Former gambling king of London turned owner of the deadliest zoo in history, Lord Aspinall, is the guest. The podcast delves into Lord Aspinall's unique approach to animal care, his far-right beliefs, and his disturbing admiration for Hitler's eugenics ideas. It also explores his involvement in clandestine acquisitions, toxic social circles, and the tragic death of a gorilla in his zoo.
Read more
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
auto_awesome
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
Lord Lucan's murder plan involved collusion and support from his gambling club friends, who provided resources and assistance for the crime.
The members of Lord Lucan's gambling club, known as the Claremont set, were obsessed with extreme right-wing ideologies and believed in a socialist conspiracy in Britain.
John Aspenall, a wealthy entrepreneur and friend of Lord Lucan, had a controversial approach to animal care at his zoos, raising questions about ethics and safety.
Deep dives
Lord Lucan plans to murder his wife
Lord Lucan, along with his gambling buddies, hatches a plan to murder his wife in late 1974. Lucan is obsessed with rescuing his children and believes that murdering his wife will solve his problems. He openly discusses the plan with his friends, who provide him with resources such as a car and money to carry out the murder. The plan involves bashing his wife's head, disposing of her body in the ocean, and living happily ever after with his children. The Claremont Club, to which Lucan and his friends belong, becomes embroiled in this murder conspiracy.
The toxic beliefs and conspiracy theories of the Claremont set
The members of the Claremont set, including Lord Lucan, become increasingly obsessed with fascist ideologies, communism, and the supposed socialist conspiracy they believe has taken over Britain under a Labour government. Their discussions involve extreme right-wing views, talk of hanging and flogging, and even proposed military coups. The Claremont set's mindset is shaped by Lord Lucan's racists and Nazi guerrilla theories, as well as their common disdain for the socialist government in power.
The involvement of other members of the Claremont Club
Lord Lucan's murder plan is not a solo endeavor. Other members of the Claremont Club are implicated in the conspiracy, offering resources and assistance for the murder. Their involvement includes loans of money, provision of a car, and potentially connections to organized crime. There is a sense of collusion and support within this close-knit group, as they plan and discuss the murder plot and the subsequent disposal of the body.
The Dark and Disturbing World of John Aspenall
John Aspenall, a wealthy British entrepreneur, gained fame for his ownership of Howlitz Zoo and his involvement in the world of gambling. Aspenall's friendship with Lord Luccan, a notorious murderer, and their shared right-wing beliefs became a focal point of Aspenall's social circle. Aspenall's zoo and his close interactions with dangerous animals were a source of fascination and concern. The tragic deaths of several zookeepers and his controversial approach to animal care raised questions about his methods. Despite his eccentricities, Aspenall's zoos became renowned breeding centers for endangered species, leading to successful reintroductions into the wild.
The Troubled Life and Mysterious Disappearance of Lord Luccan
Lord Luccan, a member of Aspenall's social circle, committed a brutal murder of his children's nanny and attempted to harm his wife before disappearing mysteriously. Speculations about Luccan's fate, including suicide or murder, have persisted over the years. Aspenall's friendship with Luccan raised concerns about his own character and moral judgment. While Aspenall's obsession with his zoo and its wildlife became well-known, his association with dangerous animals and tragic incidents, such as the deaths of zookeepers and visitors, overshadowed his successes in breeding endangered species, leading to questions about the ethics and safety of his approach.