Are You Captain Purple

The stunning finale of Are You Captain Purple. Original music in this episode by Owen Beverly. ‘Heartstrings’ by Indianola featuring Owen Beverly. Want to own a replica of the original Captain Purple Fan Club shirts that Janice Hamilton produced? Check our webstore. Love what we’re doing? Make a donation to keep this reporting alive. Have a hometown mystery to pitch? Email us at areyoucaptainpurple@gmail.com

After decades without a peep from Captain Purple the character remerges in Bedford in late 2016. Another newspaper reporter takes up the search into the mystery. Nick and Derek get a letter from Captain Purple. Are you Captain Purple? You can be. Check our webstore. Original music in this episode by Owen Beverly. ‘IKYTYK’ by Quiet Confidence. Source notes for episode 6. Love what we’re doing? Make a donation. https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/JB7K5KZYR5DCE Have a hometown mystery to pitch? Email us at areyoucaptainpurple@gmail.com Website: CaptainPurple.com

Captain Purple is being chased by newspaper sports reporter Gary Gosch. The caped do-gooder also leaves a package and a request with the local radio station WBIW, and hangs a massive banner from an old structure along the highway. Nick and Derek make contact with Rosemarie Sylvester, the main Captain Purple reporter from the Bedford Times Mail in 1983, and she offers information no one has ever heard before. Source Notes for episode 4. Want to own a replica of the original Captain Purple Fan Club shirts that Janice Hamilton produced? Check our webstore. Original music in this episode by Owen Beverly. ‘Testify’ by Los Coast. Love what we’re doing? Make a donation to keep this reporting alive. https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/JB7K5KZYR5DCE Have a hometown mystery to pitch? Email us at areyoucaptainpurple@gmail.com Website: CaptainPurple.com

The search for suspects and inconsistencies between a file at the Bedford Police Department in 2025 and the stories of an officer from 1983 have Nick Storm and Derek Ingersoll chasing after the police. In 1983, Bedford was distrustful of the captain, at least until some took a public stand. Nick and Derek track down Richard King, who was visited by Captain Purple in spring of 1983, and hear how that encounter prompted him to come forward in defense of the town’s budding hero. To see source material from this episode check out our series notes on the website. Are You Captain Purple merch is available now on our webstore. Original music in this episode by Owen Beverly. Radar By EXO. Love what we’re doing? Make a donation to support us. Have a hometown mystery to pitch? Email us at areyoucaptainpurple@gmail.com Website: CaptainPurple.com

In the summer of 1983, Bedford, Indiana, was visited by a mysterious figure who left food, clothing, and handwritten letters at the doors of those in need. He left his gifts along with what would be his signature - a set of purple spray-painted footprints and called himself Captain Purple. For 43 years, his true identity has remained a mystery—until now? “Are You Captain Purple?” is an investigative podcast documentary series that revisits this hometown legend with fresh leads, never-before-published notes, and interviews with those who were forever changed by his generosity. Led by Emmy-nominated journalist Nick Storm and Bedford native Derek Ingersoll, the podcast explores not only who Captain Purple was, but why he did what he did—shining a light on the power of kindness, compassion, and community. A podcast like you’ve never heard before: Are You Captain Purple? Launches February 2, 2026. Subscribe now.