S28 E2: The Phantom Killer of Texarkana

Foul Play: Crime Series

Shane L. Waters, Wendy Cee, Gemma Hoskins

True Crime, Society & Culture, News, Daily News, History

4.4 • 986 Ratings

🗓️ 22 November 2023

⏱️ 23 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In this suspenseful second episode of the Foul Play: Crime Series podcast titled "The Phantom Killer of Texarkana, Part 2," we delve deeper into the harrowing tale of a series of brutal attacks that terrorized the small town of Texarkana in 1946. This episode takes you through the unnerving investigation and the scant evidence that baffled authorities. As the town grapples with fear, we explore the unique challenges posed by Texarkana's geographical location and its impact on law enforcement efforts.

Witness how the community's reaction to these crimes ranged from extreme vigilance to paralyzing fear, with families resorting to extraordinary measures for safety. We recount the grisly details of each attack, from the lovers' lanes to an isolated farmhouse, and examine the aftermath of this chilling spree. The episode offers a deep dive into the law enforcement's struggles with limited forensic capabilities and the complexities of inter-state policing, providing insights into the psychological and societal impact of the Phantom's reign of terror.

As we unravel the intricate layers of this dark chapter in Texarkana's history, "The Phantom Killer of Texarkana, Part 2" is not just a recounting of events but a journey into the heart of a community forever changed by fear and uncertainty. For true crime enthusiasts seeking an immersive experience into one of America’s most haunting mysteries, this episode promises to be a compelling and thought-provoking listen.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Hello friend and welcome back to Foul Play.
0:05.0	This is the story of the Phantom Killer of Texarkana.
0:10.0	And today in this second installment of our Phantom Killer series, we're looking at the
0:17.6	investigation and evidence surrounding the crimes of the tax Arcana killer. Oh, oh, oh, oh, you're In 1946 the small town of Texarkana was rocked by a series of heinous crimes within a span of just three months.
1:08.5	Three of these attacks targeted young couples seeking privacy on Lover's Lane in Texas while the fourth involved the ruthless shooting of a middle-aged couple in their secluded farmhouse in Arkansas.
1:17.0	By the time the carnage ended, three of the victims had sustained grave injuries and five lives were taken.
1:26.0	The few survivors left were so traumatized that they could provide the bare minimum
1:31.0	information to authorities. Panic gripped the... the were away, while others divides makeshift security systems, using pots and pans linked to wires around their homes.
1:49.0	Gun ownership in the state's sword, as people began sleeping with loaded weapons on either side of
1:54.8	their beds and had their children sleep close to them on the floor.
2:00.3	Texarkana, sometimes also known as Little Chicago, was a bustling railroad hub that attracted
2:06.8	celebrated performers and prominent politicians.
2:10.8	But the railroads also ushered in vagrants and criminals.
2:15.0	The state border which famously bisects the massive United States post office
2:20.0	and courthouse not only sparked intense high school football rivalries but also fostered divisions
2:26.7	that complicated and hindered law enforcement. Despite the town's inherent darkness that weaves along State Line Avenue, Texarkana had never tried to conceal or suppress tales of its most infamous chapter as you might expect them to.
2:44.8	Investigations into the attacks by the phantom killer
2:48.2	engage numerous law enforcement officers
2:50.8	across city, county, state and federal levels.
2:55.6	With their interrogations, a lot of new information came to light,
2:59.9	making the already chilling accounts of the killer downright terrifying.
3:05.0	Let's revisit the crime scenes now with the actual testimonies
	...

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