On this week’s episode, we discuss our unanimous love for Crimetown’s latest podcast, The Ballad of Billy Balls. The podcast is narrated by New York native, iO Tillet Wright, who sets out to shed light on the death of William Heitzman, also known as Billy Balls.
In 1982, Billy is shot in his storefront apartment by an undercover police officer in a cowboy hat. In the first few episodes we hear from Rebecca, Billy’s long-timegirlfriend, on the events of that night and the following days as they unravelled after Billy’s death. The podcast begins as a “whodunnit” serialised podcast, and develops into something much more. It chronicles Rebecca’s life in the aftermath of Billy’s death, and the major effect it had not only on Rebecca, but all those who lives continue to be altered 37 years later.
iO Tillet Wright is an exceptional storyteller, walking you through life on the grimy streets, and dingey apartment in the 1970-1980’s New York.
The Ballad of Billy Balls rates highly among all three Murder Friends, even going so far as to say one of our favourite podcasts to date. If you have not listened to the 13-part podcast, we recommend you listen before catching up with our discussion. This one is not to be missed!
If you have finished the podcast and are looking for more, check out iO’s memoir, Darling Days, available on Amazon Books.
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Featured image: Ballad of Billy Balls cover art, Crime Town Presents
I like the podcast a lot, great first episode – please keep them coming?
Here’s a mystery you need to investigate – google “the Manchester Pusher’
Chris
Thanks for the suggestion! We’ll add it to the list!