In this episode of When Killers Get Caught, Brittany Ransom revisits one of the most infamous figures in New Orleans history Delphine LaLaurie, also known as The Beast of Royal Street.
Long before the fire that exposed her mansion in 1834, Madame LaLaurie was a wealthy Creole socialite living at the center of elite New Orleans society. But behind the elegance, dinner parties, and political connections, neighbors whispered about missing servants, unexplained injuries, and a house that felt increasingly disturbing to those around it.
This episode breaks down the full timeline of the LaLaurie case from her rise in high society and powerful marriages, to the growing allegations of abuse inside her Royal Street mansion, and ultimately the night everything changed.
We cover:
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Her elite Creole upbringing and powerful family connections in New Orleans
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The three marriages that expanded her wealth and influence
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Early red flags reported by neighbors and enslaved workers
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The 1834 Royal Street fire and what was discovered inside the attic
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The violent public response and her escape from New Orleans
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What is fact, what is legend, and how her story became mythologized over time
We also examine how the LaLaurie case reflects broader systems of power, slavery, and legal protection in 19th-century Louisiana and why her story continues to be retold nearly 200 years later.
Some say she was a monster. Others say she was a product of her time. But the truth, as always, is more complicated and far more unsettling than fiction.
Because in cases like this… the truth always leaves a trail.
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Credits & Inquiries:
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Music featured in this podcast is used with permission from Myuu. https://open.spotify.com/artist/5sP3ci0jwrXUBo76t8pGTF
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For advertising and sponsorship inquiries, please contact Brittany Ransom at caughtpodcast@gmail.com
