In the era of some of the most heinous serial killers of all time, one murderous family went curiously unnoticed: The McCrarys. Led by a psychopathic patriarch and his cunning son-in-law, this Texas clan roamed the country robbing, kidnapping, and killing up to 20 people, most of them taken from donut shops. “Families Who Kill: The Donut Shop Murders” recounts the wild and deeply disturbing story of an unhinged American family and the terrible brutality they unleashed. The podcast features the taped confessions of one of the killers, given when he was serving a life term in Colorado.
All episodes of Families Who Kill are available now. You can binge the series ad-free on Wondery+ or on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or Amazon Music Unlimited subscription.
In the 1970s, a single American family murdered over 20 people in just two years. Families Who Kill: The Donut Shop Murders is the podcast that uncovers that chilling tale. Documenting the story of the McCrary family, this podcast details this family's crimes.
This podcast outlines how the McCrarys traveled from donut shop to shop to find their victims. Every time, their crimes became a bit more elaborate. This horrific series of murders became known as "the donut shop murders."
Veteran crime documentarian and Emmy-winner James Carroll brings listeners on a riveting journey. He begins on location, driving along the same highway the McCrary family traveled. As rain hits the windshield, Carroll first introduces the family who "slayed together."
Career criminal Sherman McCrary took his family all over the country. His son-in-law, Carl, shared his sadistic drive to kill. The rest of the family was just as guilty. Daughter Ginger McCrary egged her father and husband on. Sherman's wife may have been either under her husband's control or a passive bystander. Son Danny also joined in the murders. Together, this murderous family tore through the countryside, robbing, raping, and murdering.
Listeners of Families Who Kill will hear from James Carroll and other investigators. The podcast even includes prison confessions from Carl. In measured tones, he recounts each murder. To provide context, the podcast also tells the story of the Bloody Benders, a similar family from the 19th century. What drives families like these to kill? This podcast looks for answers.
Episodes