The Psychologist Who Studied Clifford Olson — What He Uncovered
Video Overview & Insights
In 1981, children were disappearing across British Columbia. Parents feared a predator was stalking bus stops, shopping malls, and highways throughout the Fraser Valley. What investigators didn't realise was that the man responsible wasn't hiding from police at all. He was talking to them.
If I'd thought he killed my child.....I'd pay $50,000 to never hear him a say a damn thing ever again.
In this episode of UNMARKED, I examine the case of Clifford Olson, one of Canada's most notorious serial killers. Drawing on my conversation with forensic psychologist Dr. Eric Hickey, we explore Olson's childhood, the development of his violent fantasies, his manipulation of police and journalists, and the institutional failures that allowed him to continue killing.
We also examine the infamous "cash for bodies" deal, in which the government agreed to pay Olson in exchange for the locations of his victims.
Kia ora brother I just subscribed n I'm glad I have u have a lovely narrator voice. I send my aroha n regards to all these families...I'm so sorry xox
Research in This episode:
MacCulloch, M. J., Snowden, P. R., Wood, P. J. W., & Mills, H. E. (1983). “Sadistic fantasy, sadistic behaviour and offending.” British Journal of Psychiatry, 143, 20–29.
Honestly feeling sort of amused that this guy they say is of significantly low intellect was able to escape from prison and game the establishment out of money. Who’s stupid now?? 😂
Helfgott, Jacqueline B. “Criminal behavior and the copycat effect: Literature review and theoretical framework for empirical investigation.” Aggression and Violent Behavior 22 (2015): 46–64.
Chapters:
Incredible incompetence on the part of the police. Really shocking and tragic.
00:00 – The Beast of B.C.
A generation of Canadians grows up in fear as children begin disappearing across British Columbia and a predator moves unnoticed among them.
P.S. - Keyes spent time in our beautiful country....God only knows what may have taken place in Montreal and in B.C. with him. Looking forward to your Israel Keyes episode. Take your time with that one - worth the wait.
10:13 – The Making of Clifford Olson
Olson's troubled childhood, early criminal behavior, prison years, and the development of the fantasies that would later fuel his crimes.
I lived in the Guildford Area, of Surrey, BC, 12yrs old in 1980. The way things were then kids always ran around unattended. I got flashed by a man in a school playground. These things have always been around just never broadcast the way they are now...I think case brought to light what was really going on.
18:20 – Learning the System
As a career offender and informant, Olson discovers how to manipulate authorities, exploit institutional weaknesses, and turn information into power.
Would be great if Dr Hickey could explain how far more children who've suffered extreme abuse, do not behave in this way? In fact many behave in quite the opposite way.
29:28 – Nine Months of Terror
Between late 1980 and the summer of 1981, Olson embarks on a devastating murder spree while repeatedly evading scrutiny despite numerous encounters with police.
This Dr. keeps saying how unintelligent this weirdo is, but in the same breath describes how criminally adept and sophisticated he is. What’s the deal?
43:39 – Cash for Bodies
Following his arrest, investigators strike a controversial deal that pays Olson to reveal the locations of his victims, igniting a national debate that endures decades later.
I had to stop halfway through, I’m enraged. The lack of value our society gives to women and children is so low….not long ago I naively believed that we had gone pass that but, seeing how people rationalize and don’t give a flying f*ck about whatever is in the Epstein files anymore or how incarcerating children is seen as a normal thing or how sending an American child with cancer to a country were she is not going to receive the care she was getting because, her mother is getting deported. Listening to this kind of failure to hold this man accountable by the authorities is making my blood pressure go up.
48:55 – Conviction, Failure, and Legacy
Olson dies in prison, but the questions remain. How did so many warning signs go ignored, and what does his case reveal about the institutions that failed to stop him?
Dr. Thomas Fleming was a professor of mine in Canada. He met Olson and studied him. I'll never forget one of the crime scenes he described (and I won't say it here). That one stuck with me. An amazing professor who I reached out to years later as I study this field. Not for the faint of heart - the abyss is very real.
Show Notes:
If you want to go deeper into the Charles Manson case, my book Charles Manson: The Last Words documents years researching the story and speaking directly with members of the Manson Family — including Charles Manson himself.
PLINKITY PLONK! PLONK ! mumble LA LA LAAAAA! dialog PLINNNNNKKKKK! PLONKKK
Read it here:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GQ6QRVQ7
These are excellent videos. Keep them up!
For those who want to examine the evidence directly, complete phone calls and documents are available inside UNMARKED: Case Files, our research portal, along with ad-free episodes.
If you want to follow the cases as I’m working on them, you can find me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamesbuddyday/
What IS it about the west coast of North America that spawns serial killers?
#TrueCrime #SerialKiller #UnmarkedPodcast #Cliffordolson
Maybe he wasn't a master manipulator. Maybe the cops just didn't care to make the connections.
More User Perspectives
Castration is the 1st step
@inspiredlife311I expect this despicable behaviour from a soulless psychopath, but what can we say of the police who don’t take disappearances of children seriously. Even if they are runaways, they should be taken seriously and investigated. Makes me sick to my stomach
@socol76Absolutely disgusting 🤮
@inspiredlife311What colossal incompetence of the police/authorities
@DCornwell-d2tThe Mind Is So Complex Beyond Our Comprehension….Excellent Podcast!!!
@chikacherrycola9189Where are you from? You said this happened in the province next to you so I am assuming Alberta. I am also from Alberta, Edmonton. No wonder I love your Channel!
@Reginafalange7623I had to visit Wikipedia to get some info on this guy. Never heard of him before but the fact that his family got paid off by law enforcements for the crimes he comitted by helping them find the dead bodies sounds crazy to me.
All in all the police embaressed themselves.
Rest in peace to all of his victims
Another excellent video, thank you for sharing
@kevinhensley4643thank you for covering this so his crimes were so horrible lived in B.C at the time. Those innocent victims just so heartbreaking.
@rubydawn1(ALL CAPS AS I AM LEGALLY BLIND) HELLO : MR DAY. I AM SO VERY IMPRESSED BY YOUR RESEARCH, PUTTING YOUR VIDEO TOGETHER & HANDS DOWN THE BEST NARRATOR.
I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY I'VE NOT GOTTEN ANY NOTIFICATIONS WHEN UR PUTTING OUT A VIDEO. I'VE BEEN SUBSCRIBED & HAVE MY NOTIFICATIONS ON. I JUST HAPPENED ACROSS YOU BY CHANCE TODAY.
THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK & TIME. YOU ARE CERTAINLY APPRECIATED, LOVED & RESPECTED.
MUCH LOVE FROM VERMONT STATE
I know you've heard this already but your content is great I look forward to every Wednesday when I get my notification thank you
@allnaturaledgedesignsWTF is going on here 🤯😤🤯
@TrudiMcCThis is insane,
@TrudiMcCOkay, I tried one more time to watch this podcaster, and I just can't.The background noise is insufferable. A lot of podcasts are doing this unfortunately
@debdeb-e8sHe learned alot for a man of low intelligence
@TrudiMcCI think the picture you are showing for Gary Marcoux is actually Kevin Coe
@CaseyJ74Have i been living under a rock? Was paying criminals for information a thing?
@TrudiMcCOnly Canada or somewhere in europe.
@jonathandoe2316In what world is it ok to pay these criminals
@TrudiMcCYes!
@isaacmartinezbroadwayornoway