S9 E27 - Murder in a Teacup - Poisoning the Pecks of Grand Rapids

Murder, poison, and deception inside a quiet Grand Rapids home.
In 1916, Stanley Peck nearly died after months of mysterious illnesses. What looked like a simple case of “gastric troubles” soon unraveled into one of Michigan’s most twisted domestic plots. Behind it: a domineering mother, her conflicted daughter, and a smooth-talking fraud who called himself a doctor.

In this episode of Malice in the Mitten, we dive deep into the shocking true story of the Peck family poison plot — a scandal involving morphine, atropine, false diagnoses, secret vials, and a slow, methodical attempt to kill a husband from the inside out.

Based on historical records and Robin T. Buhk’s Poisoning the Pecks of Grand Rapids, this episode explores how manipulation, obsession, and trust turned deadly in early 20th-century Michigan.

Theme song written and recorded by Alan Hunt

Original artwork by Todd Preston

Story written and researched by Tracy Preston

Recorded and edited by Tracy Preston

Original music Slow Murder by Tracy Preston

Sources: 

Buhk, Tobin T. Poisoning the Pecks of Grand Rapids: The Scandalous 1916 Murder Plot. History Press, 2020.

Grand Rapids Herald,” June–August 1916 archives.

Grand Rapids Press,” 1916 coverage of the Peck case.

Butterfield, L. C. Medical testimony, Grand Rapids Court Records, 1916.

Kendallville Police Arrest Report, Albert Sweet, 1916.

Sound effects from Uppbeat:  restuarant-ambiance-restaurant-crowd-walla-fascinatedsound-1-00-45.mp3 / train-horn-distance-fascinatedsound-1-01-22-mp3 / typewriter-keyboard-typing-bell-tomas-herudek-medium-1-00-09.mp3 / trailer-impact-heartbeat-clock-ticking-tomas-herudek-1-00-25.mp3 / transition-heartbeat-tension-fast-the-foundation-1-00-19.mp3 / kettle-whistling-steam-jeff-kaale-2-00-09.mp3 / kitchen-room-tone-ambience-gfx-sounds-3-3-01-27.mp3 / old-clock-ticking-in-museum-ivo-vicic-1-00-34.mp3 / winter.breeze-blowing-trees-in-forest-ivo-vicic-1-02-38.mp3 / fire-in-a-large-hall-gfx-sounds-3-3-02-08.mp3