The image shows a middle-aged woman with dark hair and a warm, friendly expression, standing in front of a bookshelf filled with various books.

Barbara Maranzani

Barbara Maranzani is a New York–based writer and producer covering history, politics, pop culture, and more. She is a frequent contributor to The History Channel, Biography, A&E and other publications.

Latest from this author

Crime + investigation

Albert Fish Abducted Children, Ate Their Remains and Then Confessed in Letters to His Victims' Parents

He was caught after the 1928 murder of 10-year-old Grace Budd.

6m read

MONSTER 2003 Media 8 Entertainment film with Christina Ricci at left and Charlize Theron

Crime + investigation

What 'Monster' Gets Right—and Wrong—About Aileen Wuornos and Her Crimes

The truth behind Wuornos’s life is more complicated than fiction.

6m read

Crime + investigation

Inside George Santos's Descent From Congress to Convict—and His Surprise Early Release

He lied his way into Congress and ended up behind bars.

6m read

Crime + investigation

John Wayne Gacy’s Confession: How the Truth Finally Emerged

The "Killer Clown" revealed the crimes he’d hidden for years.

6m read

Oct. 3, 2005 - USA - KRT ENTERTAINMENT STORY SLUGGED: CAPOTE KRT PHOTOGRAPH BY JEFF ROBERSON/KANSAS STAMP STAR (September 30) Headstones mark the graves of the Clutter family in Garden City, Kansas. The film ''Capote,'' is one of two new movies about the time Truman Capote spent in western Kansas researching his book ''In Cold Blood,'' based on the true murders of the Clutter family. (lj) 2005 (Credit Image: © Jeff Roberson/MCT/ZUMAPRESS.com)

Crime + investigation

The Clutter Family Murders: The Story Behind Truman Capote's 'In Cold Blood'

The 2005 movie 'Capote' detailed the killings of the Kansas family and Truman Capote's investigation into the crime.

6m read

A cluttered and disorganized interior space filled with various items, including furniture, boxes, and other miscellaneous objects, creating an overwhelming and chaotic atmosphere.

Crime + investigation

Ed Gein: Movies, Shows, Books and Podcast Episodes About the Butcher of Plainfield

What to watch, read and listen to for more of his ghastly crimes.

7m read

Crime + investigation

Living with Evil: The Women Who Married John Wayne Gacy

Gacy's outward charm fooled friends and family alike.

6m read

Bryan Kohberger Is Sentenced For Murder Of 4 University Of Idaho Students

Crime + investigation

Bryan Kohberger: All About the Ph.D. Student and the Idaho Murders He Committed

Kohberger killed four University of Idaho students in 2022.

5m read

The image shows a close-up portrait of a man with a serious expression, wearing a white shirt and a badge indicating he is from the Lee County Sheriff's Office.

Crime + investigation

Who Is Wade Wilson? The 'Deadpool Killer' Got Tattoos to Look Like a Comic Book Character

The Florida criminal's ink mirrors that of the Marvel antihero.

6m read

Ponzi Scheme Investor Madoff Appears In Federal Court

Crime + investigation

Bernie Madoff’s Massive Ponzi Scheme, Explained

The investment advisor ran a $65 billion Ponzi scheme for years.

5m read

Crime + investigation

What Happened to Al Capone? Inside His Final Years

The feared Chicago crime boss spent his last days in isolation.

5m read

Chicago Seven Defendants & Lawyers Outside Court

Crime + investigation

How the Chicago 7 Trial’s Courtroom Drama Changed America’s Justice System

Aaron Sorkin's 2020 film 'The Trial of the Chicago 7' recounts the showdown at the 1968 Democratic National Convention over the Vietnam War.

7m read

Crime + investigation

Case File: David Berkowitz

David Berkowitz’s 1977 arrest ended a year of fear in NYC.

7m read

Crime + investigation

Case File: Betty Broderick

Broderick fired five shots at her ex-husband before fleeing.

6m read

A woman with blonde hair and red lipstick appears in the foreground, with a dark background behind her.

Crime + investigation

Case File: Mary Kay Letourneau

Letourneau's affair with her student stunned America in 1997.

6m read

Crime + investigation

Case File: Charles Manson

The 1969 Manson murders marked the dark side of the ’60s.

7m read

Defense Rests In Casey Anthony Murder Trial

Crime + investigation

Case File: Casey Anthony

Caylee Anthony’s disappearance shocked the nation in 2008.

6m read

Judge Denies Peterson Petition To Drop Murder Charges

Crime + investigation

Case File: Scott Peterson

Laci Peterson vanished in 2002—Scott was later convicted.

8m read

Crime + investigation

Case File: Adnan Syed

The case of Hae Min Lee’s murder captivated the world.

7m read

This picture taken from the FBI web site

Crime + investigation

Case File: Andrew Cunanan

A fashion icon’s murder capped Cunanan’s killing spree.

6m read

Aaron Hernandez Indicted On Murder Charge

Crime + investigation

Case File: Aaron Hernandez

Hernandez’s case raised questions far beyond football.

8m read

Crime + investigation

Case File: Alex Murdaugh

The Murdaugh murders exposed a web of deceit and financial crime.

7m read