News

That Time a Grandma was Arrested After Killing and Eating 14 People

Published

2 years ago

August 19, 2022

It’s been 7 years since we first reported on the strange and unsettling case of Tamara Samsonova, the so-called “Granny Ripper” whose unusual story of serial murder and possible cannibalism shocked the world.

The case shot to international infamy after it was reported that the then 68-year-old Samsonova was caught on CCTV camera footage carrying the pieces of a corpse in plastic bags around a pond where she attempted to dispose of the remains. It would later be revealed that the body was that of Valentina Nikolaevna Ulanova, a friend for whom she also acted as caretaker.

She would later say of Ulanova’s murder:

“I came home and put the whole pack of Phenazepam – 50 pills – into her Olivier salad. I woke up at 2AM and she was lying on the floor. So I started cutting her into pieces.”

Samsonova was captured on CCTV carrying out plastic bags later identified as those holding the dismembered body parts of Ulanova.

During the investigation into Samsonova’s activities, the police would further find evidence that would reportedly connect her to a total of 14 murders including that of a former tenant named Volodya. Samsonova reportedly wrote in her diary that she killed the man after an argument. She dismembered him as well, and disposed of his body in the same location she would later use for Ulanova’s remains.

Tamara Samsonova

The woman’s trial was quite sensational. It was revealed that she had a history of mental illness, and her behavior during seemed to underline this as she was observed blowing kisses to the judge and reporters during the trial while giggling.

CNN reported her saying:

“I’m haunted by a maniac upstairs who forced me to kill,” and later on, “I have nowhere else to live. I am a very old person, and I put the whole matter to rest deliberately. I have thought 77 times about it and then decided that I must be in prison. I will die there and the state will probably bury me.’

At another point in the trial, she admitted that she had been waiting ten years for the police to arrive on her doorstep to arrest her.

She was eventually given a battery of psychological tests when it was determined that she was a danger to others and herself. Samsonova was remanded to a state-run mental health facility where she still resides to this day.

On the surface, it was an open and shut case, but there were elements to Samsonova’s story that remain puzzles even now.

Image of Samsonova’s Diary

For starters, her diary not only recounted her crimes but also seemed to hint that she used specific murders for what she believed were dark magic rituals. Moreover, it was discovered that pages were missing from the diary and some of them, at least, were found with the body parts of Volodya, one of her earliest-known victims. These seemingly occult connections found her branded “Baba Yaga” in the Russian media, a reference to the powerful sometimes dark figure from Slavic folklore.

Then, there was the matter of her missing husband. Tamara married Alexi Samsonova in 1971. In 2005, she reported him missing. His body has never been found and he has been declared dead. He is not mentioned by name in her diary so it’s difficult to know if Alexi was one of her victims, but it seems likely given everything else that was discovered.

No matter the cause and the details, something about Tamara Samsonova captured the attention and imagination of the world. She has been the subject of numerous podcasts including episodes of Luminary, We Saw the Devil, and Killer Personality to name just a few. She’s also found herself the subject of a few intrepid true-crime YouTubers, some of which I’ll link below.

For me personally, I think there is a part of all of us that deems the elderly harmless. We expect that they cannot or will not do anything to hurt us. They are our grandparents or the kindly people down the street who always smile and wave as you go by. Outwardly, that’s who Samsonova was, and it shook the world audience when they realized that she was not only a brutal killer but that she seemingly did not begin killing until she was in her late 50s.

And that disturbs us most of all. Take a look at those videos below and let us know what you think of the case of Tamara Samsonova in the comments.

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News

A24 Creating New Action Thriller “Onslaught” From ‘The Guest’ & ‘You’re Next’ Duo

Published

3 hours ago

May 2, 2024

Cameron McFarland

It’s always nice to see a reunion in the world of horror. Following a competitive bidding war, A24 has secured the rights to the new action thriller film Onslaught. Adam Wingard (Godzilla vs. Kong) will be directing the film. He will be joined by his longtime creative partner Simon Barret (You’re Next) as the scriptwriter.

For those unaware, Wingard and Barret made a name for themselves while working together on films such as You’re Next and The Guest. The two creatives are card carrying horror royalty. The pair have worked on films such as V/H/S, Blair Witch, The ABC’s of Death, and A Horrible Way to Die.

An exclusive article of out Deadline gives us the limited information we have on the topic. Although we don’t have much to go on, Deadline does offer the following information.

“Plot details are being kept under wraps but the film is in the vein of Wingard and Barrett’s cult classics like The Guest and You’re Next. Lyrical Media and A24 will co-finance. A24 will handle worldwide releasing. Principal photography will begin in Fall 2024.”

A24 will be producing the film alongside Aaron Ryder and Andrew Swett for Ryder Picture Company, Alexander Black for Lyrical Media, Wingard and Jeremy Platt for Breakaway Civilization, and Simon Barret.

That’s all the information we have at this time. Make sure to check back here for more news and updates.

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News

Director Louis Leterrier Creating New Sci-Fi Horror Film “11817”

Published

4 hours ago

May 2, 2024

Cameron McFarland

According to an article from Deadline, Louis Leterrier (The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance) is about to shake things up with his new Sci-Fi horror film 11817. Leterrier is set to produce and direct the new Movie. 11817 is penned by the glorious Mathew Robinson (The Invention of Lying).

Rocket Science will be taking the film to Cannes in search of a buyer. While we don’t know much about what the film looks like, Deadline offers the following plot synopsis.

“The film watches as inexplicable forces trap a family of four inside their house indefinitely. As both modern luxuries and life or death essentials begin to run out, the family must learn how to be resourceful to survive and outsmart who — or what — is keeping them trapped…”

“Directing projects where the audience gets behind the characters has always been my focus. However complex, flawed, heroic, we identify with them as we live through their journey,” said Leterrier. “It’s what excites me about 11817‘s wholly original concept and the family at the heart of our story. This is an experience that movie audiences won’t forget.”

Leterrier has made a name for himself in the past for working on beloved franchises. His portfolio includes gems such as Now You See Me, The Incredible Hulk, Clash of The Titans, and The Transporter. He is currently attached to create the final Fast and the Furious film. However, it will be interesting to see what Leterrier can do working with some darker subject material.

That’s all the information we have for you at this time. As always, make sure to check back here for more news and updates.

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Lists

New to Netflix (U.S.) This Month [May 2024]

Published

6 hours ago

May 2, 2024

Timothy Rawles

atlas movie Netflix starring Jennifer Lopez

Another month means fresh additions to Netflix. Although there aren’t many new horror titles this month, there are still some notable movies well worth your time. For instance, you can watch Karen Black try to land a 747 jet in Airport 1979, or Casper Van Dien kill giant insects in Paul Verhoeven’s bloody sci-fi opus Starship Troopers.

We are looking forward to the Jennifer Lopez sci-fi action movie Atlas. But let us know what you are going to watch. And if we have missed something, put it in the comments.

May 1:

Airport

A blizzard, a bomb, and a stowaway help create the perfect storm for the manager of a Midwestern airport and a pilot with a messy personal life.

Airport ’75

^{Airport ’75}

When a Boeing 747 loses its pilots in a midair collision, a member of the cabin crew must take control with radio help from a flight instructor.

Airport ’77

A luxury 747 packed with VIPs and priceless art goes down in the Bermuda Triangle after being hijacked by thieves — and time for a rescue is running out.

Jumanji

Two siblings discover an enchanted board game that opens a door to a magical world — and unwittingly release a man who’s been trapped inside for years.

Hellboy

^Hellboy

A half-demon paranormal investigator questions his defense of humans when a dismembered sorceress rejoins the living to wreak brutal vengeance.

Starship Troopers

When fire-spitting, brain-sucking bugs attack Earth and obliterate Buenos Aires, an infantry unit heads to the aliens’ planet for a showdown.

May 9

Bodkin

^Bodkin

A ragtag crew of podcasters sets out to investigate mysterious disappearances from decades earlier in a charming Irish town with dark, dreadful secrets.

May 15

The Clovehitch Killer

^{The Clovehitch Killer}

A teenager’s picture-perfect family is torn apart when he uncovers unnerving evidence of a serial killer close to home.

May 16

Upgrade

After a violent mugging leaves him paralyzed, a man receives a computer chip implant that allows him to control his body — and get his revenge.

Monster

_Monster

After being abducted and taken to a desolate house, a girl sets out to rescue her friend and escape from their malicious kidnapper.

May 24

Atlas

^Atlas

A brilliant counterterrorism analyst with a deep distrust of AI discovers it might be her only hope when a mission to capture a renegade robot goes awry.

Jurassic World: Chaos Theory

The Camp Cretaceous gang come together to unravel a mystery when they discover a global conspiracy that brings danger to dinosaurs — and to themselves.

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