Algorithm
When Afrikka Hardy was strangled in 2014 it seemed completely random, but it wasn’t. It was part of a pattern.
Four years earlier, reporter Thomas Hargrove had created an algorithm to detect serial killers and flagged Gary, Indiana as the site of an unusual number of strangulations.
But when Hargrove reached out to warn local police, he was ignored -- until Afrikka Hardy was murdered, and those cold cases suddenly didn’t look so cold.
Algorithm follows the investigation into Afrikka’s murder, exposing the warnings that police ignored, and uncovering more than anyone expected -- that a serial killer was strangling women in Gary, Indiana could've been stopped. And that Afrikka Hardy should be alive today.
This podcast will explore how technology can be used to identify and track serial killers, and how an algorithm can influence the way homicides are investigated all across the country.
Episodes
Up and Vanished: In The Midnight Sun Returns
Up and Vanished: In The Midnight Sun is Part 2 is here! Payne has spent the last year in Nome, Alaska, investigating the case of Native Alaskan Florence Okpealuk, who went missing in 2020. This case is unlike any other he has covered and has taken him all the way to the Arctic Circle and back. After combing through tips and new leads, Payne is now back with new episodes to take us deep into what he has uncovered in Florence’s case. And that is not the only case he has uncovered in the small town of Nome. Listen to Up and Vanished: In The Midnight SunSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
27/08/24•1m 0s
DNA
What happened to the DNA evidence associated with Hargrove's list. And what happened to Gary's backlogged rape kits?Follow host Ben Kuebrich on twitter @Ben_kuebrich, and follow the algorithm podcast on twitter, instagram, or facebook.Reach out with any tips or suggestions for other clusters of murders to explore on social media or by leaving a voicemail at 888-501-3309.And if you want more episodes -- please leave a review, letting us know you liked the show on apple podcasts! Hopefully, we'll be back with more episodes soon. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
01/09/21•45m 53s
New Confessions
Ben receives a letter from Vann agreeing to an interview. Ben talks to Kasich about Vann and why he plead to life in prison after wanting to be executed. And a mysterious caller describes another victim and sheds possible light on Vann's motivations.Find out more about the case on twitter, instagram, or facebook. Follow host Ben Kuebrich on twitter @Ben_kuebrich.Reach out with any tips or suggestions for other clusters of murders to explore on social media or by leaving a voicemail at 888-501-3309. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
24/08/21•33m 7s
The Chicago Connection
Ben investigates some of the cold cases that Hargrove identified and explores Darren Vann's connection to killings in Chicago.Find out more about the case on twitter, instagram, or facebook. Follow host Ben Kuebrich on twitter @Ben_kuebrich.Reach out with any tips or suggestions for other clusters of murders to explore on social media or by leaving a voicemail at 888-501-3309. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
17/08/21•30m 58s
Bonus | Q&A
Ben listens to voicemails and answers listener questions.You can leave a voicemail of your own at 888-501-3309. Or ask a question or leave a tip on twitter, instagram, or facebook. Follow host Ben Kuebrich on twitter @Ben_kuebrich. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
10/08/21•22m 59s
The Survivor
One woman escapes Vann and tries to warn the police, but they don't listen.Find out more about the case on twitter, instagram, or facebook. Follow host Ben Kuebrich on twitter @Ben_kuebrich.Reach out with any tips on Darren Vann or crimes that might be related on social media or by leaving a voicemail at 888-501-3309. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
03/08/21•32m 14s
Marvin and Teaira
After Vann returns to Gary, Marvin Clinton's fiance Teaira Batey disappears. Frustrated with the police, Marvin starts investigating on his own.Find out more about the case on twitter, instagram, or facebook. Follow host Ben Kuebrich on twitter @Ben_kuebrich.Reach out with any tips on Darren Vann, China, or crimes that might be related on social media or by leaving a voicemail at 888-501-3309. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
27/07/21•29m 2s
Red Flags
After the death of Vann's child, Vann snaps. He's arrested twice for horrific crimes, once in Gary and then in Austin.Find out more about the case on twitter, instagram, or facebook. Follow host Ben Kuebrich on twitter @Ben_kuebrich. And reach out with any tips on Darren Vann, Big E, or crimes that might be related on social media or by leaving a voicemail at 888-501-3309. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
20/07/21•28m 48s
Vann's Early Crimes
Detective Ford interrogates Vann about his past and tries to determine how many Vann has really killed... And what can we learn from Vann's ex-wife, stepson, and ex-girlfriend?Find out more about the case on twitter, instagram, or facebook. Follow host Ben Kuebrich on twitter @Ben_kuebrich. And reach out with any tips on Darren Vann, Big E, or crimes that might be related on social media or by leaving a voicemail at 888-501-3309. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
13/07/21•29m 43s
The Death March
The Death March Continues as Darren Vann leads detectives to more victims... but it's unclear if he's telling the whole truth about his crimes ...Find out more about the case on twitter, instagram, or facebook. Follow host Ben Kuebrich on twitter. And reach out with any tips on Darren Vann, Big E, or crimes that might be related on social media or by leaving us a voicemail at 888-501-3309. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
06/07/21•33m 29s
The Suspect
Detective Ford investigates Afrikka's killer... and discovers the killer may be connected to even more murders.Find out more about the case on twitter, instagram, or facebook. Follow host Ben Kuebrich on twitter. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
29/06/21•33m 34s
Cold Cases
Jackie investigates the cases Hargrove's algorithm identified. But there aren't any major leads... until Afrikka's murder.What really happened the night Afrikka was killed?Find out more about the case on twitter, instagram, or facebook. And follow host Ben Kuebrich on twitter. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
22/06/21•31m 51s
The Algorithm
Four years before Afrikka's Death, reporter Thomas Hargrove took clues from the Atlanta child murders and the Green River Killer and created an algorithm to detect serial killers. His algorithm flagged Gary, Indiana as the site of an unusual number of strangulations. But how did this algorithm work, and what came of the findings?Thomas Hargrove discusses the creation of the algorithm and Dr. Mike Aamodt talks serial killing stats. Finally, host Ben Kuebrich receives an unexpected phone call.Subscribe to Algorithm now, so you don't miss an episode and leave a review! This is a brand new show that could really use your help. Also, follow host Ben Kuebrich on Twitter for more information about the case. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
15/06/21•33m 40s
Afrikka Didn't Need to Die
When Afrikka Hardy was strangled in 2014 it seemed completely random. But it wasn’t. It was part of a pattern.Lori Townsend reminisces about her daughter Afrikka, and journalist Thomas Hargrove says Afrikka's death could've been prevented.Subscribe to Algorithm now, so you don't miss an episode, and follow host Ben Kuebrich on twitter for more information about the case. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
15/06/21•32m 48s
Algorithm
When Afrikka Hardy was murdered, it seemed completely random. But it wasn't. It was part of a pattern. And police had been warned that a serial killer was on the loose in Indiana. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
08/06/21•2m 9s
Teaser: Algorithm
Can an algorithm connect cold cases -- and help catch a modern serial killer? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
28/05/21•1m 36s
