What is the episode about?

Danske Drabssager sheds light in this episode on one of the most sensational criminal cases from the early 20th century, namely the robbery murder committed by the woman nicknamed Musse Gadedreng in 1922. The case concerns the brutal assault and murder of an innocent taxi driver, who was lured into a trap for the purpose of enrichment. Host Kristina Antivakis has invited historian Frederik Strand from the Police Museum to the studio to analyze why this specific case stood out so markedly in the crime landscape of the time, where violent female perpetrators were an exceedingly rare phenomenon.

The case behind the episode

The robbery murder in 1922 was committed under circumstances that shocked the public due to the perpetrator's cynicism. Musse Gadedreng, whose criminal career and personality are scrutinized in the episode, exploited a taxi driver's trust to place him in a vulnerable position. Throughout the episode, it is described how the assault escalated into a murder and how the police subsequently worked to identify the woman behind the violent act. The case has since become a central example in Danish criminal history of how women can also act as main figures in serious violent crimes, challenging the gender stereotypes and legal perceptions of female criminality of the time. You can read more about similar historical cases in KrimiDex — Robbery Murder and explore the profile of KrimiDex — Musse Gadedreng .

About the podcast

Danske Drabssager is one of Denmark's most popular true crime podcasts, produced by RadioPlay. The podcast is known for its documentary approach, where real cases are retold through interviews with investigators, witnesses, and experts. In this special mini-series about criminal women, the focus shifts from classic investigative processes to a deeper understanding of female perpetrators' motives and society's reactions to them. By involving Frederik Strand, historical accuracy is ensured, placing Musse Gadedreng's actions in the context of interwar social conditions in Denmark. For further insight into the program's structure, one can visit the profile page for Danske Drabssager .

Listen here

The episode 'Criminal Women, Part 1 – The Woman Behind the Robbery Murder of 1922' can be streamed on all major platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts. With a duration of approximately 45 minutes, the episode provides a thorough review of both the murder itself and its subsequent legal historical significance. It is recommended to listen to the series in order to fully benefit from the analysis of female murderers throughout history.

Related episodes and media

This episode constitutes the first part of a series of six, all dealing with women in criminal history. Other relevant episodes in the feed include cases of child murderers and poisoners, which historically have been more common forms of female criminality compared to the direct robbery murder committed by Musse Gadedreng. Interested listeners can also find more information about police methods in the 1920s through the archives of the Police Museum.

Sources

• RadioPlay - Danske Drabssager Episode Overview
• Police Museum - Historical Criminal Cases
• Apple Podcasts - Danske Drabssager Reviews

Reviews

"Danske Drabssager is a true crime podcast about real criminal cases told by those who have been very close to them." — Apple Podcasts (4.5/5)