DiscoverFather Wants Us Dead
Father Wants Us Dead
Claim Ownership

Father Wants Us Dead

Author: NJ.com

Subscribed: 14,880Played: 162,273
Share

Description

In 1971, a mild-mannered accountant and Sunday school teacher from New Jersey named John List murders his wife, mother and three children — only to disappear and begin a new life entirely on the other side of the country. Now, two veteran journalists go inside the mind of the killer, learn about the doomed family, and revisit the 18-year-quest to bring List to justice — a saga even more bizarre and twisted than ever previously reported.

18 Episodes
Reverse
In 1971, a mild-mannered accountant and Sunday school teacher from New Jersey named John List murders his wife, mother and three children — only to disappear and begin a new life entirely on the other side of the country. Now, two veteran journalists go inside the mind of the killer, learn about the doomed family, and revisit the 18-year-quest to bring List to justice — a saga even more bizarre and twisted than ever previously reported.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In a quiet, well-to-do New Jersey suburb in December 1971, police make a shocking discovery that sends the community reeling — and launches a national manhunt for a fugitive mass murderer. ------- 'Father Wants Us Dead' is a serial investigative true crime podcast from NJ.com and The Star-Ledger about John List, the accountant and Sunday school teacher who killed his mother, wife and three kids in their Westfield, New Jersey mansion 50 years ago. John List left behind a confession letter, explaining why what he'd done was right, and disappeared to start a whole new life, eluding authorities for nearly two decades. The loss of those innocent lives, the horror and the fear, forever scarred this quiet New Jersey community. New episodes will be released each Tuesday through June 21. For more about the show or to see photos of the List family and the crime scene, visit www.fatherwantsusdead.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
John List moved his family to New Jersey seeking a better life, but this seemingly ordinary accountant will turn out to be the scariest neighbor his town has even seen. ------- 'Father Wants Us Dead' is a serial investigative true crime podcast from NJ.com and The Star-Ledger about John List, the accountant and Sunday school teacher who killed his mother, wife and three kids in their Westfield, New Jersey mansion 50 years ago. John List left behind a confession letter, explaining why what he'd done was right, and disappeared to start a whole new life, eluding authorities for nearly two decades. The loss of those innocent lives, the horror and the fear, forever scarred this quiet New Jersey community. New episodes will be released each Tuesday through June 21. For more about the show or to see photos of the List family and the crime scene, visit www.fatherwantsusdead.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
As family and financial worries mount, John List carries on an elaborate charade — all the while contemplating the unthinkable. ------- 'Father Wants Us Dead' is a serial investigative true crime podcast from NJ.com and The Star-Ledger about John List, the accountant and Sunday school teacher who killed his mother, wife and three kids in their Westfield, New Jersey mansion 50 years ago. John List left behind a confession letter, explaining why what he'd done was right, and disappeared to start a whole new life, eluding authorities for nearly two decades. The loss of those innocent lives, the horror and the fear, forever scarred this quiet New Jersey community. New episodes will be released each Tuesday through June 21. For more about the show or to see photos of the List family and the crime scene, visit www.fatherwantsusdead.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Step by terrible step, John List systematically kills each member of his family — and then confesses everything. ------- 'Father Wants Us Dead' is a serial investigative true crime podcast from NJ.com and The Star-Ledger about John List, the accountant and Sunday school teacher who killed his mother, wife and three kids in their Westfield, New Jersey mansion 50 years ago. John List left behind a confession letter, explaining why what he'd done was right, and disappeared to start a whole new life, eluding authorities for nearly two decades. The loss of those innocent lives, the horror and the fear, forever scarred this quiet New Jersey community. New episodes will be released each Tuesday through June 21. For more about the show or to see photos of the List family and the crime scene, visit www.fatherwantsusdead.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
As police frantically search for the mysterious killer, John List slips out of one identity and into another. ------- 'Father Wants Us Dead' is a serial investigative true crime podcast from NJ.com and The Star-Ledger about John List, the accountant and Sunday school teacher who killed his mother, wife and three kids in their Westfield, New Jersey mansion 50 years ago. John List left behind a confession letter, explaining why what he'd done was right, and disappeared to start a whole new life, eluding authorities for nearly two decades. The loss of those innocent lives, the horror and the fear, forever scarred this quiet New Jersey community. New episodes will be released each Tuesday through June 21. For more about the show or to see photos of the List family and the crime scene, visit www.fatherwantsusdead.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
With the trail gone cold, police try one last gambit to find their man. ------- 'Father Wants Us Dead' is a serial investigative true crime podcast from NJ.com and The Star-Ledger about John List, the accountant and Sunday school teacher who killed his mother, wife and three kids in their Westfield, New Jersey mansion 50 years ago. John List left behind a confession letter, explaining why what he'd done was right, and disappeared to start a whole new life, eluding authorities for nearly two decades. The loss of those innocent lives, the horror and the fear, forever scarred this quiet New Jersey community. New episodes will be released each Tuesday through June 21. For more about the show or to see photos of the List family and the crime scene, visit www.fatherwantsusdead.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
18 years after the murders, a tip from an unlikely source leads authorities to John List's doorstep. ------- 'Father Wants Us Dead' is a serial investigative true crime podcast from NJ.com and The Star-Ledger about John List, the accountant and Sunday school teacher who killed his mother, wife and three kids in their Westfield, New Jersey mansion 50 years ago. John List left behind a confession letter, explaining why what he'd done was right, and disappeared to start a whole new life, eluding authorities for nearly two decades. The loss of those innocent lives, the horror and the fear, forever scarred this quiet New Jersey community. New episodes will be released each Tuesday through June 21. For more about the show or to see photos of the List family and the crime scene, visit www.fatherwantsusdead.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Episode 8: Judgment Day

Episode 8: Judgment Day

2022-06-1442:2317

Back in New Jersey to stand trial, John List makes one last attempt to stay free. ------- 'Father Wants Us Dead' is a serial investigative true crime podcast from NJ.com and The Star-Ledger about John List, the accountant and Sunday school teacher who killed his mother, wife and three kids in their Westfield, New Jersey mansion 50 years ago. John List left behind a confession letter, explaining why what he'd done was right, and disappeared to start a whole new life, eluding authorities for nearly two decades. The loss of those innocent lives, the horror and the fear, forever scarred this quiet New Jersey community. New episodes will be released each Tuesday through June 21. For more about the show or to see photos of the List family and the crime scene, visit www.fatherwantsusdead.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
50 years later, two reporters try to understand what drove John List to commit such atrocities — and the real cost. ------- 'Father Wants Us Dead' is a serial investigative true crime podcast from NJ.com and The Star-Ledger about John List, the accountant and Sunday school teacher who killed his mother, wife and three kids in their Westfield, New Jersey mansion 50 years ago. John List left behind a confession letter, explaining why what he'd done was right, and disappeared to start a whole new life, eluding authorities for nearly two decades. The loss of those innocent lives, the horror and the fear, forever scarred this quiet New Jersey community. New episodes will be released each Tuesday through June 21. For more about the show or to see photos of the List family and the crime scene, visit www.fatherwantsusdead.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A word about season one

A word about season one

2022-06-2802:154

Our hosts have some exciting news in store for “Father Wants Us Dead” fans. ------- 'Father Wants Us Dead' is a serial investigative true crime podcast from NJ.com and The Star-Ledger about John List, the accountant and Sunday school teacher who killed his mother, wife and three kids in their Westfield, New Jersey mansion 50 years ago. John List left behind a confession letter, explaining why what he'd done was right, and disappeared to start a whole new life, eluding authorities for nearly two decades. The loss of those innocent lives, the horror and the fear, forever scarred this quiet New Jersey community. For more about the show or to see photos of the List family and the crime scene, visit www.fatherwantsusdead.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Our hosts answer your questions and reveal more surprising details from the cutting room floor. ------- 'Father Wants Us Dead' is a serial investigative true crime podcast from NJ.com and The Star-Ledger about John List, the accountant and Sunday school teacher who killed his mother, wife and three kids in their Westfield, New Jersey mansion 50 years ago. John List left behind a confession letter, explaining why what he'd done was right, and disappeared to start a whole new life, eluding authorities for nearly two decades. The loss of those innocent lives, the horror and the fear, forever scarred this quiet New Jersey community. For more about the show or to see photos of the List family and the crime scene, visit www.fatherwantsusdead.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The hosts take you behind the scenes of the creation of the “Father Wants Us Dead” podcast and discuss never-before-heard interviews and outtakes from the show. ------- 'Father Wants Us Dead' is a serial investigative true crime podcast from NJ.com and The Star-Ledger about John List, the accountant and Sunday school teacher who killed his mother, wife and three kids in their Westfield, New Jersey mansion 50 years ago. John List left behind a confession letter, explaining why what he'd done was right, and disappeared to start a whole new life, eluding authorities for nearly two decades. The loss of those innocent lives, the horror and the fear, forever scarred this quiet New Jersey community. For more about the show or to see photos of the List family and the crime scene, visit www.fatherwantsusdead.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
BONUS: The Watcher

BONUS: The Watcher

2022-11-0244:402

The real story of The Watcher, Westfield’s other boogeyman, whose mysterious letters inspired the hit Netflix series. ------- 'Father Wants Us Dead' is a serial investigative true crime podcast from NJ.com and The Star-Ledger about John List, the accountant and Sunday school teacher who killed his mother, wife and three kids in their Westfield, New Jersey mansion 50 years ago. John List left behind a confession letter, explaining why what he'd done was right, and disappeared to start a whole new life, eluding authorities for nearly two decades. The loss of those innocent lives, the horror and the fear, forever scarred this quiet New Jersey community. For more about the show or to see photos of the List family and the crime scene, visit www.fatherwantsusdead.com. Check out Reeves Weideman's New York Magazine article from 2018 and his most recent update to the story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
“Firecracker, a new true crime podcast from NJ.com's sister news site Syracuse.com, is a deep dive into a horrific 27-year-old crime. When police saw what was left of Carol Ryan’s body, dumped in the driveway of a suburban compost site in September of 1996, they wondered what weapon could cause that level of devastation. The truth was grislier than anyone imagined. Carol’s only son blames police. After hundreds of interviews, investigators couldn’t make any leads stick. Three cops believe they know the man who killed Carol. He’s still out there. But they haven’t been able to prove it. The lead detective calls it the greatest regret of his career.  This six-part podcast from syracuse.com explores the death and life of Carol Ryan and the chilling effect her unsolved murder had on a community. Reporter Katrina Tulloch spent over a year digging into the case, interviewing 30 people including law enforcement, medical professionals, industry experts, witnesses and people who knew Carol.   The podcast outlines how Carol spent the hours leading up to her murder, how first responders bungled the crime scene, the challenges police have faced in trying to find her killer, and how DNA technology could break open the case any day.  “Firecracker” is available exclusively and ad-free on Wondery+, the premium podcast subscription from Wondery. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
From the creators of FATHER WANTS US DEAD comes a gripping new true crime series dropping June 5. The matriarch of a prominent Princeton family is found stabbed to death in her locked basement in 1989. Why would anyone want to kill Cissy Stuart, one of the Ivy league town’s most well-known characters? The shocking investigation sprawls across decades, as police turn their attention from a serial attacker, to her son, to a group of Princeton University students who said they were at a Grateful Dead concert at the time of the killing.  The hot-blooded investigator sees a conspiracy. Is he way off base? Or does privilege let you get away with murder?  Listen to In the Shadow of Princeton starting June 5 exclusively and ad-free by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App or Apple Podcasts. Start your free trial today by visiting https://wondery.com/links/in-the-shadow-of-princeton/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
An excerpt of the first episode of the new podcast by the creators of Father Wants Us Dead. The matriarch of a prominent Princeton family is found stabbed to death in her locked basement in 1989. Why would anyone want to kill Cissy Stuart, one of the Ivy league town’s most well-known characters? The shocking investigation sprawls across decades, as police turn their attention from a serial attacker, to her son, to a group of Princeton University students who said they were at a Grateful Dead concert at the time of the killing. The hot-blooded investigator sees a conspiracy. Is he way off base? Or does privilege let you get away with murder? Listen to In the Shadow of Princeton exclusively and ad-free by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App or Apple Podcasts. Start your free trial today by visiting https://wondery.com/links/in-the-shadow-of-princeton. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
If you liked 'Father Wants Us Dead,' check out this new podcast series that dives into another unfathomable family annihilation. In 2001, Robert Fisher killed his family, blew up their suburban home, and vanished in a remote Arizona forest. Did he die — or escape? Listen to 'Missing in Arizona' wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Comments (23)

Clinton Allen

I must say I thoroughly enjoyed this podcast once the momentum got going. Well researched and comprehensive. I will say it may have not needed as many episodes as it took but I get what the purpose was to accomplish.

Sep 23rd
Reply

Khrystyne Heasley

That was an amazing podcast! Excellent listen!

Jan 9th
Reply

Vicki Gish

I am very annoyed by the advertisement for governor DeSantis (the second of the episode). Florida is not stronger and free-er because of him. Women are not, children are not, gay people are not, transgender people are not, people of color are not. Only white, rich guys are. I only just started listening to this podcast but am considering dropping it because of this ad.

Nov 2nd
Reply (2)

Me

Kinda disappointed you went to Dolores' house. If my 80 year old mother had gotten an unexpected visitor, asking about a horrible time in her life, she would have had heart palpitations. Plus, she ignored all her mail, so it would have be doubly anxiety inducing to her! 🤷‍♀️

Oct 10th
Reply

Tamika Honeyeyez Jones

It is morbid to say, but I loved this series. The detail and the commentary is absolutely well done. Thank you. I didn't know the backstory. All I knew was his face on John Walsh's show.

Oct 8th
Reply

Alaska

"if that doesn't make you lock your door what does?" Uh, why wouthat make you lock your doors? The murderer wasn't from outside. He was right inside the house.

Sep 6th
Reply (1)

Kelly Allio

Overall, this is a very good and well researched podcast. The first episode is really slow, but it does pick up speed.

Aug 24th
Reply

JFH2020

I know I first tuned in because of the great title. I had never heard of John List. The name sounded familiar, but I did not know it after all. Thank you for doing this. So...what's next???

Aug 3rd
Reply

JFH2020

And I have thoroughly enjoyed binging this today. Great job!

Aug 2nd
Reply

JFH2020

People will probably always remember, just as they will always remember serial killers.

Aug 2nd
Reply

Cassidy Shannon

would love to give this series another try if they can get the audio sorted

Jul 20th
Reply

SugarFoot

Very good investigation. This story has always intrigued me and I think these ladies did it justice. Looking forward to more stories from this talented duo.

Jul 7th
Reply

Vitor Bovo

I love it! Anxiously wait for the new episodes every week.

Jun 16th
Reply

Warriorwolfette

The background music is atrociously loud.

May 31st
Reply (2)

J J

Really enjoying the podcast. It seems like it was well researched especially for a story that is 50 years old. They interviewed lots of people associated with the family, and provided background on the family. I did not find that there was "filler" as other comment stated.

May 28th
Reply

jessica burkhardt

So much filler… not enough facts… just come on with the storyline🤷‍♀️

May 24th
Reply (2)