Criminally Absurd is a comedy podcast that brings awareness to true crime cases with a side of our absurd lives. If you like true crime with some tangents, this may be the perfect podcast for you!
46-Kidnapped in Plain Sight: The Story of Virginia Piper
Episode 46- Kidnapped in Plain Sight: The Story of Virginia Piper
On July 27, 1972, Virginia Piper, a socialite wife of investment banker Harry “Bobby” Piper, Bobby who was the chairman of Piper Jaffrey and Hopwood Brokerage in Minneapolis,
was kidnapped in broad daylight from the garden of her own estate. She was kidnapped by 2 men wearing ski masks and each had 2 guns.
The ransom: $1 million in unmarked bills — one of the largest ever demanded in the United States at the time. Her husband personally delivered the ransom money of 1million dollars - all in $20 dollar bills. He brought the ransom to a back alley of a Minneapolis bar.
Two days later, Virginia was found handcuffed and chained to a tree in Jay Cooke State Park which is near Duluth. The ransom was paid, but the case remains officially unsolved.
The information presented in this episode is from sources
from the most reliable accounts available on the web, inducing an article from the Star Tribune:
https://www.startribune.com/50-years-later-the-virginia-piper-kidnapping-remains-a-minnesota-mystery/600173322
An Article from the Medium:
https://keithstone.org/true-crime-made-personal-through-genealogy-c0d233d35f84
An Article from Fox 9 News:
https://www.fox9.com/news/a-million-dollar-secret-is-the-piper-kidnapping-ransom-buried-in-willow-river
Crimes of the Centuries: Feb 1, 2021 - The Million-Dollar Kidnapping of Ginny Piper
Book: Stolen from the Garden, by William Swanson
Photos include: A photo of Virginia, Harry “Bobby” and their three sons, Tad, David and Harry Piper III, a photo of Virginia, and a photo of Virginia Piper when found at Jay Cooke State Park.
12 Mar 2026
Episode 45-The Absurd Report: Utah Killings, Children’s bodies in Suitcases, and Prank Gone Wrong
Episode 45-The Absurd Report: Utah Killings, Children’s bodies in Suitcases, and Prank Gone Wrong
This week we are diving into the murders of Margaret Oldroyd, Natalie Graves, and Linda Dewey, the murders of Mila Chatman and Amor Wilson, and the tragic death of Jason Hughes.
We will hit the key facts, the twists, and the questions that still don’t sit right - all while giving our take as we talk through each crime.
Catch up, stay informed, and join us for another round of the absurd.
Sources for the murders of Margaret Oldroyd, Natalie Graves, and Linda Dewey:
An article from KSL:
https://www.ksl.com/article/51457662/3-utah-women-were-killed-at-random-for-their-vehicles-police-say
An article from KMVT:
https://www.kmvt.com/2026/03/06/man-charged-with-killing-3-women-wanted-their-cars-money-get-home-prosecutors-allege/
An article from NBC News:
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/2-women-bonding-beauty-hike-killed-utah-family-says-rcna262191
Sources for the Amor Wilson and Mila Chatman murders:
An article from NBC News:
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/cleveland-playground-now-place-mourning-two-girls-found-suitcases-rcna262101
An article from Fox 13 News:
https://www.fox13news.com/news/mother-2-girls-found-buried-suitcases-charged-murder
Sources for the Jason Hughes tragedy:
An article from 11 Alive News:
https://www.11alive.com/article/news/crime/18-year-old-gainesville-teen-charged-hall-county-teacher-killed-prank/85-107fb3f7-5666-4d3a-b6e6-9220a59915a5
An article from NY Post:
https://nypost.com/2026/03/09/us-news/family-of-georgia-teacher-killed-in-prank-gone-wrong-wants-charges-against-teens-dropped-to-prevent-a-separate-tragedy/
5 Mar 2026
44-A Murdered Mother and Missing Baby: The Story of Christine Holloway and Vanessa Morales
Episode 44: A Murdered Mother and Missing Baby: The Story of Christine Holloway and Vanessa Morales
Today we’re discussing the brutal 2019 murder of 43-year-old Christine Holloway in Ansonia, Connecticut—and the still-unsolved disappearance of her 14-month-old daughter, Vanessa Morales.
When Christine failed to show up for work, police discovered her beaten to death in her own home, while baby Vanessa had vanished without a trace. Christine’s boyfriend and Vanessa’s father, Jose Morales, gave multiple conflicting stories—including a bizarre claim that intruders broke in while he was high on PCP.
Despite being convicted of Christine’s murder in 2025, Vanessa has never been found. In this episode, we break down the suspicious timeline, the evidence that unraveled Jose’s story, and the ongoing mystery of what happened to Vanessa.
If you have any information about the whereabouts of Vanessa Morales, please contact the Ansonia Police at. 203-735-1885.
The information presented in this episode is from sources from he most reliable accounts available on the web, including an article on CBS News:
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jose-morales-christine-holloway-connecticut-murder-sentencing/ (https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jose-morales-christine-holloway-connecticut-murder-sentencing/)
An article from WTNH:
https://www.wtnh.com/news/connecticut/new-haven/search-continues-for-vanessa-morales-6-years-after-mothers-murder/#:~:text=ANSONIA, Conn.,2, 2019.
Information on the Charley Project Website:
https://charleyproject.org/case/vanessa-morales (https://charleyproject.org/case/vanessa-morales)
An article on Fox61:
https://www.fox61.com/article/news/local/new-haven-county/christine-holloway-jose-morales-vanessa-trial-connecticut-ansonia/520-183fe604-579b-4621-a2b7-22039608d878 (https://www.fox61.com/article/news/local/new-haven-county/christine-holloway-jose-morales-vanessa-trial-connecticut-ansonia/520-183fe604-579b-4621-a2b7-22039608d878)
An article on CTPost:
https://www.ctpost.com/news/article/jose-morales-trial-day-1-holloway-ansonia-murder-20262316.php (https://www.ctpost.com/news/article/jose-morales-trial-day-1-holloway-ansonia-murder-20262316.php)
An article from NBC Connecticut News:
https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/forensic-examiners-provide-insight-testimony-jose-morales-trial/3541342/
Photos: A photo of Vanessa and Christine, a photo of Vanessa, and an age progression photo of Vanessa.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
3.7 / 5
15 ratings
Spotify
4.5 / 5
16 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 23 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
26
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
50
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