Ep.24 The Chicago Rippers

In the early 1980s, Chicago was gripped by fear as women vanished and bodies were discovered mutilated in ways that suggested ritualistic violence. At the center of the storm was Robin Gecht and his “Ripper Crew,” consisting of Edward Spreitzer and brothers Andrew and Thomas Kokoraleis, who carried out a series of brutal abductions and murders. Gecht, a former associate of serial killer John Wayne Gacy, wrapped his crimes in a twisted mix of satanic ritual, loyalty, and sadistic control. In this episode of Hidden Cults, we unravel how the crew formed, the horrific nature of their crimes, and the chilling rumors of Gecht’s attic “chapel.” We trace the police investigation that finally brought the group down, the confessions that exposed the rituals of blood, and the sensational trials that shocked Chicago. Survivor testimonies and the legacy of terror left behind show how cult-like devotion can merge with criminality to unleash unimaginable violence.

Part 1 – A City on Edge
Part 2 – The Gathering of the Crew
Part 3 – The Rituals of Blood
Part 4 – Fear in the City
Part 5 – Capture and Confession
Part 6 – Shadows That Remain

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International Resources

International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA)
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Open Minds Foundation
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Freedom of Mind Resource Center (Steven Hassan)
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