Marrakesh: The Shoemaker's 36 Graves

Foul Play: A Historical True Crime Podcast

Shane L. Waters, Wendy Cee, Gemma Hoskins

History, Society & Culture, True Crime

4.5 • 992 Ratings

🗓️ 23 December 2025

⏱️ 27 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In Marrakesh, the shoemaker buried his many victims beneath his shop... This season unfolds the chilling narratives of historical serial killers worldwide. In a vibrant Marrakesh, the unassuming shoemaker, often found diligently crafting footwear, held a sinister secret beneath his shop floor. The victims, primarily lonely women seeking solace or companionship, became unwitting targets. These individuals, forgotten in life and in history, had families and dreams, only to be deceived by the promise of hope. Their stories bring a human element to this dark tragedy and call for their remembrance. The case matters historically, highlighting the intersection of innocence and crime within trade communities. It challenges modern attitudes towards trust in business dealings, revealing a vulnerability that persists to this day. Authorities unveiled the gruesome truth following reports of disappearances that led to the shoemaker's door. The concoction of soil and remains beneath his shop told a tale of calculated cruelty. His capture and the subsequent execution reverberated globally, drawing attention to the lethal capabilities of malevolence hidden in ordinary life. Set in the early 20th century, Marrakesh was a bustling hub under French colonial rule. The cultural melting pot, with its vibrant trade and social exchanges, couldn't escape the shadow of deceit. Social conditions and colonial tensions perhaps shielded deeper scrutiny into individual actions until it was too late. listeners will hear about the startling arrest, community reactions, and how these heinous acts were eventually brought to light. Prepare for an unsettling journey into the mind of a predator that took advantage of societal blind spots. --- Support Foul Play: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/foulplaypodcast Website: https://www.mythsandmalice.com/show/foul-play/ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/foul-play-crime-series/id1525832703 Follow us: Instagram: @foulplaycrimeseries Twitter: @foulplaypod

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Marrakesh, Morocco, spring of 1906.
0:10.0	The ancient Medina sprawls across the city's heart.
0:14.0	A labyrinth of narrow alleyways, where terracotta walls lean close enough to brush your shoulders from both sides.
0:23.9	The air is thick with cumin and coriander from the spice markets, mixing with a sharp tang of
0:30.7	raw leather drying in the sun from the tanneries beyond the walls.
0:36.3	Underfoot, packed earth, and smooth worn stones.
0:40.3	Overhead, wooden beams support the covered sukes,
0:45.3	filtering the harsh northern African sunlight into patterns of shadow and amber.
0:52.3	Five times a day, the Muesan's call echoes across the flat rooftops.
0:59.0	Life moves to rhythms unchanged for centuries.
1:04.0	Morocco in 1906 stands as one of the last independent nations in northern Africa.
1:10.0	Sultan Abdul al-Aziz rules from his palace one of the last independent nations in northern Africa.
1:18.4	Sultan Abdul-Ala-Ziz rules from his palace in Fez, but his authority weakens daily.
1:21.4	European powers circle.
1:23.8	France wants Morocco.
1:26.4	Spain wants pieces of it.
1:31.3	In April of that year, as the murders were about to discuss are being uncovered. Diplomats gather in Al Jazeera, Spain, carving up Morocco's future,
1:39.8	without asking Morocco. But in Marrakesha's Medina, daily life continues. Women move through the
1:48.8	narrow streets and their julebas, the hooded robes that shield them from the sun and prying eyes.
1:56.3	They shop at the suks. They visit the Ammams, the public baths that serve as social centers,
2:03.6	places where women gather, away from men's presence,
2:07.6	where news travels and bonds form.
	...

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