Welcome to Season 3 of Murderland Chicago: A Deep Dish of Death! Our theme this season is TRIANGLES OF TERROR—we'll explore key Chicago locations that have drawn the attention of more than their fair share of Chicagoland's serial killers. This is the first of a 2 part series on the L&L Tavern.

TW: Kidnapping, sexual assault, child abuse, torture, murder

Research sources include:

“Jeffrey Dahmer’s Life (and Death) in Prison.” Biography, 16 June 2020, https://www.biography.com/crime/jeffrey-dahmer-life-death-prison.

“Jeffrey Dahmer: A Timeline of His Murders, Arrests and Death.” Biography, 11 Aug. 2021, https://www.biography.com/crime/jeffrey-dahmer-timeline-murders.

Ap. “17 SLAYINGS TIED TO MILWAUKEE MAN.” The New York Times, 26 July 1991. NYTimes.com, https://www.nytimes.com/1991/07/26/us/17-slayings-tied-to-milwaukee-man.html.

Waxman, Olivia B. “How Police Caught Jeffrey Dahmer.” TIME, 22 July 2016, https://time.com/4412621/jeffrey-dahmer-cannibal-murderer-25th-anniversary-arrest/.

Staff, Newsweek. “Secrets of a Serial Killer.” Newsweek, 2 Feb. 1992, https://www.newsweek.com/secrets-serial-killer-200472.

Griffin, Jean Latz. “SUSPECT`S BEHAVIOR RAISED FEW QUESTIONS, CHICAGO BAR PATRONS SAY.” Chicago Tribune, 26 July 1991, https://www.chicagotribune.com/1991/07/26/suspects-behavior-raised-few-questions-chicago-bar-patrons-say/.

Staff, GoPride com News. “Survivor of Jeffrey Dahmer Charged in Man’s Death.” GoPride Chicago (ChicagoPride.Com), https://chicago.gopride.com/news/article.cfm/articleid/21084724. Accessed 23 June 2024.

It’s Hard to Forget Dahmer, but Please Remember His Victims. https://archive.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/125993113.html/. Accessed 23 June 2024.

Gottesman, Andrew, and Jodi Wilgoren. “FRIENDS RECALL WARM PERSONALITIES OF 2.” Chicago Tribune, 26 July 1991, https://www.chicagotribune.com/1991/07/26/friends-recall-warm-personalities-of-2/.

Backderf, Derf. My Friend Dahmer: A Graphic Novel. Abrams ComicArts, 2012.

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This is part 3 of our series on the deadly duo of Patricia Columbo and Frank DeLuca, who killed Columbo's family in 1976. We discuss the media aftermath of Columbo and DeLuca's convictions. We also recap season 2 and give a preview of season 3!

Howard, Clark. Love’s Blood. St. Martin’s Paperbacks, 1994.

“Woman Speaks out about 1976 Murder of Her Parents, Brother.” The Daily Journal, 8 May 2006, https://www.daily-journal.com/news/state/woman-speaks-out-about-1976-murder-of-her-parents-brother/article_da4a76ca-7eb2-5857-bb6a-ff726a92046a.html.

“Patty Columbo, Frank DeLuca up for Parole Again in Elk Grove Village Murders.” Daily Herald, 10 Jan. 2017, https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170110/news/170119902/.

“Patty Columbo Seeks Parole for Elk Grove Killings -- Again.” Daily Herald, 25 Mar. 2014, https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20140325/news/140328966/.

Press, The Associated. “Patricia Columbo Speaks from Jail.” The Quad-City Times, 7 May 2006, https://qctimes.com/news/state-and-regional/patricia-columbo-speaks-from-jail/article_5b420d08-d866-58ce-8b6f-46692ee7203b.html.

“A Young Woman and Her Married Lover Kill Her Family.” HISTORY, https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/a-young-woman-and-her-married-lover-kill-her-family. Accessed 26 Aug. 2023.

“Officials: Columbo Should Never Get Parole for Killing Family in Elk Grove.” Daily Herald, 19 May 2011, https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20110519/news/705189838/.

“Images: Historic Photos from Patty Columbo Case.” Daily Herald, 19 May 2011, https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20110519/news/705199980/.

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This is part 2 of our series on the deadly duo of Patricia Columbo and Frank DeLuca, who killed Columbo's family in 1976. We discuss how the toxic romance between Patty and DeLuca led them to plan and carry out the murder of Patty's parents and younger brother.

Howard, Clark. Love’s Blood. St. Martin’s Paperbacks, 1994.

“Woman Speaks out about 1976 Murder of Her Parents, Brother.” The Daily Journal, 8 May 2006, https://www.daily-journal.com/news/state/woman-speaks-out-about-1976-murder-of-her-parents-brother/article_da4a76ca-7eb2-5857-bb6a-ff726a92046a.html.

“Patty Columbo, Frank DeLuca up for Parole Again in Elk Grove Village Murders.” Daily Herald, 10 Jan. 2017, https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170110/news/170119902/.

“Patty Columbo Seeks Parole for Elk Grove Killings -- Again.” Daily Herald, 25 Mar. 2014, https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20140325/news/140328966/.

Press, The Associated. “Patricia Columbo Speaks from Jail.” The Quad-City Times, 7 May 2006, https://qctimes.com/news/state-and-regional/patricia-columbo-speaks-from-jail/article_5b420d08-d866-58ce-8b6f-46692ee7203b.html.

“A Young Woman and Her Married Lover Kill Her Family.” HISTORY, https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/a-young-woman-and-her-married-lover-kill-her-family. Accessed 26 Aug. 2023.

“Officials: Columbo Should Never Get Parole for Killing Family in Elk Grove.” Daily Herald, 19 May 2011, https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20110519/news/705189838/.

“Images: Historic Photos from Patty Columbo Case.” Daily Herald, 19 May 2011, https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20110519/news/705199980/.

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This is the first of our3 episode series on the deadly duo of Patricia Columbo and Frank DeLuca, who killed Columbo's family in 1976. In this episode we discuss the culture of Chicago's middle-class suburbs and cover Patty's childhood in the city, adolescence in the suburbs, and how she and Frank DeLuca met and sparked their deadly relationship.


Howard, Clark. Love’s Blood. St. Martin’s Paperbacks, 1994.

“Woman Speaks out about 1976 Murder of Her Parents, Brother.” The Daily Journal, 8 May 2006, https://www.daily-journal.com/news/state/woman-speaks-out-about-1976-murder-of-her-parents-brother/article_da4a76ca-7eb2-5857-bb6a-ff726a92046a.html.

“Patty Columbo, Frank DeLuca up for Parole Again in Elk Grove Village Murders.” Daily Herald, 10 Jan. 2017, https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170110/news/170119902/.

“Patty Columbo Seeks Parole for Elk Grove Killings -- Again.” Daily Herald, 25 Mar. 2014, https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20140325/news/140328966/.

Press, The Associated. “Patricia Columbo Speaks from Jail.” The Quad-City Times, 7 May 2006, https://qctimes.com/news/state-and-regional/patricia-columbo-speaks-from-jail/article_5b420d08-d866-58ce-8b6f-46692ee7203b.html.

“A Young Woman and Her Married Lover Kill Her Family.” HISTORY, https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/a-young-woman-and-her-married-lover-kill-her-family. Accessed 26 Aug. 2023.

“Officials: Columbo Should Never Get Parole for Killing Family in Elk Grove.” Daily Herald, 19 May 2011, https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20110519/news/705189838/.

“Images: Historic Photos from Patty Columbo Case.” Daily Herald, 19 May 2011, https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20110519/news/705199980/.

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In this episode, we discuss how 1920s era Chicago shaped the toxic relationship between Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, what led them to murder Loeb's 14 year old second cousin Bobby Franks, and why this so-called "perfect crime" was anything but.

TW: Kidnapping, sexual assault, murder, the death penalty

Research sources include:

Williams, John. Nothing but the Night. New York Review Books, 2019.

“Nathan Leopold - Loeb, Murder & Death.” Biography, 7 Apr. 2021, https://www.biography.com/crime-figure/nathan-leopold.

Leopold and Loeb | Murder, Trial, & Facts | Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Leopold-and-Loeb. Accessed 12 Aug. 2023.

US EPA, REG 05. Environmental Issues in Southeast Chicago. 8 Mar. 2017, https://www.epa.gov/il/environmental-issues-southeast-chicago.

A Short History of Hegewisch, IL | Hegewisch Neighborhood. https://www.hegewisch.net/short_history.html. Accessed 12 Aug. 2023.

Lake Profile -- WOLF LAKE. https://ifishillinois.org/profiles/waterbody.php?waternum=00084#. Accessed 12 Aug. 2023.

“A Trip to Hegewisch, Chicago’s Most Remote Neighborhood.” Chicago Magazine, https://www.chicagomag.com/city-life/a-trip-to-hegewisch-chicagos-most-remote-neighborhood/. Accessed 12 Aug. 2023.

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This is the final episode of our three part series on Larry Eyler, a serial killer who targeted gay men from the Indianapolis / Terre Haute, IN areas all the way to Chicagoland and beyond. In this episode we discuss his possible accomplice and how competing incentives among different legal players helped to ensure that the whole truth about what happened can never be brought to light.

TW: Sexual assault, torture, murder

A Current Affair Freed To Kill episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fU-EU3QYLdA

Research sources include:
Kolarik, G., & Klatt, W. Freed to Kill: The True Story of Serial Murderer Larry Eyler . Garrett County Press, 2012.

“Eyler Dies in Prison; Had AIDS Lawyer to Talk on Confessions.” Chicago Tribune, https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1994-03-07-9403070026-story.html.

“The Eyler Legacy: 21 Deaths.” Chicago Tribune, https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1994-03-09-9403090089-story.html.

“Dead Inmate's Account of 21 Killings Told.” Los Angeles Times, https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-03-09-mn-31980-story.html.

“The Return of Larry Eyler.” The Reader, https://chicagoreader.com/news-politics/the-return-of-larry-eyler/.

“Indiana Unsolved: Identities sought for 2 victims of 'The Highway Killer' Larry Eyler.” IndyStar, https://www.indystar.com/story/news/crime/2013/10/22/indiana-unsolved-identities-sought-for-2-victims-of-the-highway-killer-larry-eyler/3149123/.

“New Push to ID 3 More Victims of Serial Killer.” CBS Chicago, https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/new-push-to-id-3-victims-of-notorious-serial-killer/.

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Here is part two of our three part series on Larry Eyler, a serial killer who targeted gay men from the Indianapolis / Terre Haute, IN areas all the way to Chicagoland and beyond. In this episode we discuss his crimes, how he was caught—and freed!—in Indiana, which culminated in Eyler's arrival to the north side of Chicago.

TW: Sexual assault, child abuse, torture, murder

Research sources include:
Kolarik, G., & Klatt, W. Freed to Kill: The True Story of Serial Murderer Larry Eyler . Garrett County Press, 2012.

“Eyler Dies in Prison; Had AIDS Lawyer to Talk on Confessions.” Chicago Tribune, https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1994-03-07-9403070026-story.html.

“The Eyler Legacy: 21 Deaths.” Chicago Tribune, https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1994-03-09-9403090089-story.html.

“Dead Inmate's Account of 21 Killings Told.” Los Angeles Times, https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-03-09-mn-31980-story.html.

“The Return of Larry Eyler.” The Reader, https://chicagoreader.com/news-politics/the-return-of-larry-eyler/.

“Indiana Unsolved: Identities sought for 2 victims of 'The Highway Killer' Larry Eyler.” IndyStar, https://www.indystar.com/story/news/crime/2013/10/22/indiana-unsolved-identities-sought-for-2-victims-of-the-highway-killer-larry-eyler/3149123/.

“New Push to ID 3 More Victims of Serial Killer.” CBS Chicago, https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/new-push-to-id-3-victims-of-notorious-serial-killer/.

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Welcome to Season 2 of Murderland Chicago: A Deep Dish of Death! This is the first of a three part series on Larry Eyler, an often-overlooked serial killer who targeted gay men from the Indianapolis / Terre Haute, IN areas all the way to Chicagoland and beyond. We discuss the economic and cultural relationship between Chicago and Indiana, the leather community, and how Eyler's upbringing and young adulthood in Indiana set the stage for a years-long evasion of detectives in both Indiana and Illinois.

TW: Sexual assault, child abuse, torture, murder

Research sources include:
Kolarik, G., & Klatt, W. Freed to Kill: The True Story of Serial Murderer Larry Eyler . Garrett County Press, 2012.

“Eyler Dies in Prison; Had AIDS Lawyer to Talk on Confessions.” Chicago Tribune, https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1994-03-07-9403070026-story.html.

“The Eyler Legacy: 21 Deaths.” Chicago Tribune, https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1994-03-09-9403090089-story.html.

“Dead Inmate's Account of 21 Killings Told.” Los Angeles Times, https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-03-09-mn-31980-story.html.

“The Return of Larry Eyler.” The Reader, https://chicagoreader.com/news-politics/the-return-of-larry-eyler/.

“Indiana Unsolved: Identities sought for 2 victims of 'The Highway Killer' Larry Eyler.” IndyStar, https://www.indystar.com/story/news/crime/2013/10/22/indiana-unsolved-identities-sought-for-2-victims-of-the-highway-killer-larry-eyler/3149123/.

“New Push to ID 3 More Victims of Serial Killer.” CBS Chicago, https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/new-push-to-id-3-victims-of-notorious-serial-killer/.

Follow us on Instagram @deepdishofdeath_podcast
Find us on BlueSky @deepdishofdeath.bsky.social
Email us at deepdishofdeath@gmail.com