The term “bluebeard” conveys images of pirates sailing the high seas, but the actual meaning of this term is much darker and there are examples of it all around us. You see, a “bluebeard” is a man that murders his wife. The term is derived from a French folktale dating back to the 1600′s, making this horrible idea not a new one.

The fact that this term isn’t commonly used in North America is curious, since its female counterpart “black widow” is widely known worldwide. In this episode of Sword and Scale we examine some Bluebeard cases which you probably haven’t heard about, including some recent ones that have shocked us in their pointlessness and brutality. But beware… After listening, you may never look at your husband the same way again.

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• Lori Hacking’s Mom Talks
  
• Lori Hacking’s Brother Speaks
  
• Hacking Confesses Murder
  
• Jogger’s Husband Arrested
  
• Jogger’s Husband Lied
  
• Lori Soares Hacking’s Murder
  
• Bluebeard, the story
  
• Gilles de Rais
  
• Husband Finally Confesses to Wife’s Murder
  
• Raw Interview: William Pete White 1-of-3
  
• Raw Interview: William Pete White 3-of-3
  
• Lakewood Man Who Shot Wife Appears in Court
  

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• Blue beard by Donna-Quixote