Lucid Lab Podcast

When beloved children's author Helen Bailey vanished in 2016, the world was gripped by the mystery. But beneath the surface was a chilling truth: her fiancé, Ian Stewart, was not only her killer, but had already taken another life years before. In this episode, we unravel the shocking story of Ian Stewart - a man who murdered his first wife, Diane Stewart, in 2010, staging her death as a tragic medical incident, only to be unmasked as a double killer years later.
We follow the investigation that first treated Diane Stewart’s sudden death as epilepsy-related, and how, after Helen Bailey’s body and that of her loyal dachshund, Boris, were found hidden in a cesspit, police began to see a deadly pattern.
Join us as we examine how Stewart’s deception fooled those closest to him, the crucial evidence that finally brought him to justice, and the legacy of two women whose lives, and a beloved dog, were cruelly stolen by a man they trusted.
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Follow Lucid Lab Podcast on social media (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube) @lucidlabpodcast
Send your questions and episode suggestions to lucidlabpodcast@gmail.com 
Have a special experience or story you want to share? Send us anything! True crime, paranormal, alien encounters, spiritual experiences, dreams, etc. We might read it in our Lab Reports episode!
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Sources:
Allen, F., Devlin, A., & Knox, P. (2018, August 22). Who Was Helen Bailey? How Was She Murdered by Ian Stewart and What Children’s Books Did She Write? https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/2589388/helen-bailey-death-murderer-ian-stewart-childrens-books/
Barrow, G. (2022, February 9). Family of Diane Stewart Pay Tribute to ‘Amazing Mum’ After Murder Trial Verdict. https://www.royston-crow.co.uk/news/obituaries/21989805.family-diane-stewart-pay-tribute-amazing-mum-murder-trial-verdict/
Bradbrook, K. & Shepka, P. (2022, February 2). Diane Stewart: How a Donated Brain Helped Convict a Double Killer. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-60233593
Camber, R., Sinmaz, E., & Robinson, M. (2016, July 11). Police Investigating Disappearance of Helen Bailey Arrest Fiance on Suspicion of Murder. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3685026/Police-investigating-disappearance-children-s-author-arrest-man-55-suspicion-murder-disposing-body.html
Fruen, L. & Vonow, B. (2017, February 23). Ian Stewart Slammed by Judge for ‘Heinous’ Financially-Motivated Murder of Fiance Helen Bailey - As He Faces Death Behind Bars. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/2934788/ian-stewart-helen-bailey-murder-jail-sentence/
Halford, J. (2017, February 22). Helen Bailey: A Life Shaped by Death. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-38505358
Helen Bailey. (n.d.). Helen Bailey - Wikipedia
Helen Bailey Death: Author ‘May Have Been Alive’ in Cesspit. (2017, January 11). https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-38583555
Hughes, J (Editor). (2023, February 10). Ian Stewart (Season 2, Episode 7). [TV Series Episode]. My Lover, My Killer. FirstLook TV.
Ian Stewart: Sons Granted £185k Confiscation Order. (2022, July 27). https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-62323848
Wild, B. (2022, January 20). Ian Stewart’s Sons Say ‘Devastated Father Was In Tears at Wife’s Death’. https://www.royston-crow.co.uk/news/21990662.ian-stewarts-sons-say-devastated-father-tears-wifes-death/

On our second Under the Microscope episode, we delve into two individual cases.
Kendra explores one of the most famous unsolved murders in DC history, that of Chandra Levy. Chandra disappeared in May 2001 and it would take them over a year to find out what happened to her. In the meantime, the media was more focused on the fact that she had an affair with a much older married congressman. This focus may have distracted the police and locating where Chandra's remains were eventually found. To this day, there are still no real clear answers on who violently killed Chandra Levy. 
Jessica shares a tragic story of a young woman, Abbi Winters, and how she lived through an inexplicable violent tragedy inflicted on her by her ex-husband and father of her young son. Abbi now speaks out about red flags and how to deal with an abusive relationship before it is too late. Listen now for all of the details!
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Please send any suggestions, listener stories or comments to lucidlabpodcast@gmail.com. We love feedback!
Please subscribe and rate us on your favorite podcast platform. We appreciate you!
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Sources:
https://allthatsinteresting.com/chandra-levy
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_Chandra_Levy
https://www.modbee.com/opinion/garth-stapley/article250961284.html

On February 13, 2017, two best friends—13-year-old Abigail Williams and 14-year-old Liberty German—set out for a walk along the Monon High Bridge in Delphi, Indiana. They never returned. What began as a quiet afternoon in a small Midwestern town quickly spiraled into one of the most high-profile unsolved murder cases in recent American history. 5 years later, police would arrest a local man, Richard Allen and charge him with the murders. But many believe there is more to the story and this guy may not actually be the killer. 
In this episode, we revisit the events of that day, the discovery that shocked the nation, and the now-infamous audio and video clip recovered from Libby’s phone—evidence that turned the entire country into amateur detectives. We’ll talk through the investigations, suspects, theories, the trial of Richard Allen and the questions that still remain eight years later. Listen now for all of the details!
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Please subscribe, rate and leave a comment if you are enjoying Lucid Lab Podcast on your favorite listening platform!
Send emails, suggestions, comments or anything else to lucidlabpodcast@gmail.com
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Sources:
The Delphi Murders — Unresolved
Murders of Abigail Williams and Liberty German - Wikipedia
What is Odinism, and is it connected to the Delphi murders?
Newbound, Netta. The Delphi Murders: The Facts, The Theories, The Evidence, The Trial. 2024
Hendricks, Susan. Down the Hill: My Descent into the Double Murder in Delphi. 2023. Hachette Books. 
HBO Max. Down the Hill: The Delphi Murders. 2020. Apple TV. Chasing Evil: The Delphi Murders. 2020
Apple TV. Chasing Evil: The Delphi Murders. 2020

Robert Maudsley is one of Britain’s most infamous and dangerous inmates. From a childhood marred by relentless abuse to a series of gruesome murders, Maudsley's life is a dark exploration of trauma, revenge, and justice. We look at how his early suffering shaped his violent path, earning him the chilling nicknames "Hannibal the Cannibal" and "The Brain Eater," despite false reports of cannibalism.
Robert became a serial killer behind bars. We discuss the four murders and explore the extreme measures taken to contain him—solitary confinement in a specially designed glass cell for over 46 years. Does prolonged isolation serve justice, or is it another layer of cruelty?
Join us as we dissect the mind and legacy of Robert Maudsley, a man whose story forces us to confront the thin line between justice and vengeance. 
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Please rate and subscribe on iTunes and anywhere else you listen to podcasts!! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Follow Lucid Lab Podcast on social media (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube) @lucidlabpodcast
Send your questions and episode suggestions to lucidlabpodcast@gmail.com 
Have a special experience or story you want to share? Send us anything! True crime, paranormal, alien encounters, spiritual experiences, dreams, etc. We might read it in our Lab Reports episode!
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Sources:
Armstrong, J., Preston, F., & Warburton, D. (2025, March 8). Monster Mansion’s Glass Box Serial Killer Robert Maudsley on Hunger Strike as Luxury Prison Item Taken Away. https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/monster-mansions-glass-box-serial-31158649
Annette, J., & O’Neill. (n.d.) Serial Killer Robert Maudsley ‘Buried Alive’ in Glass Cage Below Ground. https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/serial-killer-robert-maudsley-buried-alive-in-glass-cage-below-ground/ar-AA1AZhOH?ocid=BingNewsSerp
B.2: The 1970s: The ‘meat rack’ and Playland Amusement Arcade. (n.d.). B.2: The 1970s | IICSA Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse
Convicted Murderer Cleared of Sex Attack. (2006, July 5). Convicted murderer cleared of sex attack | Daily Mail Online
Robert Maudsley. (n.d.). Robert Maudsley - Wikipedia
Rodger, J. (2024, December 22). UK’s Most Dangerous Prisoner Locked in Underground Glass Box for 51st Christmas in Jail. https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/uk-news/uks-most-dangerous-prisoner-locked-30642119
What Happened at Nazareth House Orphanages? (2019, May 30). https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-48460746

This week Kendra explores a complex case from 1996. A mother, Darlie Routier, wakes up to a frightening scene at 2:30am to find her 2 young sons stabbed to death and suffering from her own injuries. Who broke into the house and committed such a violent act? 
Well, according to the police officers that investigated the scene, there was no intruder at all. Instead, they dialed in that it must have been Darlie, a mother who chose to murder her own children, fake injuries of her own and stage the murder scene in the middle of the night. Oh, and by the way, she did all of this while her husband and 8-month old baby slept right upstairs. 
Darlie Routier now sits on death row in Texas. Many believe she deserves to be executed because she is a child killer, the worst of the worst. Others believe she was judged harshly by a justice system that never looked at the possibility that it could have actually been an intruder that committed this horrific crime. 
Listen now for all of the details and decide for yourself what you think. Is Darlie guilty or innocent? 
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Please subscribe to and rate Lucid Lab Podcast (5 stars!) on your favorite podcast platform!
If you have episode suggestions, comments or listener stories to share, please send those to LucidLabPodcast@gmail.com
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Sources:
Darlie Routier And The Real Story Behind The Murder Of Her Sons
Maybe Darlie Didn't Do It – Texas Monthly
Davis, W.G. Bloodstained Justice: The Darlie Routier Story. 2018. Diamondback Publishers International

In this episode, we delve into the heart-wrenching stories of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) in North America, including the tragic case of 14-year-old Emily Pike, whose life was brutally cut short in Arizona. We also examine the devastating murders of four Indigenous women in Winnipeg by Jeremy Skibicki, highlighting the systemic issues that contribute to these crimes. Through these cases, we explore the broader crisis affecting Indigenous communities and the urgent need for justice and change.
The legacy of residential schools plays a significant role in this crisis. These institutions, which forcibly assimilated Indigenous children into Euro-American culture, have left a lasting impact of intergenerational trauma and cultural disruption. The physical and emotional abuse experienced by survivors has contributed to cycles of violence and vulnerability, exacerbating the risks faced by Indigenous women and girls today. By understanding this historical context, we can better address the ongoing challenges and work towards healing and justice for affected communities.
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Please rate and subscribe on iTunes and anywhere else you listen to podcasts!! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Follow Lucid Lab Podcast on social media (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube) @lucidlabpodcast
Send your questions and episode suggestions to lucidlabpodcast@gmail.com 
Have a special experience or story you want to share? Send us anything! True crime, paranormal, alien encounters, spiritual experiences, dreams, etc. We might read it in our Lab Reports episode!
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Sources:
2022 Winnipeg Serial Killings (n.d.). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_Winnipeg_serial_killings
Bernhardt, D. (2025, February 27). ‘I Want My Mom’ Says Daughter of Woman Slain by Serial Killer, After Possible Remains Found in Landfill. https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canada/it-s-a-heavy-day-says-cousin-of-woman-slain-by-serial-killer-after-possible-human-remains-found-in-landfill/ar-AA1zViFC?ocid=BingNewsSerp
Christensen, D. & Irving, K. (Producers) & Wolochatiuk, T. (Director). (2012). We Were Children [Film]. Eagle Vision.
Cunningham, D. (2025, February 27). Remains Believed to be Two Missing Indigenous Women Found in Manitoba Landfill. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/remains-believed-to-be-two-missing-murdered-indigenous-women-found-in-manitoba-landfill/ar-AA1zUTxy?ocid=BingNewsSerp
Davila, V. & Hautamaki, N. (2022, October 18). USA vs Canada: A History of Residential School in North America. https://un-aligned.org/human-rights/residential-schools-in-canada-and-the-us/
De Young, L. (2025, March 7). Indigenous Community Rallies Around Slain San Carlos Apache Teen Emily Pike. https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/mesa-breaking/2025/03/07/community-mourns-indigenous-teen-emily-pike/81591423007/
Gable, S. (2025, March 2). Horrifying Update in Case of Teenage Girl Who Went Missing in Arizona. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14454045/emily-pike-arizona-missing-update.html
Hoye, B. (2024, May 9). ‘I Killed 4 People’: A Look at Winnipeg Serial Killer’s 20-Hour Confession Video. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/jeremy-skibicki-winnipeg-police-interrogation-confession-video-1.7198795
Joseph, A. (2021). A Modern Trail of Tears: The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) Crisis in the US. Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine, 79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jflm.2021.102136
Kassie, E. & Quinn, K. (Producers) & NoiseCat, J. (Director). (2024). Sugarcane [Film]. National Geographic Documentary Films.
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. (n.d.). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missing_and_Murdered_Indigenous_Women
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW): Across the United States and Canada Native Women and Girls are Being Taken or Murdered at an Unrelenting Rate. (n.d.). Native Hope. https://www.nativehope.org/missing-and-murdered-indigenous-women-mmiw/
Orozco, S. (2025, February 26). Possible Human Remains Found at Manitoba Landfill Where Search Underway for Slain First Nations Women. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/potential-human-remains-prairie-green-landfill-1.7469514
Petrosky E, Mercer Kollar LM, Kearns MC, et al. (2021). Homicides of American Indians/Alaska Natives — National Violent Death Reporting System, United States, 2003–2018. MMWR Surveill Summ 2021, 70(No. SS-8), 1–19. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.ss7008a1
Pope, C., & Smiley, M. (Directors). (2014). Highway of Tears [Film]. Finesse Films and Paracas Independent Films.
Winnipeg: A Daughter’s Quest to Find Her Mother’s Remains. (2023, July 27). https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-66317924
 
 

On Vol 13 of our Lab Reports episodes, we share two listener stories, both with stalkerish vibes. One listener tells the story of a creepy customer interaction at her sandwich shop and another shares her trauma from an unsettling roommate situation. 
For our mini episodes, Jessica covers a somewhat recent Domestic Abuse situation in Aurora, Colorado that escalated into a quadruple homicide that shattered a family. Kendra takes us back to another dark point in American History as we uncover the 1918 lynchings that took place in Georgia. Although the state has tried to cover up their dark past, we will make sure the story of Mary Turner continues to be told. 
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Please subscribe to and rate Lucid Lab Podcast (5 Stars!!) on your favorite podcast platform!
If you have episode suggestions, comments or listener stories to share, please send those to us at LucidLabdPodcast@gmail.com
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Sources:
Woman Finds Out Her Boyfriend Killed Her Entire Family
https://www.truecrimeavenue.com/2025/02/the-aurora-massacre-how-joseph.html
Man sentenced to life in prison in connection with Aurora quadruple homicide
May 1918 lynchings - Wikipedia
Mary Turner, The Woman Who Was Lynched While Pregnant

In this episode, we unravel the fascinating history of a reportedly haunted American location, the Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. 
We explore the hotel's origins, from its construction in 1886 as a luxury resort for the wealthy to its transformation into a college and then into the notorious Baker Hospital, run by the fraudulent "Dr." Norman Baker in the 1930s. Baker’s claims of curing cancer led to untold suffering and deaths at the hotel. 
With all of this history, you will see why it makes sense that there might be a few restless spirits remaining in the halls and rooms of the hotel. Join us for an episode filled with history and accounts of the supernatural as we uncover why the Crescent Hotel remains a draw for ghost hunters and curious travelers from around the world. 
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Please rate and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform!
Follow Lucid Lab Podcast on social media (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube) @lucidlabpodcast
Send your questions, episode suggestions and listener stories to lucidlabpodcast@gmail.com
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Sources:
Norman G. Baker - Wikipedia
Eureka Springs, Arkansas - Wikipedia
Crescent Hotel (Eureka Springs, Arkansas) - Wikipedia
The Crescent Hotel: History of The Most Haunted Hotel in America - Somewhere In Arkansas
Con Man: The Fraud Who Claimed To Have a Cure For Cancer