Blue Ridge True Crime
Podcast Description
Appalachian true crime stories and history, examining crimes and stories from the notorious to the obscure, from frontier times to modern-day mysteries.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
Focuses on criminal history and folklore within Appalachia, with episodes detailing both famous and obscure crime stories, highlighted by discussions such as the life and legend of Otto Wood, exploring themes of myth-making and cultural impact in Appalachian balladry.

Compelling true crime stories from the Appalachian Mountains and beyond. This podcast explores crimes and stories, from the notorious to the obscure, spanning frontier times to modern-day mysteries. Crimes, history, mysteries, and more. Keeping history alive, one crime at a time.
He was a beloved legend on the Appalachian Trail, a generous, devout hiker known for his kindness and Jerry Garcia beard.
To his fellow thru-hikers, he was ”Bismarck.” But to the FBI, he was James Hammes, a fugitive accountant who had vanished after allegedly embezzling $8.7 million from his employer. For years, he lived a double life, hiking thousands of miles while hiding in plain sight.
In this episode, we unravel how a massive white-collar crime led to an unexpected arrest on the A.T., explore the dark secrets of his past, and uncover how his hunger for the spotlight and a TV rerun finally brought his run to an end.
Noteworthy sources for this episode
”A Long Walk's End” by William Browning (SB Nation Longform): A deep dive into Hammes' life on the trail.
”American Greed: The Fugitives” (Season 1, Episode 4): The TV episode that led to his capture.
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