Episode #231 | 04.29.25
Winona Ryder: Drowning, Designer Theft, and a Deadly Kidnapping
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Between beatnik parents, an LSD guru godfather, and an unconventional upbringing in Northern California, it’s not surprising that Winona Ryder became America’s endearing weirdo in the 1990s. Her noir starpower shined from an early age in movies like Beetlejuice, Heathers, and Edward Scissorhands, but her penchant for dark roles would lead her towards crime in real life. The only thing weirder than Winona’s $5,000 shoplifting spree and the kidnapping of a girl from her own hometown is how the two stories unexpectedly intertwine.
Sources
Winona Ryder: The Biography, by Nigel Goodall
Winona Ryder (2009) (Interview)
Winona Ryder (2013) (Interview)
Actress Offers Reward to Find Kidnaped Girl (Los Angeles Times)
Parents’ Written Plea Begs Kidnaper to Return 12-Year-Old (Los Angeles Times)
The Abduction of Polly Klaas (The FBI Files)
Police Find Body of Girl Kidnapped in California (New York Times)
Man Is Convicted of Kidnapping Polly Klaas (New York Times)
Winona Ryder arrested on suspicion of shoplifting (The Guardian)
For the Ryder Trial, a Hollywood Script (New York Times)
Winona Ryder Convicted in Shoplifting Case (New York Times)
Prosecutor Rips Her ‘Kid’ Bid For Sympathy (New York Post)
Winona Ryder Convicted of 2 Counts in Shoplifting (New York Times)
Ryder Sentenced to Probation and Community Service (New York Times)
Justice, Hollywood Style (New York Times)
Winona Ryder opens up about 2001 shoplifting arrest (CBS)
The Grim Reasons Winona Ryder Vanished From Hollywood (Forbes)
Credits
Hosted by Jake Brennan.
Written by Victoria Wasylak.
Copy edited by Pat Healy.
Scored and mixed by Colin Fleming.
Additional music and score elements by Ryan Spraker.
*illustrations by Avi Spivak @avispivak