Last Podcast On The Left
Last Podcast On The Left
"He's a missionary killer. Which, unfortunately, is the most boring sex style. But it's one of the more interesting serial killer times." — Ben Kissel
"Prosecutors described Popkov as having, quote, 'a pathological attraction to killing people.'" — Ben Kissel
"Be careful in Colorado, though, folks. I had a... I had one of those drinks. It was like an orange drink. Each ounce was 100 milligrams. You got to read the label." — Ben Kissel
The episode commences with a discussion of the documentary "Hunt for the Skinwalker" and touches upon UFO research, before pivoting to the compelling case of Mikhail Popkov, a former Russian police officer convicted of numerous murders. Popkov, known as "The Werewolf," confessed to 56 additional murders, bringing his total to 78. The hosts explore his modus operandi, targeting women after offering them rides, and his self-proclaimed mission to "cleanse" those he deemed to be living a "debauched lifestyle." The conversation then shifts to Popkov's sentencing and the brutal conditions of Russia's "Black Dolphin" supermax prison.
The narrative moves to a disturbing case in Colorado where a man, Joseph Lopez, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder after responding to a Craigslist ad seeking a "hit on myself." Lopez was hired by the victim, Natalie Ballinger, to kill her. The hosts analyze the implications of such an ad and the predator-like response it elicited, contrasting it with potential legal defenses. The discussion briefly touches on the Menendez brothers and their presence at a New York Knicks game, as well as a humorous anecdote about a baseball card error featuring a profanity.
Finally, the episode addresses several other true crime and societal issues. A significant portion is dedicated to the Chris Watts case, where he murdered his pregnant wife and two daughters. The hosts dissect Watts's attempts to mislead investigators and his elaborate deception. They also discuss an incident at an Amazon warehouse in New Jersey where bear repellent fumes hospitalized employees due to a robot malfunction, linking it to broader concerns about workplace safety and automation. The episode concludes with a debunked story about an alien-themed sexual assault and a listener-submitted anecdote about the potent effects of laxative tea.