points of Key Topics and Markers: 

  • Topic #1    6:19 Sacremento, CA, in the 1980s: A man with a mental health condition and other challenges goes missing after moving into Dorthea Puente’s home 
  • Topic #2  14:31 Discussion of Dorthea’s troubling and traumatic past 
  • Topic #3  32:22 A secret note is slipped to investigators that helps crack the case 
  • Topic #4  47:24 A Lighter Note: Escapism, co-host-style

 

Resources & Links 

 

https://sports.yahoo.com/killing-her-boarders-burying-them-194503281.html 

https://www.crimemuseum.org/crime-library/serial-killers/dorothea-puente/ 

https://www.investigationdiscovery.com/crimefeed/crime-history/death-house-landlady--a-look-back-at-unexpected-serial-killer-do  

https://www.sfgate.com/local/article/california-serial-killer-dorothea-puente-17318261.php 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6616525/Grandson-Dorothea-Puente-laced-cakes-poison-says-shared-real-connection-her.html  

 

 

Sign up to be a Patron today! Get access to the Patron-Only Facebook Group, Bonus Episodes, and more at http://escapepod.live   Contact Us or Submit a story:
Mark as Played

Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

Stuff You Should Know
Medal of Honor: Stories of Courage

Medal of Honor: Stories of Courage

Rewarded for bravery that goes above and beyond the call of duty, the Medal of Honor is the United States’ top military decoration. The stories we tell are about the heroes who have distinguished themselves by acts of heroism and courage that have saved lives. From Judith Resnik, the second woman in space, to Daniel Daly, one of only 19 people to have received the Medal of Honor twice, these are stories about those who have done the improbable and unexpected, who have sacrificed something in the name of something much bigger than themselves. Every Wednesday on Medal of Honor, uncover what their experiences tell us about the nature of sacrifice, why people put their lives in danger for others, and what happens after you’ve become a hero. Special thanks to series creator Dan McGinn, to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society and Adam Plumpton. Medal of Honor begins on May 28. Subscribe to Pushkin+ to hear ad-free episodes one week early. Find Pushkin+ on the Medal of Honor show page in Apple or at Pushkin.fm. Subscribe on Apple: apple.co/pushkin Subscribe on Pushkin: pushkin.fm/plus

Dateline NBC

Dateline NBC

Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.