26: Clifford Olson: The Killer Who Sold Bodies

About this episode

This episode examines the case of Clifford Olson, a notorious Canadian serial killer, and his manipulation of police and journalists.

In 1981, children were disappearing across British Columbia. Parents feared a predator was stalking bus stops, shopping malls, and highways throughout the Fraser Valley. What investigators didn't realize was that the man responsible wasn't hiding from police at all. He was talking to them. In this episode of UNMARKED, I examine the case of Clifford Olson, one of Canada's most notorious serial killers. Drawing on my conversation with forensic psychologist Dr. Eric Hickey, we explore Olson's childhood, the development of his violent fantasies, his manipulation of police and journalists, and the institutional failures that allowed him to continue killing. We also examine the infamous "cash for bodies" deal, in which the government agreed to pay Olson in exchange for the locations of his victims. Research in This episode: MacCulloch, M. J., Snowden, P. R., Wood, P. J. W., & Mills, H. E. (1983). “Sadistic fantasy, sadistic behaviour and offending.” British Journal of Psychiatry , 143, 20–29. Helfgott, Jacqueline B. “Criminal behavior and the copycat effect: Literature review and theoretical framework for empirical investigation.” Aggression and Violent Behavior 22 (2015): 46–64…

People in this episode

Host: James Buddy Day

Guest: Dr. Eric Hickey

Topics covered

• true crime
• serial killers
• Clifford Olson
• forensic psychology
• institutional failures
• cash for bodies

Keywords

• Clifford Olson
• serial killer
• forensic psychology
• cash for bodies
• British Columbia
• true crime

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: British Columbia

Books & works: British Journal of Psychiatry, Aggression and Violent Behavior

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