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Candyman: The True Story Behind The Bathroom Mirror Murder

CBS News

True CrimeSociety & CultureTV & Film

On April 22, 1987, 52-year-old Ruthie Mae McCoy called 911 to report that someone was trying to enter her Chicago housing project apartment through the bathroom medicine cabinet. Police thought she was imagining things, but when authorities finally checked on McCoy two days later, they found her dead with four gunshot wounds. Candyman: The True Story Behind the Bathroom Mirror Murder, revisits the real-life account of McCoy's strange death – one of the inspirations for the Candyman horror film. Hosted by journalist and Chicago native Dometi Pongo, this 6-episode limited series – produced by 48 Hours and CBS News – explores why McCoy's desperate calls for help were ignored, the surprising outcome of her murder trial, and the broader systemic issues of racial injustice, housing inequality, and the stigma of mental illness that surround this tragic event. Candyman is a Webby nominee! Show your support for the series and vote for Candyman for best Crime & Justice - Limited Series & Specials here: https://vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting#/2025/podcasts/limited-series-specials/crime-justice

Episodes

Introducing Blood Is Thicker: The Farris Wheel

Introducing Blood Is Thicker: The Farris Wheel

When the remains of the patriarch of a wealthy Georgia family were discovered on his Georgia farm, investigators asked who would want to kill Gary Farris, and why? What they discovered is a dysfunctional family fueled by jealousy, betrayal, and money-related tensions. Soon, allegations start flying round and round like a sinister Ferris wheel... and a mother and son face off over who could be responsible for destroying their family. Listen to Blood is Thicker: The Farris Wheel now, wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

2min•Mar 11, 2026

Ruthie Mae's Reflection: 6

Ruthie Mae's Reflection: 6

The judge and jury announce the fates of the two men accused of killing Ruthie Mae McCoy. Host Dometi Pongo looks at how the fourth Candyman film upends the franchise and the new exhibit honoring Ruthie Mae set to open in Chicago. Get ad-free access to episodes of Candyman: The True Story Behind The Bathroom Mirror Murder by subscribing to 48 Hours+ on Apple Podcasts or Wondery+ on the Wondery app. Subscribe to 48 Hours+: https://apple.co/4aEgENo Subscribe to Wondery+: https://wondery.com/plus/ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

29min•Nov 7, 2024

The Wavering Witness: 5

The Wavering Witness: 5

The two young men arrested for Ruthie Mae McCoy's murder go on trial three years after their arrest. Prosecutors planned to rely on the testimony of a star witness, but everything changes once he takes the stand. Steve Bogira spoke to the relatives of both suspects for his 1990 Chicago Reader article: https://shorturl.at/xMQ77 Get early, ad-free access to episodes of Candyman: The True Story Behind The Bathroom Mirror Murder by subscribing to 48 Hours+ on Apple Podcasts or Wondery+ on the Wondery app. Subscribe to 48 Hours+: https://apple.co/4aEgENo Subscribe to Wondery+: https://wondery.com/plus/ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

34min•Oct 31, 2024

Based on a True Story: 4

Based on a True Story: 4

While the suspects for Ruthie Mae McCoy's murder wait in jail, a British director is on the hunt for his next film. Host Dometi Pongo finds out how a murder similar to McCoy's ended up in Bernard Rose's 1992 Candyman and discovers just how many details stem from a fateful trip the director took to the Chicago projects. Get early, ad-free access to episodes of Candyman: The True Story Behind The Bathroom Mirror Murder by subscribing to 48 Hours+ on Apple Podcasts or Wondery+ on the Wondery app. Subscribe to 48 Hours+: https://apple.co/4aEgENo Subscribe to Wondery+: https://wondery.com/plus/ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

40min•Oct 24, 2024

The Suspects Next Door: 3

The Suspects Next Door: 3

Detective Anthony Mannina and his team find little physical evidence at the scene. When they question witnesses, most point the finger at two young suspects. While cops pursued one kind of justice, Ruthie Mae McCoy's daughter sued the Chicago Housing Authority for not doing more to protect her mother. Get early, ad-free access to episodes of Candyman: The True Story Behind The Bathroom Mirror Murder by subscribing to 48 Hours+ on Apple Podcasts or Wondery+ on the Wondery app. Subscribe to 48 Hours+: https://apple.co/4aEgENo Subscribe to Wondery+: https://wondery.com/plus/ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

36min•Oct 17, 2024

Deadly Design: 2

Deadly Design: 2

Ruthie Mae McCoy wasn’t the only person who reported having someone come through her mirror. Host Dometi Pongo looks at the reality of life in Chicago projects and how the design of her building may have contributed to her death. Get early, ad-free access to episodes of Candyman: The True Story Behind The Bathroom Mirror Murder by subscribing to 48 Hours+ on Apple Podcasts or Wondery+ on the Wondery app. Subscribe to 48 Hours+: https://apple.co/4aEgENo Subscribe to Wondery+: https://wondery.com/plus/ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

34min•Oct 10, 2024

Left High and Dry: 1

Left High and Dry: 1

Calling 911 didn't get Ruthie Mae McCoy help. The night she was shot, police didn't even break down her apartment door to check on her. Her body was discovered days later. The bizarre detail that McCoy was killed by someone entering through her bathroom medicine cabinet caught the attention of reporter Steve Bogira who decided to investigate the crime himself. His 1987 Chicago Reader article: https://shorturl.at/scu3P Get early, ad-free access to episodes of Candyman: The True Story Behind The Bathroom Mirror Murder by subscribing to 48 Hours+ on Apple Podcasts or Wondery+ on the Wondery app starting September 26th. The series will be widely available everywhere else you get your podcasts starting October 3rd. Subscribe to 48 Hours+: https://apple.co/4aEgENo Subscribe to Wondery+: https://wondery.com/plus/ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

36min•Oct 3, 2024

The Strange Death of Ruthie Mae McCoy

The Strange Death of Ruthie Mae McCoy

52-year-old Ruthie Mae McCoy’s frantic 911 call stated, “They want to come through the bathroom.” Nearly three days later, police found her shot to death, her apartment breached through her bathroom medicine cabinet. In Candyman: The True Story Behind the Bathroom Mirror Murder, Chicago native and journalist Dometi Pongo uncovers the terrifying reality of McCoy’s murder, which was one of the inspirations for the “Candyman” horror franchise. Get early, ad-free access to episodes of Candyman: The True Story Behind the Bathroom Mirror Murder by subscribing to 48 Hours+ on Apple Podcasts or Wondery+ on the Wondery app. Subscribe to 48 Hours+: https://apple.co/4aEgENo Subscribe to Wondery+: https://wondery.com/plus/ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

3min•Sep 18, 2024

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