The Phyllis Cottle Story

Veteran journalist Carol Costello revisits the first big assignment she covered as a rookie reporter. In March of 1984, Phyllis Cottle was kidnapped as she left work in downtown Akron, Ohio, brutally assaulted, and left to die. Except, against all odds, she survived.

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Coming Soon! Carol Costello Presents: Blind Rage

Psychologists call them “Triumphant Survivors,” but Phyllis Cottle was more than a survivor, she used her crime to better herself and the world around her.

In 1984, Phyllis was kidnapped, raped, robbed, stabbed repeatedly in both eyes and left to die in a burning car. Detectives called her a “living homicide victim” because she was blinded in the attack and could not identify her rapist, but Phyllis was no victim. Throughout her hours-long ordeal she never panicked, opting instead to channel a sort of controlled rage to catch her abuser.

Phyllis turned into a detective and inspired thousands of traumatized women who were looking for a superhero and found one in this tenacious survivor.

In this upcoming podcast, journalist Carol Costello will revisit the first big assignment she covered as a 22-year-old, novice reporter, sharing how the story unfolded and her experiences in an ‘eighties-era newsroom.

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Update: DNA Results | "I'm a Gun Man"

Killer Podcasts | S:1 E:16
The Ohio Innocence Project shares findings on DNA found on Phyllis' clothing 40 years ago, and Carol explores some of Herring's claims of innocenc...
Listen to Update: DNA Results | "I'm a Gun Man"

Update: The Unthinkable

Killer Podcasts | S:1 E:16
Carol shares a shocking development in the case of Phyllis Cottle's brutal assault....
Listen to Update: The Unthinkable

Bonus: Survivors and the Media

Killer Podcasts | S:1 E:15
Carol interviews her former colleague, award-winning producer Ronni Berke, about what it’s like to interview victims....
Listen to Bonus: Survivors and the Media

Bonus: A Spiritual Awakening

Killer Podcasts | S:1 E:14
In this bonus episode, Carol interviews attorney Larry Vuillemin, Phyllis’ good friend who shared a similar spiritual experience with her....
Listen to Bonus: A Spiritual Awakening