In the shocking conclusion to the Dorothea Puente story, Killer Minds uncovers how a seemingly warm, grandmotherly caretaker manipulated an entire community while murdering the vulnerable people she vowed to protect. As Dorothea’s fraud escalates into calculated killings, Vanessa Richardson and Dr. …In the shocking conclusion to the Dorothea Puente story, Killer Minds uncovers how a seemingly warm, grandmotherly caretaker manipulated an entire community while murdering the vulnerable people she vowed to protect. As Dorothea’s fraud escalates into calculated killings, Vanessa Richardson and Dr. Tristin Engels trace her descent into a chilling cycle of deception, exploitation, and control. From forging letters to grieving families to burying victims in her garden, Dorothea’s crimes went unnoticed for years—until one missing tenant and one determined social worker cracked her façade. This episode follows the investigation that exposed the “Death House Landlady” and reveals the psychology behind a killer who hid in plain sight.
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Before she became one of America’s most notorious female serial killers, Dorothea Puente was a master of reinvention — a woman who survived a traumatic childhood, escaped into elaborate lies, and learned to weaponize trust. In Part 1, Killer Minds traces Dorothea’s tumultuous early life, from abuse,…Before she became one of America’s most notorious female serial killers, Dorothea Puente was a master of reinvention — a woman who survived a traumatic childhood, escaped into elaborate lies, and learned to weaponize trust. In Part 1, Killer Minds traces Dorothea’s tumultuous early life, from abuse, abandonment, and shapeshifting identities to the scams, marriages, and manipulations that set the stage for her deadly crimes. Vanessa Richardson and Dr. Tristin Engels explore how Dorothea’s need for control, admiration, and survival shaped the dangerous caretaker she would eventually become.
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She dressed like a grandmother, lied about her age, and acted like a guardian angel… while secretly killing the very people she claimed to help. At her Sacramento boarding house, Dorothea Puente took in elderly, sick and disabled tenants. But once their social security checks arrived, she killed the…She dressed like a grandmother, lied about her age, and acted like a guardian angel… while secretly killing the very people she claimed to help. At her Sacramento boarding house, Dorothea Puente took in elderly, sick and disabled tenants. But once their social security checks arrived, she killed them, then spent all their money.
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Dorothea Puente is one of the most prolific female serial killers. Using her grandmotherly demeanor and image, she used the boarding house she ran to murder her residents and cash in on their social security checks. A search of her backyard led to the discovery of seven bodies, but Puente was able t…Dorothea Puente is one of the most prolific female serial killers. Using her grandmotherly demeanor and image, she used the boarding house she ran to murder her residents and cash in on their social security checks. A search of her backyard led to the discovery of seven bodies, but Puente was able to slip out of investigators’ grasp by going out “for a cup of coffee”. Thankfully she was found in Southern California just days later and was charged with 9 murders in all. Her true victim count is unknown, as she maintained her innocence for her entire life. But the truth behind her crimes are more sinister than anyone who knew her could have ever imagined. Puente’s known victims were Benjamin Fink, Leona Carpenter, Dorothy Miller, Betty Mae Palmer, James Gallop, Vera Faye Martin, Alvaro “Bert” Gonzales Montoya, Ruth Monroe, and Everson Gillmouth.
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In 1988, Dorothea Puente, an elderly and seemingly sweet landlady in Sacramento, California, was arrested after a series of mysterious disappearances plagued her boarding house. When investigators uncovered the remains of several bodies buried on her property, the true horror of her actions came to …In 1988, Dorothea Puente, an elderly and seemingly sweet landlady in Sacramento, California, was arrested after a series of mysterious disappearances plagued her boarding house. When investigators uncovered the remains of several bodies buried on her property, the true horror of her actions came to light: she had been drugging and killing vulnerable elderly and disabled individuals under her care, cashing in on their benefits. As the full extent of her gruesome crimes emerged, a shocking pattern of manipulation and murder was revealed.more
On today's Murder Mystery Makeup we learn the story of Dorothea Puente. Dorothea lived a shady life, and her age gave her the perfect cover. I mean, who would suspect a sweet lil ol' granny of being a ruthless serial killer out for her victims' social security checks!? On…Hi friends, happy Tuesday!
On today's Murder Mystery Makeup we learn the story of Dorothea Puente. Dorothea lived a shady life, and her age gave her the perfect cover. I mean, who would suspect a sweet lil ol' granny of being a ruthless serial killer out for her victims' social security checks!? One thing's for sure: you really can't judge a book by its cover.
Also, let me know who you want me to talk about next time. Hope you have a great rest of your week, make good choices and I'll be seeing you very soon
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Bailey Sarian
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To the outside world, Dorothea Puente presented herself as a kind grandmotherly figure who cared for the disabled and vulnerable residents of her boarding house in downtown Sacramento. But behind closed doors, nothing was as it seemed…
Not only was she stealing the money of her tenant, but she was …To the outside world, Dorothea Puente presented herself as a kind grandmotherly figure who cared for the disabled and vulnerable residents of her boarding house in downtown Sacramento. But behind closed doors, nothing was as it seemed…
Not only was she stealing the money of her tenant, but she was also a serial killer. Allegedly murdering up to nine people.
In today's episode, we explore the crimes of the ‘Death House landlady’ who even after she was convicted managed to win over people with her sweet, grandmotherly ruse.
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CREDITS
Guest: Genie Ortiz, author of The Corpse Collector: The True Story of Dorothea Puente
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In the mid 1980s a nightmarish story swept the nation. One man’s disappearance in Sacramento, California, led officials to investigate a boarding house with a sinister past…and horrifying secrets buried beneath its garden.
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Dorothea is back back back again and she’s eviler than ever. She’s befriending people only to murder them slowly, she’s pretending to fall inlove with a man from her actual prison cell only to murder him and throw him in a river bank. BUT have no fear because this woman does get caught, and she gets…Dorothea is back back back again and she’s eviler than ever. She’s befriending people only to murder them slowly, she’s pretending to fall inlove with a man from her actual prison cell only to murder him and throw him in a river bank. BUT have no fear because this woman does get caught, and she gets got in a pretty poetic way if you ask us!
For anyone with information regarding Michael Vaughan’s disappearance
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Some fascinating books used:
The Bone Garden by William P. Wood
Buried Beneath The Boarding House by Ryan Green
Corpse Collector by Genova Ortiz
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Alaina brings us part one of Dorothea Puente, possibly one of the most evil humans who has ever walked the earth. Dorothea had an incredibly sad childhood, but then grew into this terrible woman who lied, cheated and scammed her way through just about everything. You will be shocked to hear how many…Alaina brings us part one of Dorothea Puente, possibly one of the most evil humans who has ever walked the earth. Dorothea had an incredibly sad childhood, but then grew into this terrible woman who lied, cheated and scammed her way through just about everything. You will be shocked to hear how many times she got away with actual law breaking offenses, Ash actually lost count halfway through the episode. And guys, this is only part one!!
Some fascinating books used:
The Bone Garden by William P. Wood
Buried Beneath The Boarding House by Ryan Green
Corpse Collector by Genova Ortiz
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You look out your window - the landlord has dug up another large hole in the backyard… they’re always doing strange gardening projects late at night.
You walk into the kitchen - there’s that smell again… the landlord says it’s new fertilizer but the smell is distinct.
There are usually 8 tenants…You look out your window - the landlord has dug up another large hole in the backyard… they’re always doing strange gardening projects late at night.
You walk into the kitchen - there’s that smell again… the landlord says it’s new fertilizer but the smell is distinct.
There are usually 8 tenants but once in a while, one will disappear without notice… what really is going on in this house?
Dorothea Puente ran a boarding house in Sacramento, California. She had perfected a technique of taking in tenants who were on government assistance, murdering them, and then fraudulently cash the checks. All the while, neighbors had no idea that dead bodies were being buried in her backyard.
Learn…Dorothea Puente ran a boarding house in Sacramento, California. She had perfected a technique of taking in tenants who were on government assistance, murdering them, and then fraudulently cash the checks. All the while, neighbors had no idea that dead bodies were being buried in her backyard.
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This is a crossover special with the hosts of Serial Killers and Female Criminals.
Dorothea Puente didn’t set out to become Sacramento, California’s most notorious female serial killer. But she did have a criminal streak that grew more sinister, culminating in the deaths of almost a dozen residents …This is a crossover special with the hosts of Serial Killers and Female Criminals.
Dorothea Puente didn’t set out to become Sacramento, California’s most notorious female serial killer. But she did have a criminal streak that grew more sinister, culminating in the deaths of almost a dozen residents of the boarding house she ran. How was she able to evade detection from family members and social workers? And how did she get away with her first murder? Listen to part 2 now on the Female Criminals feed. Part 2 will not be on the Serial Killers feed. Thanks!
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In the 1980s, Dorothea Puente ran a boarding house for tenants many of whom were elderly or mentally disabled. On the outside it appeared that Puente was providing a much needed service to individuals that may have had no where else to turn. But in reality, she was murdering these individuals so tha…In the 1980s, Dorothea Puente ran a boarding house for tenants many of whom were elderly or mentally disabled. On the outside it appeared that Puente was providing a much needed service to individuals that may have had no where else to turn. But in reality, she was murdering these individuals so that she could profit from their benefit checks long after they were dead. Join Mike and Gibby as they wade through the twists and turns of this fascinating case of Puente who become known as the "Death House Landlady". Puente may have appeared as loving grandmother to many but her lust for money ran extremely deep. Visit our website truecrimeallthetime.com for contact and merchandise information. You can help support the show by going to patreon.com/truecrimeallthetime An Emash Digital Production
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