What is the episode about?
<a href='/krimidex/clifford-olson'>Clifford Olson </a> and the tragic events of the summer of 1981 form the backdrop of this episode of the podcast <a href='/podcasts/uncover-cbc'>Uncover: Calls From a Killer </a>. The episode specifically focuses on the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and their desperate race against time to stop a man who would later become known as one of Canada’s most heinous serial killers. Through unique archival recordings and new interviews, the team behind Uncover sheds light on how the police operated at a time when technology was limited and fear in the British Columbia community was at its peak.
The case behind the episode
The case of <a href='/krimidex/clifford-olson'>Clifford Olson </a>, often referred to as 'The Candyman', shook Canada in the early 1980s. Olson was responsible for the kidnapping and murder of at least 11 children and young people aged 9 to 18. His victims were found in the wooded areas around Vancouver's Lower Mainland. The episode delves into the tactical investigation that the RCMP initiated and the controversial decisions made along the way. This includes the notorious 'cash for corpses' deal, where Olson received payment to his family in exchange for pointing out the locations where he had hidden his victims. This part of the case remains one of the most debated chapters in Canadian legal history, as it raised fundamental questions about morality and justice in the pursuit of truth for the families left behind.
About the podcast
<a href='/podcasts/uncover-cbc'>Uncover </a> is an award-winning documentary series from CBC, known for its in-depth journalism and ability to bring new perspectives to well-known criminal cases. In season 33, 'Calls From a Killer', the series is based on a series of phone calls from an inmate, which opens up a broader investigation into the crimes committed decades earlier. The production is characterized by high technical quality and unusual access to sources that typically do not speak to the media.
Listen here
The episode 'The Mounties Always Get Their Man' can be streamed on all major platforms. You can find it directly on CBC Listen or through the usual providers. For listeners interested in police tactics and historical true crime, this episode offers a rare insight into the internal dynamics of the RCMP during one of their most high-profile cases ever.