MidnightRipper with Burnt Marshmallows

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Mmmm, who knows, Bloody Lack and the heart of men.
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(00:22):
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Speaker 2 (00:45):
The Shadows Dark Cast Network indie podcasts with the Dark Side. Oh,

(01:25):
Welcome to Burnt Marshmallows, Cozy Mysteries. Grab your marshmallows and
sleeping bags. It's time for a spooky story around the campfire.
Not to worry if you scare easily. We are here
with some cozy stories to keep you entertained and maybe
even tuck you into sleep. Toast that marshmallow to a
backdrop of ghost stories, mysteries, and sometimes an occasional monster.

(01:48):
I'm your host, Aurora, and today we have a serial
killer on the loose in the Midnight Ripper. Today's story
was requested by our friend Wendy, who said she would
like to hear the whole story when we posted a
spooky short version of this on Instagram. So let's dive
into the midnight ripper. Jenny Woo laughed as she leaned
against the bar, engrossed in a conversation with a handsome

(02:10):
man beside her. The dimly lit bar and dark haveven
buzzed with music and chatter, creating an atmosphere of excitement.
Her friends surrounded her, their voices blending with the rhythmic beats.
Jenny's eyes sparkled as she flirted with the mysterious stranger,
enjoying the thrill of the moment. The man excused himself

(02:30):
to use the restroom, leaving Jenny momentarily alone. She took
a moment to glance around the bar, assessing the crowd
and soaking in the ambience. She glanced at her phone.
It was almost midnight, sinthing, it was time to call
it a night. Jenny turned back to her friends. I
think I'll head home now, she announced, adjusting the strap
of her bag. I'm going to take off. Her friends

(02:53):
exchanged playful glances, trying to persuade her to stay out longer.
Come on, Jenny, that guy is so cute, one of
them chimed in, you shouldn't walk home alone. We'll take
a lift together. Jenny smiled appreciatively at the concern, but
shook her head. No, it's okay. I have my mace
with me and I'll be fine. Besides, I need to

(03:14):
be up early tomorrow. Reluctantly, her friends bid her good night,
watching as she made her way towards the exit. They
promised to catch up soon and reminded her to text
them once she reached home safely. Jenny assured them with
a wave and a smile before stepping into the cool
night air. As she walked down the dimly lit street

(03:34):
to Darkhaven, the air was remarkably quiet. The rhythmic click
of her heels echoed through the silence. Shadows danced along
the walls created by flickering street lights. Jenny continued in
the direction of her apartment, oblivious to the danger that
lurked nearby. The Next day dawned with a sense of foreboding,

(03:55):
a heaviness that lingered in the air. A sanitation worker
went about his routine, methodically collecting garbage and the alleyways
of Darkhaven. As he approached a particular dumpster, talked away
from prying eyes. A pungent odor assaulted his senses. Curiosity
mixed with a growing unease compelled him to investigate further.

(04:17):
Peering inside the dumpster, the sanitation worker recoiled in horror. There,
amidst discarded refuse, lay the lifeless body of Jenny. Wo
shock washed over him, freezing him in place for a
moment before he scrambled to call the authorities. Detective Lindsay Johnson,

(04:37):
a seasoned investigator with a reputation for tenacity, received the
distressing call. Her partner, Richard Brooks, accompanied her to the
grim scene. Lindsay had earned her stripes in the force
a result of years a dedication and an unwavering commitment
to justice. Her sharp intellect and instinctive understanding of criminal

(04:59):
behavior made her a force to be reckoned with. Together,
Lindsay and Richard approached the dumpster, their footsteps muffled by
a hushed tension. The crime scene unfolded before them, a
chilling tableau of darkness and despair. Jenny's lifeless body lay
crumpled within the refuse, her once vibrant spirit extinguished. Mark

(05:23):
smarred her delicate neck, evidence of a brutal strangulation. Lindsay
knelt beside the victim, her gloved hands carefully Examining the surroundings,
it was clear that Jenny had been taken elsewhere, her
life snuffed out on another location, only to be disposed
of in a dumpster near the bar where she was
last seen alive. Detective Lindsay Johnson knew the Midnight Ripper

(05:46):
case all too well. Over the past eighteen months, she
had tirelessly investigated the murders of his four previous victims,
each one leaving behind a haunted void in the hearts
of their loved ones. The Midnight Ripper was cunning, selecting
young and beautiful victims who found themselves out alone at night,
unaware of the danger lurking in the shadows. The first

(06:08):
victim was Maria Ramirez. She disappeared one summer night, leaving
her friends waiting for her outside of a popular nightclub
they had planned to celebrate her recent graduation. Maria's lifeless
body was found a few days later in a secluded park,
her dreams of a bright future extinguished. The second victim,
Ayisha Cooper, was a college student with a passion for art.

(06:32):
She vanished on a crisp autumn evening. As she left
a gallery opening, her sketch book clutched tightly in her hand.
Ayisha was discovered by the riverside, a star contrast to
the beauty she had once brought to the world with
her artistic talent. Kara Thompson, a medical student, was the
third victim. She had gone out for a nightcap at

(06:54):
a cozy jazz club, seeking solace from the damaging rigors
of her studies. When Kara didn't return home, her worried
friends reported her missing. Her body was found near a
deserted alley, robbing the world of a brilliant mind destined
to heal and comfort. The fourth victim, Leila Chun, had

(07:15):
aspirations of becoming a chef, and disappeared on a winter night.
She had left her job at a popular restaurant, her
laughter and warmth leaving a lasting impression on those she encountered.
Days later, her lifeless body was discovered hidden within an
abandoned warehouse, ending her culinary dreams. Each victim represented a

(07:37):
tapestry of dreams, their lives cruelly stuffed out by the
Midnight Ripper's deadly grip. Lindsay had meticulously come through evidence,
interviewed witnesses, and chased countless leads, but the Kilie remained elusive,
leaving behind only shattered lives in a city grip by fear.
The realization that the midnight ripper had struck again, claiming

(07:59):
Jenny Woo as his latest victim, sent a chilling wave
through Lindsay's veins. The pattern was unmistakable. Each victim had
last been seen around midnight, either leaving bars or heading
up for the night. All had met their tragic fate,
strangled and discarded like unwanted remnants of the night. Lindsay

(08:20):
and Richard interviewed Jenny's friends, hoping the recollections would provide
valuable insights into the events leading up to her tragic demise.
Gathered in a small sterile room, the friends anxiously recounted
the details of that faithful night. According to Jenny's friends,
she had indeed been at the Brew, a popular bar

(08:40):
located just a block away from where her body was discovered.
They confirmed that she had enjoyed a drink or two,
soaking in the vibrant atmosphere. Their hearts sank as they
remembered the fleeting encanter Jenny had with a mysterious stranger,
a man who had captured her attention he was tall,
well and had an Arab mystery about him. One of

(09:03):
Jenny's friends recalled her voice laced with sadness. They were
talking and laughing, seemed to be hitting it off, but
shortly after Jenny left, he disappeared too. With this crucial
piece of information in hand, Lindsey and Richard wasted no
time heading to the Brew. Stepping into the dimly lit establishment,
they were met with the rhythmic beats of music and

(09:25):
the murmur of conversations. They approached the bartenders, hoping to
find someone who would observed Jenny's interactions. One bartender, a
twenty something year old man and a flannel, stepped forward.
He recounted how he had witnessed Jenny engaging in an
animated conversation with a particular individual, Daniel Reynolds. Daniel was

(09:46):
a talented artist known for his brooding demeanor and his
frequent visits to the Brew. His intense gaze and enigmatic
presence made him a person of interest. He's here all
the time, the bartender explained. I remember seeing him talking
to Jenny that night. They seemed to be getting along,
but I couldn't hear their conversation. Lindsay exchanged a knowing

(10:08):
glance with Richard. Daniel Reynolds's presence and Jenny's last moments
was a compelling lead to pursue. They thanked the bartender
for his cooperation and made a mental note to delve
deeper into Daniel's background impossible connection to the Midnight Rippers
deadly game. Lindsay and Richard wasted no time in the
pursuit of Daniel Reynolds, the intriguing artist who had captured

(10:30):
Jenny's attention at the brew. They tracked him down and
brought him in for questioning. Their eyes fixed on him
as he entered the interrogation room. Daniel's demeanor betrayed a
mixture of nervousness and defiance. As the detectives confronted him.
He denied ever meeting Jenny, attempting to brush off their accusations,
but Lindsay and Richard persisted, presenting the testimony of witnesses

(10:53):
who had seen them engaged in conversation. Multiple witnesses saw
you at the bar talking to Jenny, wu Lindsay stated, firmly,
her gaze unwavering. We know you were there. Don't lie
to us. Daniel's facade crumbled slightly, and he let out
a sigh of resignation. Okay, fine, I did talk to

(11:14):
a few girls that night. Maybe one of them was Jenny.
I don't really remember. Lindsay pressed further, her voice firm
but controlled. Can you recall any specific details about your
conversation with Jenny, anything that might help us understand what
happened to her? Daniel hesitated for a moment, his eyes
darting around the room. Look, I'm an artist. I meet

(11:36):
a lot of people, have random conversations. It's hard to
keep track of everyone. I don't remember anything significant about
that night. Richard leaned forward, his tone slightly more assertive.
Where did you disappear to after you left the bar?
We need to account for your whereabouts? A flicker of
discomfort crossed Daniel's face before he composed himself. I left

(11:58):
what another girl had been talking to earlier at the bar?
We went back to my place, nothing special. Lindsay and
Richard exchanged a knowing glance. Daniels claim raised more questions
than answers, but they knew they would need to verify
his alibi and delve deeper into the connections within the
Midnight Rippers twisted game Lindsay and Richard left the interrogation room,

(12:18):
their minds swirling with questions and possibilities. They were determined
to verify Daniel's alibi and gather further evidence from the Brew,
hoping it would shed light on Jenny's tragic fate. As
they made their way towards the bar, their path was
unexpectedly intercepted by Greg Sullivan, a charismatic reporter known for
persistent pursuit of breaking news Detective Johnson. Greg called out,

(12:42):
his voice carrying a mix of curiosity and excitement. I
heard about the murder case. Terrible tragedy. Word is Jenny
Wu was seen at the Brew talking to an artist
with the mysterious past. Care to share any updates? Lindsay's
eyebrows furrowed, Taken aback by Greg's knowledge of the case.
She was cautious in her response, willing to divulge too
much information. We're still investigating, mister Sullivan, can't discuss details

(13:05):
at this time. Greg's persistent nature continued to shine through.
He seemed to possess insider information, raising suspicion within Lindsey.
How was he acquiring these tidbits about the ongoing investigation?
She couldn't help, but wonder if he had an ulterior motive.
Half jokingly, Lindsay decided to test Greg's intentions. By the way,

(13:25):
mister Sullivan, where were you the knight of Jenny Woo's murder?
Just curious if you have an alibi. To her surprise,
Greg's confident demeanor faltered and a cautious expression washed over
his face. He paused for a moment, responding in jest,
do I need a lawyer? Lindsey raised an eyebrow. Not
expecting such a response, she quickly reassured him, no need

(13:49):
to get defensive. We're just trying to gather all the facts. Greg,
his composure regained, nodded and quickly excused himself. Of course, detective,
if you need any information, word to find me. As
he walked away, Lindsay couldn't shake off the feeling that
there was more to Greg Sullivan than met the eye.
Lindsay and Richard diligently pursued the verification of Daniel Reynolds's alibi,

(14:13):
determined to unravel the truth surrounding Jenny Woo's murder. Their
efforts led them to Morgan, a girl Daniel had been
flirting with at the bar. The detectives managed to track
her down and brought her in for questioning. Morgan's demeanor
reflected a mix of surprise and confusion as she found
herself in the interrogation room facing Lindy and Richard. They

(14:35):
questioned her about the events of that faithful night, seeking
to cooperate Daniel's claim that he had gone home with
her shortly after midnight. With a hint of embarrassment, Morgan
confirmed the encounter. Yeah, we hit it off at the bar,
she admitted, her voice tinged with unease. Daniel and I
left together not long after midnight. We went back to
his place. Lindsay and Richard exchanged disappointed glances. Another dead end.

(15:02):
Daniel's alibi had been confirmed, dispelling their suspicions of this
direct involvement in Jenny's murder. They were beck att square one,
Grappling with the frustration of the elusive Midnight Ripper slipping
through their fingers yet again. Lindsay sat in her office,
pouring over the files of the previous victims, desperate to
find any overlook connections or clues that might lead her

(15:24):
closer to the identity of the midnight Ripper. Hours turned
into days as she delved into the lives of Maria Ramirez,
Ayisha Cooper, Kara Thompson, and Lylah Chan. Days passed, and
just as hope began to wane, a breakthrough emerged. One
of Jenny's friends, a close confidant, came forward with a
piece of information. Jenny had canceled her first date with

(15:46):
someone she'd been talking to on Hinge because she felt
uncomfortable dating someone in law enforcement. Lindsay's mind raised as
she considered the implications of this revelation. The possibility of
a law enforcement officer being involved with the Midnight Ripper
case sent shockwaves through her. It would explain the meticulous planning,
the ability to evade capture, and the intimate knowledge of

(16:10):
police procedures that had hindered their investigation. While the friend
did not have any specific information about this person, Lindsay
knew that the key to solving the case now lay
in uncovering the true identity of this mysterious cop. She
intensified her efforts, summoning her team to dedicate their resources
to tracing the digital footprints of potential suspects within law enforcement.

(16:31):
Lindsay's team worked diligently utilizing their technological expertise to gain
access to Jenny Woo's Hinge account. With each click of
the keyboard, they dived into the digital world that had
connected Jenny to a potential suspect. The screen flickered to life,
displaying a series of conversations and profile details. Lindsay leaned

(16:52):
over the shoulder of one of her tech experts, her
eyes scanning the messages and profile information there amidst the
digital exchanges was the potential link to the Midnight Ripper's
true identity. The name on the Hinge account didn't match
any officers within their department, but Lindsay couldn't shake the
feeling that she had seen that face before. One of

(17:14):
the team members, a season detective known for his attention
to detail, gasped as he glanced at the profile picture.
Wait a minute, that's Officer Mark Adams from our own precinct.
I recognize him. Lindsay's heart skipped a beat. The realization
hit her like a jewel of electricity. If Officer Mark
Adams was indeed the person behind the Hinge account, it

(17:37):
would explain the eerie familiarity she felt when she saw
his picture. It was crucial to bring him in for
questioning and uncover the truth. The team quickly mobilized, preparing
to confront Officer Adams. As Lindsay and her team arrived
at the precinct, the atmosphere was heavy with attention. Officer
Adams was summoned to the interrogation room, where Lindsay waited,

(18:00):
her expression a mix of determination and apprehension. Officer Adams
entered the room, his posture rigid and his gaze fixed
on Lindsay. She wasted no time in addressing the matter
at hand, Presenting the evidence they had uncovered. She looked
him in the eye and said, Officer Adams, we have

(18:20):
reason to believe that you may be connected to the
Hinge account that Jenny Wu was talking to. Can you
explain this? Officer Adams's face paled, but he maintained if
an near of calm, Detective Johnson, I have never met
Jenny Wu, nor have I ever used Hinge. I'm in
a relationship, I have a girlfriend, Lindsay proved further, her
voice unwavering. We have evidence that your Hinge account was

(18:43):
active using your picture and information. Can you explain how
that might have happened? Officer Adams hesitated, his composure slipping slightly.
I don't know my account was inactive or so I thought.
Maybe someone was catfishing her using my photo. If the
hinge Acaut was a catfish, they seemed to have inside
knowledge of criminology. Could this catfish be someone within the

(19:06):
law enforcement community. Lindsay walked the dimly lit streets, seeking
solace in the solitude of the night. The weight of
the case still clung to her, but she needed a
moment of respite from the relentless pursuit of the midnight ripper. However,
her attempt at solace was shattered as the phone buzzed,
signaling an incoming message from an unknown number. You're closer

(19:30):
than you think, the message read Dread washed over her,
instantly realizing the grave implications. Before she could react, the
distinct sound of the gun being cocked reached her ears.
Her body froze, and she felt a cold, hard object

(19:50):
pressed against the side of her head. A voice filled
with bitterness and rejection pierced the silence from behind her.
Don't move Lind's. Lindsay's heart pounded in her chest as
she recognized the voice. It was her partner, Detective Richard Brooks. Betrayal, Confusion,

(20:12):
and fear mingled within her, paralyzing her. She struggled to
make sense of the situation, her mind racing to comprehend
the motives behind Richard's sudden turn. Why Richard, what is this?
Linday's voice quivered, the desperation palpable. Richard's grip tightened around her,

(20:32):
his voice laced with venomous resentment. You never saw me, Lindsay,
You never truly acknowledged my presence. I was always there
by your side, but you only had eyes for the
criminals we pursued and the women. The women who rejected me.
They deserved my attention. A course of realization coursed through
Lindsay's veins. The pieces fell into place, connecting the dots

(20:57):
of rejection and wounded pride. Richard felt he'd been driven
to madness by the women who turned him away, and
now she found herself in his deadly grip. Fear and
anger surged within Lindsay, her survival instinct kicking in. Richard,
this isn't the way we can find another solution. Put

(21:18):
the gun down and let's talk. Richard's grip tightened further,
his voice dripping with disdain, talk. It's too late for talk, Lindsay.
I've made up my mind. You and I will be
remembered forever, intertwined. Lindsay's heart raised as she fought against
the overpowering fear. She had to think quickly, find an

(21:40):
opening and free herself from Richard's grasp in a split second.
As fear and adrenaline surged through Lindsay's veins, she mustered
every ounce of strength within her. With a sudden burst
of movement, she swung her head backwards, connecting with Richard's face.
The impact sent a shockwave of pain through his skull,

(22:01):
momentarily disorienting him. Taking advantage of the distraction, Lindsay swiftly
twisted and wriggled out of Richard's grasp. She sprinted away
from him, her heart pounding in her chest, her mind
focused on one thing, escaping his clutches and ensuring her
own survival. Richard, stunned, regained his composure and lunched forward,

(22:25):
but Lindsay was already a step ahead. With precision and determination,
she drew her firearm, her hands steady despite the chaos
and folding around her, she aimed directly at Richard, her
voice firm and commanding, dropped the weapon. Richard It's over.
Caught off guard by Lindsay's resolute stance, Richard hesitated for

(22:46):
a brief moment. The realization of his impending defeat washed
over him, and he slowly lowered his weapon to the ground,
His face twisted with a mixture of rage and resignation.
Lindsay kept her gun trained on him, maintaining a safe distance.
As she cautiously approached, she could feel the weight of
the past, the victims, and the darkness that had consumed

(23:09):
her partner. With a mix of determination and regret, she
spoke with a stern resolve, You're coming with me, Richard,
This ends tonight. Richard's eyes flickered with a hint of defiance,
but they knew he had been outmatched. In silence, he
submitted to Lindsay's authority. Knowing that the rain of the

(23:30):
Midnight Ripper had come to an end. Lindsay radioed for backup,
ensuring Richard was securely apprehended. With a mix of relief
and sorrow, she reflected on the dark twist their partnership
had taken and the tragedy that had unfolded the Midnight
ripper was finally within their grasp and justice would prevail
for the victims and their families. Thanks for camping out

(23:53):
with Bert Marshmallows. You can help support our spooky stories
on Patreon at patreon dot com Last Burt Marshmallows. We
appreciate your support and can't wait to send you your
very own cute marshmallow merch. We also appreciate your reviews
on Apple podcasts, which help new listeners find their way
to our campsite. It can be a little tricky in

(24:14):
the dark. You can find us on Instagram at Burt
Marshmallow's Pod TikTok, also at Burt Marshmallow's Pod The Reds,
also Burt Marshmallows Pod and Facebook just by searching for
Burt Marshmallows Cozy Mysteries. See you next week, campers.

Speaker 1 (25:00):
The