Portugal: The 1772 Foundling Wheel Killer

Foul Play: A Historical True Crime Podcast

Shane L. Waters, Wendy Cee, Gemma Hoskins

History, Society & Culture, True Crime

4.5 • 992 Ratings

🗓️ 17 July 2025

⏱️ 42 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In 18th-century Portugal, amid olive groves, a caretaker discovered a shallow grave containing an infant's body. The Foundling Wheel Killer of 1772 walks us along the tragic paths of historical serial killers in Season 36 of Foul Play. Known simply as the Foundling Wheel Killer, this figure was linked to a series of mysterious infant deaths. Before this notoriety, the individuals involved were seen as residents dutifully caring for society's most vulnerable. Yet, beneath was a grim secret. This episode reveals the systemic negligence and moral failings of an era. By examining these crimes, we understand the precarious lives of orphans and the exploitative practices that preyed upon innocence. The Foundling Wheel, a rotating wooden device to leave unwanted infants anonymously, was supposed to be a refuge. Instead, it became a source of dread as mortality rates among these children soared. The investigation eventually pointed to murder, leading to widespread outrage and sorrow. In the 18th century, Portugal was a society struggling with poverty and infant mortality. The Foundling Wheel, while intended to protect, also highlighted grievous social failings as it turned into a site of unchecked tragedy. Foul Play takes you through chilling accounts of the investigation, illustrating how societal pressures and ignorance gave rise to tragedy. Join as we sift through historical records to uncover truths behind a long-forgotten Portuguese horror. --- 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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2:12.7	A thin sliver of moonlight falls over the olive groves on the outskirts of Coimbra, Portugal.
2:18.4	It is a cool spring night in 1772. Angelica Maria, a caretaker from the local foundling home, walks the narrow path of Montaario,
	...

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