"Stranglers" podcast on Earwolf uncovers new evidence in infamous Boston Strangler crimes

NEW YORK, Nov. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- "Stranglers," the new podcast from Earwolf, investigates the heinous crime spree that gripped Boston and the nation in the 1960s. With a fresh look at the evidence, "Stranglers" asks new questions about the evidence in the drama-infused 12-part podcast for a new generation of Americans. With innovative storytelling that introduces listeners to the victims, brings them to the crime scenes and seats them at the table during the police investigation, listeners can't help but ask if the Boston Strangler was ever brought to justice.

Earwolf, the podcast network operated by parent company Midroll, created "Stranglers" in partnership with TV network, Investigation Discovery. The series explores many inconsistencies in the case, raising significant new doubts about who was responsible for the 13 horrific murders that terrorized the city from July 1962 through January 1964.The audio documentary explores the real possibility that the lone suspect in the case might not have been the only killer.

The first episode of the podcast is available now on iTunes, Stitcher and other podcast platforms.

The crimes prompted the largest police investigation in Massachusetts history. Host and journalist Portland Helmich recreates the intense atmosphere by delving closely into the lives of the victims and the graphic nature in which they all died. She re-examines the evidence and talks with surviving key figures, including the reporters who originally covered the case, the police who worked furiously to solve it, and terrified witnesses who claim to have met the Strangler himself.

Ultimately, handyman Albert DeSalvo confessed to the murders and went to prison, but he never went to trial. Through the series' twists and turns, Stranglers probes: Was DeSalvo really the killer? Was there more than one Strangler? And did the Boston Police Department and the FBI do everything necessary to find and stop the killer or killers?

"Twelve of these cases are still unsolved," said Helmich. "We're not just trying to figure out who did it, though. We're trying to put a human face on the women who died and learn from the past. This story is epic. In that sense, it's instructive, too."

"Podcasting is the perfect medium for connecting a new generation of long-form narrative journalism fans with one of the most infamous crimes of the last 100 years," said Chris Bannon, chief content officer for Midroll. "The Boston Strangler murders changed the way the media and the nation talked about crime. This sound-rich perspective on this historic story will have so much appeal for both podcasting fans and people new to the medium who love a really good story."

Helmich is an accomplished television and radio host and producer whose work has appeared on the Hallmark Channel, Oxygen, WGBH TV and Radio, NPR's "Morning Edition," NPR's "All Things Considered," and APM's "Marketplace."

"Stranglers" is a co-production of Earwolf, audio production house Northern Light Productions and Investigation Discovery.

The podcast is based on the documentary "Confessions of the Boston Strangler," produced by Investigation Discovery.

Midroll is a wholly owned subsidiary of The E.W. Scripps Company (NYSE: SSP).

The first episode of "Stranglers" is available now. Earwolf will release new episodes on Wednesdays through February, with a break on Dec. 28.

About Midroll Media 
Midroll Media is a leading podcast content company, advertising network and distribution platform that is changing the face of digital audio. It is the parent company of the Earwolf network and its top-ranked comedy podcasts; popular podcast listening platform Stitcher; the Howl premium subscription service, available at howl.fm and via apps for iOS and Android; and the Midroll advertising network, representing over 300 of the world's largest podcasts. With offices in Los Angeles, New York City and San Francisco, Midroll was founded in 2010 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of The E.W. Scripps Company (NYSE: SSP).

About Scripps
The E.W. Scripps Company (NYSE: SSP) serves audiences and businesses through a growing portfolio of television, radio and digital media brands. Scripps is one of the nation's largest independent TV station owners, with 33 television stations in 24 markets and a reach of nearly one in five U.S. households. It also owns 34 radio stations in eight markets. Scripps also runs an expanding collection of local and national digital journalism and information businesses, including multi-platform satire and humor brand Cracked, podcast industry leader Midroll Media and over-the-top video news service Newsy. Scripps also produces television shows including "THE LIST" and "The Now," runs an award-winning investigative reporting newsroom in Washington, D.C., and serves as the long-time steward of the nation's largest, most successful and longest-running educational program, the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Founded in 1878, Scripps has held for decades to the motto, "Give light and the people will find their own way."

About Investigation Discovery
Investigation Discovery (ID) is the leading mystery-and-suspense network on television. From harrowing crimes and salacious scandals to the in-depth investigations and heart-breaking mysteries behind these "real people, real stories," the always revealing network challenges our everyday understanding of culture, society and the human condition. One of our nation's fastest growing cable networks, ID delivers the highest-quality programming to more than 86 million U.S. households and is available in both high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD). For more information, please visit InvestigationDiscovery.com, facebook.com/InvestigationDiscovery, or twitter.com/DiscoveryID. Investigation Discovery is part of Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), the world's #1 pay-TV programmer reaching nearly 3 billion cumulative subscribers in 220 countries and territories.

Video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5X0-oxxF8k&feature=youtu.be 
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161115/439743

SOURCE The E.W. Scripps Company

Related Links

http://www.scripps.com