In May 2025, the CBC True Crime podcast "Calls From a Killer" released a series of episodes that expose one of Canada's most chilling criminal cases through an unprecedented archive: hundreds of hours of secret phone calls made by serial killer Clifford Olson from his prison cell.
Olson was convicted in 1982 of murdering 11 children and teenagers in the 1980s. His victims ranged in age from 9 to 18 years old, including 14-year-old Judy Kozma, who disappeared after her shift at McDonald's in the summer of 1981. The case would become one of Canada's most infamous serial killer investigations, yet key details about the crimes remained buried—until now.
The recordings began in 1990 when journalist Arlene Bynon received collect calls from Olson's prison cell. Bynon, working with her former reporting partner Pete, recorded these calls over years, creating an extraordinary archive that would later be shared with Pete's grandson Nathaniel Frum. Together, the three co-hosts the podcast that brings these chilling tapes to international audiences.
What makes these recordings particularly significant is what Olson reveals. Speaking from behind bars, he disclosed information "he hasn't told anyone else"—details about his crimes that had never surfaced during the original investigation or legal proceedings. The calls paint a portrait of a man willing to confess while imprisoned, offering insights into cases that had long gone unsolved.
Olson's original investigation was notably bungled by authorities. The RCMP's initial case against him was weak, forcing investigators to take an unusual approach: they negotiated a deal with Olson himself, who ultimately confessed to the murders. This plea arrangement led to his conviction and a sentence of 25 years without parole. However, the investigation's failures meant that crucial details about his crimes remained incomplete—gaps that these prison recordings now help to fill.
The context of these calls is equally revealing. Olson had a long history as a career criminal and had even worked as an RCMP informant. In the summer of 1981, police conducted surveillance on him, observing him picking up hitchhikers in his car. When arrested during this period—initially on a charge of contributing to juvenile delinquency—he was released by 3:30 a.m., allowing him to continue his predatory activities.
The podcast recordings capture Olson in intimate detail, with one notable image showing him "hanging with two arms through the bars" during in-person prison visits, with recordings beginning immediately after those visits. These hundreds of hours of audio represent a rare window into the mind of a serial killer, unfiltered and uncensored.
