Case 95
The Vampire of Krakow
Case 95
The Vampire of Krakow
Tales of vampires have been found in nearly every culture around the world, dating back centuries. In 17th and 18th century Poland, belief in such legends was rife.
Rumours of vampire sightings and attacks led to public executions.
Professional vampire hunters traversed towns carrying kits stocked with crucifixes, holy water, rope, mallets, and stakes.
When word of the vampire epidemic reached Empress Maria Theresa, she sent her personal physician to investigate the claims.
Stories of the dead rising were quickly attributed to premature burials. Savage and blood-thirsty attacks were likely the result of persons suffering from rabies.
Numerous localised deaths were merely coincidental, possibly due to the spread of disease. Signs of vampirism in corpses was linked to misinterpretation and ignorance of decomposition.
The physician of Empress Maria Theresa concluded that vampires were not real. Following this revelation, the Empress passed laws prohibiting the opening of graves and desecration of bodies – heralding the end of the vampire hysteria.
Vampires returned to the status of horror folklore, with people accepting that such monsters never have, and never could, exist…
________
Our episodes deal with serious and often distressing incidents. If you feel at anytime you need support, please contact your local crisis centre. Some suggestions for confidential support for men, women and children:
AUSTRALIA:
Lifeline Crisis Support: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: Depression and anxiety support: 1300 22 46 36
Rape & Domestic Violence Services: 1800 737 732
Men's Line: 1300 78 99 78
Headspace: Youth Mental Health Foundation: see headspace.org.au for your local centre
USA:
Distress & Lifeline: 1800 273 8255
Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741 741
Domestic Violence Helpline: 1800 799 7233
Victim Connect: support for victims of crime: 855 484 2846
UK:
Mind: mental health support: 0300 123 3393
SANE: mental health support: 0300 304 7000
Samaritans support network: 116 123
National Stalking Helpline: 0808 802 0300
CANADA:
For a list of Canadian crisis centres: https://thelifelinecanada.ca/help/call/
NEW ZEALAND:
Lifeline: 0800 543354
Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (Text 4202)
CREDITS
NARRATION:
Episode narrated by the Anonymous Host
EPISODE:
Episode researched by Paulina Szymanska and Mike Migas
Episode written by Elsha McGill
Additional writing by Milly Raso
MUSIC:
‘Flatline intro’ and ‘Come play with me’ intro and outro www.dl-sounds.com
All other music and audio clean up performed by Mike Migas
OTHER:
Logo design by Paulina Szymanska
RESOURCES
BOOKS:
Kto zabija czlowieka – najglosniejsze procesy w powojennej Polsce – Boguslaw Sygit, 1989
Obraz Krakowa lat 60-tych we wspomnieniach z dziecinstwa – Leszek Grabowski, 2018
Sad Orzekl – Maria Osiadacz, 1971
Trzy Wyroki – Andrzej Snopkowski, 1982
Bestie: Zbrodnie i Kary – Janusz Jastrzebski, 2007
VIDEOS:
Seryjni Mordercy – Byl Sobie Chlopiec 2008
Bestie w ludzkiej skorze – Karol Kot – Wampir z Krakowa
Paragraf 128 – Kara Smierci – Karol Kot
MAGAZINES:
POLICJA 997 ‘Milosnik krwi’ – August, 2008
Nasza Historia, Dziennik Polski – March, 2015
ARTICLES:
Wampir i psychoza strachu w Krakowie
Wampir z Krakowa – Onet
Powrot mordercy, ktorego bala sie cala Polska – Fakt
“Wampir z Krakowa”. Nastolatek, który marzył o masowych mordach – Wprost
Karol Kot – Wampir z Krakowa – Interia
Wampir z Krakowa – Morderca o twarzy dziecka
Karol Kot: Krakow’s Teen Vampire
Karol Kot – Crime Files
Polscy seryjni mordercy – Karol Kot
Seryjni mordercy – teraz Polska – Vice
Mordercy seryjni – Kot Karol
“Wtedy postanowiłem, że zrobię jej gzi… gzi…” – TVN24
Jagiellonian University Overview
Polska w latach 60 XX wieku – wywiad
Złote lata 60. Jak zmienił się świat
“Mala stabilizacja” – Wladza i spoleczenstwo przelomu lat 50′ i 60′
Roma Ligocka i jej Kraków lat 60.
THIS EPISODE’S SPONSORS
CBS One Dollar – A new CBS mystery thriller drama web television series; free trial of CBS All Access
Away: First class luggage at a coach price – $20 off the suitcase with promo code ‘casefile’
Casper – Offer code ‘casefile’ for $50 off select mattresses
Tales of vampires have been found in nearly every culture around the world, dating back centuries. In 17th and 18th century Poland, belief in such legends was rife.
Rumours of vampire sightings and attacks led to public executions.
Professional vampire hunters traversed towns carrying kits stocked with crucifixes, holy water, rope, mallets, and stakes.
When word of the vampire epidemic reached Empress Maria Theresa, she sent her personal physician to investigate the claims.
Stories of the dead rising were quickly attributed to premature burials. Savage and blood-thirsty attacks were likely the result of persons suffering from rabies.
Numerous localised deaths were merely coincidental, possibly due to the spread of disease. Signs of vampirism in corpses was linked to misinterpretation and ignorance of decomposition.
The physician of Empress Maria Theresa concluded that vampires were not real. Following this revelation, the Empress passed laws prohibiting the opening of graves and desecration of bodies – heralding the end of the vampire hysteria.
Vampires returned to the status of horror folklore, with people accepting that such monsters never have, and never could, exist…
______
Our episodes deal with serious and often distressing incidents. If you feel at anytime you need support, please contact your local crisis centre. Some suggestions for confidential support for men, women and children:
AUSTRALIA:
Lifeline Crisis Support: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: Depression and anxiety support: 1300 22 46 36
Rape & Domestic Violence Services: 1800 737 732
Men's Line: 1300 78 99 78
Headspace: Youth Mental Health Foundation: see headspace.org.au for your local centre
USA:
Distress & Lifeline: 1800 273 8255
Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741 741
Domestic Violence Helpline: 1800 799 7233
Victim Connect: support for victims of crime: 855 484 2846
UK:
Mind: mental health support: 0300 123 3393
SANE: mental health support: 0300 304 7000
Samaritans support network: 116 123
National Stalking Helpline: 0808 802 0300
CANADA:
For a list of Canadian crisis centres: https://thelifelinecanada.ca/help/call
NEW ZEALAND:
Lifeline: 0800 543354
Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (Text 4202)
CREDITS
NARRATION:
Episode narrated by the Anonymous Host
EPISODE:
Episode researched by Paulina Szymanska and Mike Migas
Episode written by Elsha McGill
Additional writing by Milly Raso
MUSIC:
‘Flatline intro’ and ‘Come play with me’ intro and outro www.dl-sounds.com
All other music and audio clean up performed by Mike Migas
OTHER:
Logo design by Paulina Szymanska
RESOURCES
BOOKS:
Kto zabija czlowieka – najglosniejsze procesy w powojennej Polsce – Boguslaw Sygit, 1989
Obraz Krakowa lat 60-tych we wspomnieniach z dziecinstwa – Leszek Grabowski, 2018
Sad Orzekl – Maria Osiadacz, 1971
Trzy Wyroki – Andrzej Snopkowski, 1982
Bestie: Zbrodnie i Kary – Janusz Jastrzebski, 2007
VIDEOS:
Seryjni Mordercy – Byl Sobie Chlopiec 2008
Bestie w ludzkiej skorze – Karol Kot – Wampir z Krakowa
Paragraf 128 – Kara Smierci – Karol Kot
MAGAZINES:
POLICJA 997 ‘Milosnik krwi’ – August, 2008
Nasza Historia, Dziennik Polski – March, 2015
ARTICLES:
Wampir i psychoza strachu w Krakowie
Wampir z Krakowa – Onet
Powrot mordercy, ktorego bala sie cala Polska – Fakt
“Wampir z Krakowa”. Nastolatek, który marzył o masowych mordach – Wprost
Karol Kot – Wampir z Krakowa – Interia
Wampir z Krakowa – Morderca o twarzy dziecka
Karol Kot: Krakow’s Teen Vampire
Karol Kot – Crime Files
Polscy seryjni mordercy – Karol Kot
Seryjni mordercy – teraz Polska – Vice
Mordercy seryjni – Kot Karol
“Wtedy postanowiłem, że zrobię jej gzi… gzi…” – TVN24
Jagiellonian University Overview
Polska w latach 60 XX wieku – wywiad
Złote lata 60. Jak zmienił się świat
“Mala stabilizacja” – Wladza i spoleczenstwo przelomu lat 50′ i 60′
Roma Ligocka i jej Kraków lat 60.
THIS EPISODE’S SPONSORS
CBS One Dollar – A new CBS mystery thriller drama web television series; free trial of CBS All Access
Away: First class luggage at a coach price – $20 off the suitcase with promo code ‘casefile’
Casper – Offer code ‘casefile’ for $50 off select mattresses
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