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DEADLY INTENT

DEADLY INTENT: The Dark Side of Humanity

Hosted by Carman Carrion

Welcome to the shadows, where monsters don't hide under beds—they walk among us wearing human faces.

From the creator of Freaky Folklore, Destination Terror, and Carman's Crypt comes a chilling exploration into the darkest corners of criminal psychology. Deadly Intent isn't just another true crime podcast—it's a deep dive into the why behind history's most disturbing cases.

"Intent. It's what separates accident from murder, passion from premeditation, justice from revenge."

Each episode examines the twisted motivations that drive ordinary people to commit extraordinary evil. From century-old mysteries that still haunt small towns to modern tragedies that shatter our faith in humanity, we explore the deadly intent behind every crime—because understanding the why is the key to understanding the real monsters among us.

Join host Carman Carrion as she unravels cases spanning over a century of human darkness:

The Hinterkaifeck Murders: A killer who lived among the dead
The "Hot Sauce Mom": When maternal love becomes torture
The Idaho Student Murders: When academic brilliance turns deadly
The Doomsday Mom: When faith becomes justification for filicide
Historical mysteries like the Axeman of New Orleans and the Boy in the Box

This isn't entertainment—this is education in the darkest classroom of all: the human heart.

New episodes drop every Tuesday. Content warning: This podcast contains detailed discussions of violence, murder, and disturbing criminal behavior. Listener discretion is strongly advised.

Subscribe now and remember: Every killer has a reason. But does reason ever justify murder?

Available wherever you get your podcasts. Follow @CarmanCarrion for updates and additional content.

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DEADLY INTENT

The Boy in the Box – A Face Everyone Knew, But No One Recognized

September 16, 2025 • Carman Carrion • Season 1 • Episode 7

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DEADLY INTENT: The Boy in the Box

Season 1, Episode 7

In this haunting episode, host Carman Carrion delves into the tragic and enduring mystery of Joseph Augustus Zarelli, known for over 65 years as "America's Unknown Child" or "The Boy in the Box."

The case began in 1957 with the discovery of a small boy's body in a cardboard box in Philadelphia's Fox Chase neighborhood. Despite a massive, unprecedented investigation that made his face known to millions, the boy's identity remained a frustrating enigma.

Carman explores the decades of dead-end leads, from the famous "M Theory" to various false confessions, and chronicles the relentless efforts of dedicated investigators and the Vidocq Society who refused to let the case go cold.

The episode culminates in the incredible breakthrough made possible by a revolutionary new forensic science: genetic genealogy. It's a story of science finally giving a name to the voiceless, but it also opens a new chapter in the ongoing quest for justice. The episode concludes with the most critical question still unanswered: Who killed Joseph Augustus Zarelli? 🔎

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