Podcast Explores Women Who Kill

A Podcast That Challenges Stereotypes

Hosts Jule Gölsdorf and Karolin Kandler break away from conventional true crime podcasts by focusing specifically on cases where women are the perpetrators. While most true crime podcasts center on male criminals, these two hosts explore the psychological and societal backgrounds of female violence.

Since its launch, Sisters in Crime has established itself as an important voice in the German-language podcast landscape. With over 60 episodes and ranking 16th among German history podcasts as of May 2026, the show reaches an ever-growing audience.

In each episode, the hosts dig deeper than simply recounting the facts. They question the motives, biographical backgrounds, and societal circumstances that may have contributed to the crimes. Where female serial killers are often underestimated or romanticized in criminology, Sisters in Crime offers a nuanced perspective that neither judges nor excuses, but seeks to understand.

The Hereford Case: Episode 66

Episode 66, titled "Seven Dead Babies, One Ward, No Evidence," attracted particular attention. The case took place in Hereford, a quiet British town. The hosts paint a vivid scene: silent residential streets with closely spaced houses, well-maintained gardens, and drawn curtains in the early morning hours—a contrast that makes the horrors of hospital negligence even more striking.

Seven babies died on the same hospital ward, yet concrete evidence of foul play was initially lacking. hospital murders rank among the most complicated cases in forensics, as the line between medical negligence and deliberate action is often blurry. Gölsdorf and Kandler demonstrate in the episode how investigators tackle such cases and what psychological profiles may be at play when the perpetrator works in the healthcare sector.

The Psychology Behind Female Violence

A central theme in Sisters in Crime is the question of why women kill—and why society often finds it more shocking than male violence. The hosts illuminate different perpetrator profiles: from Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy to revenge and relationship-related murders, to serial killers driven by power or financial motives.

One critical point emerges: female perpetrators often use different methods than men. Poison instead of violence, psychological manipulation instead of physical dominance. They exploit their roles as caregivers, mothers, or partners to gain access to their victims. Society's expectation that women are naturally less violent allows some perpetrators to remain undetected for extended periods.

Why Sisters in Crime Matters

With over 66 episodes, Sisters in Crime has become a fixture in the podcast landscape. The show's success demonstrates that there is a genuine need for nuanced coverage of female perpetrators—away from sensationalism and trivialization. The hosts manage to convey complex psychological and sociological connections in an accessible way without diminishing the severity of the cases.

The podcast helps illuminate blind spots in the public's perception of crime and shows that violence is not exclusively a male phenomenon. At the same time, it raises awareness of the unique challenges investigators face when the perpetrator, due to their gender, is not the primary suspect.