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
Ruthie's Table 4

Ruthie's Table 4

For more than 30 years The River Cafe in London, has been the home-from-home of artists, architects, designers, actors, collectors, writers, activists, and politicians. Michael Caine, Glenn Close, JJ Abrams, Steve McQueen, Victoria and David Beckham, and Lily Allen, are just some of the people who love to call The River Cafe home. On River Cafe Table 4, Rogers sits down with her customers—who have become friends—to talk about food memories. Table 4 explores how food impacts every aspect of our lives. “Foods is politics, food is cultural, food is how you express love, food is about your heritage, it defines who you and who you want to be,” says Rogers. Each week, Rogers invites her guest to reminisce about family suppers and first dates, what they cook, how they eat when performing, the restaurants they choose, and what food they seek when they need comfort. And to punctuate each episode of Table 4, guests such as Ralph Fiennes, Emily Blunt, and Alfonso Cuarón, read their favourite recipe from one of the best-selling River Cafe cookbooks. Table 4 itself, is situated near The River Cafe’s open kitchen, close to the bright pink wood-fired oven and next to the glossy yellow pass, where Ruthie oversees the restaurant. You are invited to take a seat at this intimate table and join the conversation. For more information, recipes, and ingredients, go to https://shoptherivercafe.co.uk/ Web: https://rivercafe.co.uk/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/therivercafelondon/ Facebook: https://en-gb.facebook.com/therivercafelondon/ For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iheartradio app, apple podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

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.