92 – Gary Heidnik and Olga of Kiev

Jeff tells the disturbing story of Gary Heidnik, an American murderer whose crimes shocked Philadelphia in the late 1980s. Heidnik abducted six women and held them captive in the basement of his home, where he subjected them to horrific torture and abuse. Two of the women were murdered during the ordeal.

The case came to light in 1987 when one of the captives managed to escape and alert police, leading authorities to uncover the gruesome “house of horrors.” The investigation revealed the extent of Heidnik’s cruelty and the unimaginable suffering endured by the victims, making the case one of the most infamous in Philadelphia’s criminal history.

Sam shares the story of Olga of Kiev, the fierce 10th-century ruler of Kievan Rus' who became legendary for her ruthless vengeance. After her husband, Prince Igor, was murdered by the Drevlians, Olga launched a calculated and brutal campaign of retribution against them—burning cities, executing envoys, and securing her power as regent. Despite her violent path to authority, she later converted to Christianity and was eventually canonized as a saint, earning the title “Equal to the Apostles” in the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Visit us on Linktree for the collection of links, Instagram, or email us at [e-mail].

Sources

Jeff’s Sources (Gary Heidnik):

• History.com – Torture Chamber Uncovered in Philadelphia
  https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/march-25/torture-chamber-uncovered-in-philadelphia
• Green, R. (2025). The Pit: The True Crime Story of Six Women, One Monster, and the Nightmare Below. Ryan Green Books.
• The Casual Criminalist episode on Gary Heidnik
  https://youtu.be/npaEJB0ciE4?si=vlDRzJ66Jsin9nN3

Sam’s Sources (Olga of Kiev):

• https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Olga-of-Kiev
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olga_of_Kiev
• https://www.worldhistory.org/Olga_of_Kiev/