Uncover: Calls From a Killer
CBC
What does a reporter do when they receive a cold call from one of the most horrific serial killers in Canadian history?The killer: Clifford Olson, who murdered at least eleven children in the 1980s. The reporter: Arlene Bynon, who recorded her jailhouse calls with Olson for years.Alongside legendary journalist Peter Worthington, Arlene spent hundreds of hours on the phone with Olson. It was kept secret from his prison guards; he wasn't allowed to speak to the media.In Calls From a Killer, from CBC’s Uncover, Arlene unearths secrets that have been buried for decades. Secrets about Olson's crimes, about how police failed his young victims and their families — and why law enforcement paid a psychopathic serial killer $100,000. With Nathaniel Frum — Peter's grandson — Arlene exposes hard truths about a forgotten tragedy, a bungled investigation, the loved ones left behind, and the mind of a killer. About UNCOVER: Crime. Investigation. Revelation. Uncover brings you explosive, high-caliber true crime year-round. From CIA mind control to serial abuse, mysterious disappearances to wrongful imprisonment. Each season features a new host who is deeply connected to the story, committed to tracking down the truth. With over 30 seasons to choose from, Uncover represents the best in true crime.For early access to episodes, plus ad-free listening, visit apple.co/cbctruecrime.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jul 9, 2025 • 42min
Introducing: The Outlaw Ocean S2 and The shrimp factory whistleblower
The Outlaw Ocean is an anthology podcast that plunges you into the vast and often lawless world of the open seas. Today we're featuring an investigation from S2 called The Shrimp Factory Whistleblower. In this episode, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Ian Urbina joins Josh Farenello. What started off as a dream job, slowly revealed itself to be a nightmare. Josh moved to southern India to oversee a shrimp-processing plant, but it soon dawned on him that he’d been really been hired as an American face to “whitewash” a forced-labour factory. The largely female employees were effectively trapped on the compound, routinely underpaid, and forced to live in inhumane, unsanitary conditions. Over several months, Josh meticulously gathered evidence that he brought to the Outlaw Ocean team for this exclusive exposé. More episodes of The Outlaw Ocean are available at: https://link.mgln.ai/oo-uncover
6 snips
Jun 28, 2025 • 32min
S33 E1: The Olson Tapes | Calls From a Killer
Clifford Olson, a notorious serial killer who brutally murdered eleven children in the 1980s, shares his unsettling insights during chilling phone calls from prison. The conversation reveals his manipulative nature and the emotional complexities surrounding his actions. It also encourages reflections on guilt, redemption, and the murky motivations behind his heinous crimes. This dark exploration not only addresses the impact on victims' families but also confronts the uncomfortable truths about understanding the minds of such individuals.
Jun 27, 2025 • 40min
S33 E2: Something Monstrous | Calls From a Killer
‘They called him the Candyman.’In British Columbia’s lower mainland, children are disappearing. Families are terrified as the local RCMP attempts to find out who is preying on vulnerable kids.At a time when both the public and the police don’t know how to deal with a serial killer, Clifford Olson slips through the cracks.
Jun 26, 2025 • 38min
S33 E3: The Mounties Always Get Their Man | Calls From a Killer
It’s the summer of 1981 and the RCMP have their sights set on Clifford Olson, who is well known to them as a career criminal and informant. As police investigate, kids continue to be taken. Kids like Judy Kozma, a 14-year-old who never made it home from her shift at McDonald’s. By the time he’s finally arrested, Olson has murdered at least eleven young people. The RCMP’s case against him is weak - until Olson proposes a deal. In the present day, Arlene speaks to family members of those he killed.
Jun 25, 2025 • 34min
S33 E4: Cash for Bodies | Calls From a Killer
The country is shocked to learn that a serial killer has been paid by the police - $100,000 in return for the locations of his murder victims. Even as decades have passed, opinions are split on this controversial deal. Was Clifford Olson rewarded for his heinous crimes, or was this necessary to stop the killing? And what do the architects of the deal think about it today?
Jun 24, 2025 • 40min
S33 E5: Joan | Calls From a Killer
After months speaking to Clifford Olson, Arlene is still searching for answers. So she turns her attention to his mysterious wife: the woman who received the ‘cash for bodies’ payout. She’s been attacked by the media and faces the scorn of the public - but Arlene knows there is more to Joan Olson than meets the eye.
Jun 23, 2025 • 31min
S33 E6: The Others | Calls From a Killer
Clifford Olson is serving eleven life sentences for killing eleven children. By now, Arlene has been speaking to him for years and is starting to understand this serial killer - and starting to suspect he’s guilty of more murders.Now, she just needs to get him to confess.
Jun 22, 2025 • 33min
S33 E7: The Escape | Calls From a Killer
Arlene’s patience with Clifford Olson is wearing thin until he says something truly shocking: he’s stolen a handcuff key and plans to escape.And that’s just one of many ways he’s twisted the justice system to his advantage.In the present day, Arlene and Nathaniel grapple with the devastation Olson has left in his wake. Alongside the families and loved ones of his victims, they consider why it’s important to shine light on this difficult story.
May 13, 2025 • 3min
S33 Trailer | Calls From a Killer
The voice of a killer. The truth uncovered.For years, journalist Arlene Bynon took forbidden jailhouse calls from notorious murderer Clifford Olson. Hundreds of hours of secret recordings — hidden from prison guards and the public — are now being revealed.In Uncover: Calls From a Killer, Arlene, joined by Nathaniel Frum, will expose what Olson told her, what police got wrong, and why authorities paid a serial killer $100,000. Episode 1 is coming May 20, 2025. Binge all episodes early and ad-free by becoming a subscriber here.
May 7, 2025 • 3min
Uncover: Trailer
Groundbreaking investigations. Artful storytelling. Uncover the best in true crime. Follow the show to get the latest episodes in your feed, and to explore the rich 30+ season catalogue of award-winning investigative journalism.
