The Postcard Killer
How did the Postcard Killer try to manipulate the police with letters?
4.1 (14)
57 mins
Explore the life of the Postcard Killer and his shocking crimes across the US. Discover how his postcards both taunted authorities and revealed his meticulous planning. Learn about the childhood trauma, emotional neglect, and cunning that shaped his violent behavior.
Ep 1:
Birth of a Monster
We trace John Frank Hickey's descent from a devout Lowell youth into a calculating predator, exploring the childhood trauma and psychological cracks that foreshadowed unspeakable violence.
Ep 2:
The Mask of Respectability
After his first conviction, Hickey rebuilds a respectable life at the YMCA and a Masonic lodge—but expulsion and bitterness reveal the darkness still simmering beneath his charm.
Ep 3:
A Predator in the Park
In New York and later Lackawanna, Hickey's crimes escalate to children, culminating in a chilling postcard that leads police straight to a murdered boy's body.
Ep 4:
Postcards from a Killer
A wave of taunting postcards terrorizes police and grieving families alike, until a former employer's sharp eye and handwriting evidence finally close in on the killer.
Ep 5:
Confessions and a Verdict
Cornered by evidence, Hickey unleashes a torrent of confessions revealing years of hidden attempts and murders, setting the stage for a stunning courtroom verdict.
Ep 6:
The Ghosts He Left Behind
After Hickey's death, his true legacy comes into focus—a chilling blueprint for future serial killers and haunting questions about how many victims truly existed.
Discussions (11)
Asa
Level 3 · 7 mo agoThe jury verdict was indeed a compromise. Two jurors believed Hickey was insane and refused to vote for execution, so he got twenty years to life.
Kirby
Level 8 · 7 mo agoSending postcards to the dad is absolutely sick.
Chuck
Level 3 · 7 mo agoHe claimed to be a Mason but got expelled for stealing booze. He was just a fraud seeking status.
