Jenny Ashford is a horror, true crime, and paranormal writer, graphic designer, and podcaster. Her most recent books are a three-volume true crime compilation collectively known as The Faceless Villain: A Collection of the Eeriest Unsolved Murders of the Twentieth Century. Volume One was published in 2017, Volume Two in 2018, and Volume Three in 2019. Her other books include four paranormal nonfiction books: The Unseen Hand: A New Exploration of Poltergeist Phenomena, The Mammoth Mountain Poltergeist (with Tom Ross), House of Fire and Whispers: Investigating the Seattle Demon House, and The Rochdale Poltergeist (both with Steve Mera); as well as three horror novels, Red Menace, Bellwether, and The Five Poisons; two short story collections, Hopeful Monsters and The Associated Villainies; and a graphic novel, The Tenebrist. A second edition of The Associated Villainies was published in 2019, featuring four new stories, an enhanced print layout, and an audio book version. A second edition of The Five Poisons was published in 2020. Her short stories have appeared in several anthologies, including The Nightmare Collective, History Is Dead, 2012AD, ChimeraWorld #3, and ChimeraWorld #4. Her horror blog, Goddess of Hellfire, contains writing news, short stories and articles, and her reviews and opinions on horror films and books. She also co-hosts a podcast with Tom Ross called 13 O'Clock, on which they discuss true crime, unexplained mysteries, paranormal weirdness, horror movies and books, food, and other fun, creepy topics. They recently collaborated on a 13 O'Clock cookbook. Jenny's graphic design work can be seen on everything from books and business cards to posters and packaging. She runs an online store called Gravecake selling products with her designs, and also has a board-and-card game concern called Giallo Games, which produces games based around the beloved Italian horror/crime genre, among many other themes.
Fifty-year-old grandmother Margaret Gall lived in the quiet town of Raymond Terrace in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. On March 25, 2002, she was found dead in the lounge room of her home by her partner. The victim had died of extensive head wounds from a blunt instrument. The nature of her … More Margaret Gall
Fifteen-year-old Fiona Burns, a teenager from Langwarrin, Melbourne, Australia, had a turbulent start to 1990. After her parents’ separation, she lived with her aunt and uncle in Melbourne’s southeast before setting off for Adelaide on September 27th, 1990, likely traveling by train. Described by her mother, Linda Miaris, as a naive child eager to explore … More Fiona Burns and John Lee
Twenty-seven-year-old Melinda Freeman was a devoted mother to her nine-month-old son, Brent, and came from a close-knit family. Described as a doting parent with aspirations to build a career in the beauty industry, she was in the prime of her life. On the day of her murder, Melinda and her husband, Craig Freeman, attended a … More Melinda Freeman
Twelve-year-old Leanne Holland was the youngest of three siblings living with her divorced father in a modest home on Alice Street, Goodna, a suburb west of Brisbane, Australia. Her sister’s boyfriend, Graham Stuart Stafford, a twenty-eight-year-old British-born sheet-metal worker, had been living with them since June 1991. On September 23rd, 1991, the first day of … More Leanne Holland
Ian Michael Dowling was a forty-year-old builder and road construction worker who lived in Grantham, Lincolnshire, England, with his partner Mandy and her children. Ian was a well-respected figure in the road maintenance and construction industry, known for his extensive travels across the UK for work. Described as a dedicated professional, he had recently worked … More Ian Dowling
Seventy-nine-year-old Leah Buck lived alone in the quiet seaside suburb of Williamstown, Victoria, Australia. A profoundly deaf woman who also suffered some mobility challenges from a recent hip replacement, Leah was a familiar figure in her community, often seen pushing her shopping trolley to local shops or visiting friends. September 20th, 1994 began like any … More Leah Buck
Seventy-two-year-old Joseph Shackleton and seventy-four-year-old May Rosser were well-loved figures in the close-knit community of Brunswick, Victoria, Australia. Both were widowed, and they had been in a relationship for eight years, having known one another for decades. May had grown up in an orphanage with Joseph’s first wife. Described as kind and friendly, Joseph was … More Joseph Shackleton and May Rosser
Twenty-four-year-old Samantha Mizzi was a woman facing immense challenges. Originally from Maldon in central Victoria, Australia, she had moved to Castlemaine, where she was trying to rebuild her life. As a single mother, Samantha was determined to provide for her daughter, Tanille, and her son, Steven. However, she was battling a heroin addiction that began … More Samantha Mizzi
Forty-year-old Tracey Connelly, described by friends as a “shining light” with “positive energy,” had faced significant challenges in her life. She began sex work at age fifteen and battled heroin addiction alongside Tony Melissovas, whom she met in 2005. The couple lived in a white Ford Econovan, with Melissovas acting as her “spotter,” recording details … More Tracey Connelly
Thirty-one-year-old Lee Duncan, also known as Lee Canning, was described by his family as a “loving son, brother, and uncle.” Duncan struggled with drug addiction and was prescribed methadone to manage his heroin use, though his family noted he was trying to turn his life around. He lived in Edinburgh, Scotland on income support and … More Lee Duncan
Crime Immemorial 