My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark 500 - Knot for Naught
Oct 2, 2025
This milestone discussion dives into chilling tales, starting with the unsettling Lost Women of Highway 20 and the suspected killer John Ackroyd. Emotional reflections on the journey of 500 shows intertwine with heartfelt movie recommendations for cathartic releases. Transitioning to the Hollywood Bling Ring, the hosts reveal how troubled teens exploited celebrity culture to fuel their thefts, leading to a media frenzy of arrests and trials. It's a blend of true crime and personal growth, all wrapped in humor and nostalgia.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Occupation Enabled Targeting
- John Arthur Ackroyd used his highway job to gain intimate knowledge and trust along Highway 20.
- That access let him target vulnerable women in remote stretches with little supervision or oversight.
Victim's Survival And Disbelief
- Marlene Gabrielson was raped after hitchhiking and survived by convincingly feigning affection to get home.
- Police doubted and polygraphed her, ultimately declining prosecution and retraumatizing her.
Investigative Bias Delays Justice
- Investigators initially focused on victims' private lives instead of scrutinizing likely suspects.
- That diversion delayed justice and allowed suspects like Ackroyd to remain free longer.
