When prosecutors dug into Helen Brach’s disappearance, they uncovered a massive horse-fraud scheme led by charming con man Richard Bailey. Wealthy widows were love-bombed, money disappeared, and insured horses began dying under suspicious circumstances.

The investigation exploded into a RICO case involving trainers, vets, fake paperwork, insurance scams — even a hired horse killer. Though Helen’s body was never found, a judge later ruled there was enough evidence to believe Bailey conspired in her murder.

He served decades in federal prison.
He still claims innocence.
Helen’s case remains unsolved.

So who really silenced the Candy Lady?

💬 Text Ruby & Mel HERE!

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Music by audionautix.com: Jason Shaw


All individuals mentioned in this podcast are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The information presented is based on publicly available sources and is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. We make every effort to ensure accuracy, but details may vary as new information becomes available.

This podcast does not condone or glorify criminal behavior. Our goal is to shed light on true events, promote awareness, and honor the victims and their families.

Money. Horses. Manipulation. Disappearance.
Helen Brach, a candy heiress, vanished in 1977, leaving no body, no arrests, and a trail of secrets involving inheritance schemes and Chicago’s racing scene. A place where money ran fast, and secrets ran faster.
The mystery remains — because sometimes the truth disappears too.

Books

Hot Blood: The Money, the Brach Heiress, and the Horse Murders by Ken Englade

Thin Air: The Life and Mysterious Disappearance of Helen Brach by Pat Colander

Who Killed the Candy Lady?: Unwrapping the Unsolved Murder of Helen Brach by James Ylisela

💬 Text Ruby & Mel HERE!

Support the show

Music by audionautix.com: Jason Shaw


All individuals mentioned in this podcast are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The information presented is based on publicly available sources and is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. We make every effort to ensure accuracy, but details may vary as new information becomes available.

This podcast does not condone or glorify criminal behavior. Our goal is to shed light on true events, promote awareness, and honor the victims and their families.

Bobby Peterson, and his friends John and Tony Shuessler vanished after a movie in 1955 and were later found murdered. The truth stayed silent for 40 years.

A mob informant.
A confession.
Two trials.
And a man who died claiming innocence.

The same names surface again in a possible connection to the disappearance of Patty Blough, Renee Bruhl, and Ann Miller, in Michigan.

Listen to this weeks episode to see how this all connects into our Horse Crimes series.

Also including a promo for another great podcast: Hooked on True Crime

💬 Text Ruby & Mel HERE!

Support the show

Music by audionautix.com: Jason Shaw


All individuals mentioned in this podcast are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The information presented is based on publicly available sources and is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. We make every effort to ensure accuracy, but details may vary as new information becomes available.

This podcast does not condone or glorify criminal behavior. Our goal is to shed light on true events, promote awareness, and honor the victims and their families.