Case 308: Ruth Finley

Casefile: True Crime Podcast

Case 308 Ruth Finley

*** Content warnings: Sexual abuse ***

In the late 1970s, Wichita secretary Ruth Finley began to receive cryptic letters and chilling threats from a mysterious figure known only as ‘The Poet.’ For years, The Poet tormented Ruth and her husband, Ed, leaving them in a constant state of confusion and fear. Despite relentless efforts from the police, The Poet continued to evade detection. But as the investigation unfolded, the truth that emerged left everyone questioning what was real.

CREDITS

 

Casefile Presents

  EPISODE

Research & writing – Milly Raso

Creative direction – Milly Raso

Narration – Anonymous Host

  MUSIC

‘Flatline intro’ and ‘Come play with me’ intro and outro – www.dl-sounds.com

Audio production – Mike Migas 

Scoring – Mike Migas and Andrew Joslyn

Audio editing – Anthony Telfer

  OTHER

Logo and website design – Paulina Szymanska

  PREMIUM

Although Casefile episodes are free for all listeners, those who want to support us financially can do so by becoming a member of Patreon, Apple Premium or Spotify Premium. Paid subscribers receive access to exclusive content including behind-the-scenes discussions with the Casefile team, interviews, early releases and ad-free episodes.

RESOURCES

 

BOOKS

Little Girl Fly Away – Gene Stone

 

ARCHIVED ARTICLES

Chloroform fiend brands Fort Scott girl with flatiron – The Wichita Eagle, Oct 16 1946

Sadist mutilates highschool girl – The Parsons Sun, Oct 16 1946

Sadist burns Kansas girl – The Wichita Beacon, Oct 16 1946

“Branded” – The Iola Register, Oct 18 1946

Poet’s ‘victim’ admits she’s Poet – The Wichita Eagle, Oct 02 1981

A chronology of the events of Ruth Finley’s ordeal – The Wichita Eagle, Oct 02 1981

Officials await psychiatric tests before they decide on charges – The Wichita Eagle, Oct 03 1981

Finley carried hoax out to the letter – which led to the end – The Wichita Eagle, Oct 03 1981

 

ARTICLES

The Poet – Medium

Sick letters Ruth Finley received from ‘The Poet’ before cops realized she was tormenting herself and uncovered her motive – The U.S. Sun

Victim and perpetrator of ‘the Poet’ crime hoax in Wichita four decades ago has died – The Wichita Eagle

 

OTHER

Ruth Finley Obituary

← Case 307: The Night Caller (Part 2/2) Case 309: Lindsay Jellett →

The post Case 308: Ruth Finley appeared first on Casefile: True Crime Podcast.

More description

Case 308 Ruth Finley

*** Content warnings: Sexual abuse ***

In the late 1970s, Wichita secretary Ruth Finley began to receive cryptic letters and chilling threats from a mysterious figure known only as ‘The Poet.’ For years, The Poet tormented Ruth and her husband, Ed, leaving them in a constant state of confusion and fear. Despite relentless efforts from the police, The Poet continued to evade detection. But as the investigation unfolded, the truth that emerged left everyone questioning what was real.

CREDITS

 

Casefile Presents

  EPISODE

Research & writing – Milly Raso

Creative direction – Milly Raso

Narration – Anonymous Host

  MUSIC

‘Flatline intro’ and ‘Come play with me’ intro and outro – www.dl-sounds.com

Audio production – Mike Migas 

Scoring – Mike Migas and Andrew Joslyn

Audio editing – Anthony Telfer

  OTHER

Logo and website design – Paulina Szymanska

  PREMIUM

Although Casefile episodes are free for all listeners, those who want to support us financially can do so by becoming a member of Patreon, Apple Premium or Spotify Premium. Paid subscribers receive access to exclusive content including behind-the-scenes discussions with the Casefile team, interviews, early releases and ad-free episodes.

RESOURCES

 

BOOKS

Little Girl Fly Away – Gene Stone

 

ARCHIVED ARTICLES

Chloroform fiend brands Fort Scott girl with flatiron – The Wichita Eagle, Oct 16 1946

Sadist mutilates highschool girl – The Parsons Sun, Oct 16 1946

Sadist burns Kansas girl – The Wichita Beacon, Oct 16 1946

“Branded” – The Iola Register, Oct 18 1946

Poet’s ‘victim’ admits she’s Poet – The Wichita Eagle, Oct 02 1981

A chronology of the events of Ruth Finley’s ordeal – The Wichita Eagle, Oct 02 1981

Officials await psychiatric tests before they decide on charges – The Wichita Eagle, Oct 03 1981

Finley carried hoax out to the letter – which led to the end – The Wichita Eagle, Oct 03 1981

 

ARTICLES

The Poet – Medium

Sick letters Ruth Finley received from ‘The Poet’ before cops realized she was tormenting herself and uncovered her motive – The U.S. Sun

Victim and perpetrator of ‘the Poet’ crime hoax in Wichita four decades ago has died – The Wichita Eagle

 

OTHER

Ruth Finley Obituary

← Case 307: The Night Caller (Part 2/2) Case 309: Lindsay Jellett →

The post Case 308: Ruth Finley appeared first on Casefile: True Crime Podcast.

2025-03-01
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