Serial Killers & Murderous Minds

In the early 1900s, a charming German immigrant used lies, fake identities, and newspaper marriage ads to lure women into his web. What began as romance quickly turned into manipulation, financial ruin, and disappearance. Known as “The American Bluebeard,” Helmuth Schmidt built a double life fueled by control, deception, and a growing appetite for risk. As his lies multiplied and his behavior escalated, the women closest to him paid the price. This episode explores how Schmidt crafted his image, exploited trust, and crossed the line from fraud into something far more dangerous—setting the stage for one of America’s most disturbing early serial killers.

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In the early hours of July 17, 1918, the Romanov family was led into a basement—and history was forever changed. In the gripping conclusion, Killer Minds unpacks the brutal execution of the former royals, the chaotic cover-up that followed, and the decades of rumors that convinced the world at least one child survived. From false Anastasia claims to groundbreaking DNA discoveries nearly a century later, this episode examines why humanity clings to legends when reality is too horrific to face—and how the truth ultimately came to light.

If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Serial Killers & Murderous Minds to never miss a case! For ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Serial Killers & Murderous Minds is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios

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For nearly 300 years, the Romanov family ruled Russia under the belief that their power was divinely ordained. But as war, poverty, and political unrest spread, that illusion of control began to crumble. In Part 1, Killer Minds traces the rise and fall of Czar Nicholas II, the growing resentment toward the monarchy, and the revolutionary forces determined to erase the Romanovs forever. Vanessa Richardson and Dr. Tristin Engels explore how entitlement, fear, and groupthink transformed political ideology into violence—setting the stage for one of the most infamous crimes in history.

If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Serial Killers & Murderous Minds to never miss a case! For ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Serial Killers & Murderous Minds is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios

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What happens when loyalty becomes a weapon? In Part 2, Killer Minds reveals how Sante Kimes pulled her son Kenny into an escalating series of crimes—culminating in cold-blooded murder. From the killing of a banker in the Bahamas to the brutal death of New York socialite Irene Silverman, this episode examines the twisted bond that kept Kenny obedient and the psychological grip Sante never loosened. As investigators closed in, their meticulously planned schemes finally unraveled, exposing one of the most disturbing mother-son crime partnerships in modern history.

If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Serial Killers & Murderous Minds to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Serial Killers & Murderous Minds is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios

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Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Murder True Crime Stories, Crime House 24/7, and more wherever you get your podcasts!

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Sante Kimes spent her entire life reinventing herself—using charm, deception, and manipulation to get whatever she wanted. In Part 1, Killer Minds follows Sante’s troubled childhood, escalating cruelty, and decades-long career as a con artist who moved effortlessly between fraud, abuse, and exploitation. As her schemes grew bolder, so did her need for control—especially over her youngest son, Kenny. Vanessa Richardson and Dr. Tristin Engels break down how unresolved trauma, entitlement, and thrill-seeking paved the way for a criminal empire built on lies.

If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Serial Killers & Murderous Minds to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Serial Killers & Murderous Minds is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios

🎧 Need More to Binge? 

Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Crimes Of…, Murder True Crime Stories, Crime House 24/7, and more wherever you get your podcasts!

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Facebook: @crimehousestudios


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