Vanessa Richardson

And hosted by Vanessa Richardson. This episode of Criminal Couples comes from Female Criminals, hosted by Vanessa Richardson. Sound design by Anthony Valsick, with production assistance by Ron Shapiro, Carly Madden, and Aaron Larson.

And hosted by Vanessa Richardson. This episode of Criminal Couples comes from Female Criminals, hosted by Vanessa Richardson. Sound design by Anthony Valsick, with production assistance by Ron Shapiro, Carly Madden, and Aaron Larson.

This episode of Serial Killers was written by John Levinson, with writing assistance by Abigail Cannon, fact-checking by Haley Milliken, and research by Mickey Taylor.

This episode of Serial Killers was written by John Levinson, with writing assistance by Abigail Cannon, fact-checking by Haley Milliken, and research by Mickey Taylor.

Due to the graphic nature of these crimes listener discretion is advised. This episode includes discussions of murder, suicide, assault and kidnapping. Consider this when deciding how and when you'll listen. I'm Vanessa Richardson, and welcome to Criminal Couples.

Due to the graphic nature of these crimes listener discretion is advised. This episode includes discussions of murder, suicide, assault and kidnapping. Consider this when deciding how and when you'll listen. I'm Vanessa Richardson, and welcome to Criminal Couples.

They say that there's a great woman behind every great man, and while that holds true in a lot of stories, it might be more accurate to say that those women were standing right beside their great and powerful men. That's certainly the case with Catherine Kelly, who chose a husband who could help her get everything she ever wanted.

They say that there's a great woman behind every great man, and while that holds true in a lot of stories, it might be more accurate to say that those women were standing right beside their great and powerful men. That's certainly the case with Catherine Kelly, who chose a husband who could help her get everything she ever wanted.

Sure, they were in love, but it was the kind of romance where one person was always calling the shots. You've probably heard of George Machine Gun Kelly, but I'll bet you didn't know that his loving wife was the one who helped build the mythos around him.

Sure, they were in love, but it was the kind of romance where one person was always calling the shots. You've probably heard of George Machine Gun Kelly, but I'll bet you didn't know that his loving wife was the one who helped build the mythos around him.

In this episode from Female Criminals, we're diving deep into Catherine's life, her romantic false starts, and the love that landed her in prison. Our story begins in the middle of nowhere, Mississippi. Dusty and isolated, Saltillo was so far east of the river, it rode the border of Alabama.

In this episode from Female Criminals, we're diving deep into Catherine's life, her romantic false starts, and the love that landed her in prison. Our story begins in the middle of nowhere, Mississippi. Dusty and isolated, Saltillo was so far east of the river, it rode the border of Alabama.

The small town was barely more than a collection of farms, with a population of only a couple hundred people. It was there, in 1904, that newlyweds James and Ora Brooks welcomed their first child, a daughter they named Cleo Lyra May. There aren't many specifics about Cleo's childhood, but it's safe to say her life was far from easy.

The small town was barely more than a collection of farms, with a population of only a couple hundred people. It was there, in 1904, that newlyweds James and Ora Brooks welcomed their first child, a daughter they named Cleo Lyra May. There aren't many specifics about Cleo's childhood, but it's safe to say her life was far from easy.

You see, the Brooks were small-time farmers, and in the early 1900s, that meant endless hours of backbreaking work. While people in the big cities could afford the latest fashions and dine at fancy restaurants, the Brooks family was barely scraping by. Over time, Cleo became acutely aware of her socioeconomic status and decided she wanted more.

You see, the Brooks were small-time farmers, and in the early 1900s, that meant endless hours of backbreaking work. While people in the big cities could afford the latest fashions and dine at fancy restaurants, the Brooks family was barely scraping by. Over time, Cleo became acutely aware of her socioeconomic status and decided she wanted more.

Desperate for a different future, she dreamed of being one of those city women, beautifully dressed and glittering with jewelry. But more than anything else, she wanted to be somebody other than Cleo. At some point, while still a schoolgirl, she decided to change her name.

Desperate for a different future, she dreamed of being one of those city women, beautifully dressed and glittering with jewelry. But more than anything else, she wanted to be somebody other than Cleo. At some point, while still a schoolgirl, she decided to change her name.

Before we continue with the psychology for this episode, please keep in mind that I'm not a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist, but we have done a lot of research for this show. According to psychologist Jean Twenge, a name is more than just a name. That's because it can become a symbol of the self.

Before we continue with the psychology for this episode, please keep in mind that I'm not a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist, but we have done a lot of research for this show. According to psychologist Jean Twenge, a name is more than just a name. That's because it can become a symbol of the self.