Advertise on podcast: Hell in Heaven: A Mysterious Death in Paradise
Rating
4.6from
This podcast has
28 episodes
Language
EnglishPublisher
Exactly Right and iHeartPodcastsExplicit
Yes
Date created
2024/02/20
Latest episode
2026/09/03
Average duration
35 min.
Release period
24 days
Description
A young Wall Street genius lands in the Costa Rican jungle with a vast fortune and visions of paradise - but ends up in hell. He and his wife build a spectacular circular mansion deep in the rainforest - a sanctuary for themselves and for endangered wildlife. But sinister forces soon have the couple fearing for their lives. As paranoia takes root and shadows close in, the troubled pair steadily lose their grip on reality. They transform their paradise home into a fortress surrounded by armed guards. The story reaches its bloody climax in an open air bedroom lit by 400 Tiffany lamps. A single gunshot leaves one of them dead, igniting three explosive murder trials - and a baffling mystery. Over eight compelling episodes this is the unmissable story of John and Ann Bender - a true tale of wealth, isolation and obsession. From Exactly Right Media and iHeartPodcasts, and produced by Blanchard House, Hell in Heaven is hosted by award-winning journalist Becky Milligan. Also in this feed is host Becky Milligan's true crime limited series, The Butterfly King: A WWII Murder Mystery. When King Boris III of Bulgaria dies amid mysterious circumstances during World War II, there's no shortage of suspects. But eighty years later, his death remains unsolved. Award-winning journalist Becky Milligan follows a trail of dissidents, poisoners, soldiers and spies to unravel eighty years of lies and cover-ups. This tragic family saga of a doomed royal dynasty is a story of treachery, deceit and a quest for the truth. Who killed the Butterfly King? The Butterfly King is a podcast from Exactly Right, produced by Blanchard House.
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Check latest episodes from Hell in Heaven: A Mysterious Death in Paradise podcast
Episode 8: I Am What I Am
2026/09/03
In the season finale, cracks start to show in Laila and Evelyn’s relationship as they adjust to the hell of their new circumstances. The couple are forced apart for the first time in decades but, after an emotional homecoming, life will never be the same again.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Episode 7: Turning Right
2026/08/27
Laila and Evelyn are forced to return to England to face their demons, though they strike up a surprising friendship en route. After touching down in London, they check in to less refined quarters than the ritzy hotels they’re used to. With only each other left to cling to, the duo endure an agonising wait for their day of reckoning.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Episode 6: Bonehead
2026/08/20
Laying low on the other side of the world, it looks like Evelyn and Laila have outfoxed Detective Jim Frost. But the tireless English cop catches a break as Evelyn’s tendency for mischief leads to an early-morning drama, while the couple’s suburban neighbors look on aghast.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Episode 5: Starting Over
2026/08/13
Detective Jim Frost is closing in on Evelyn and Laila. The couple are running out of money as they wait for a massive cash windfall to be wired from the US. Increasingly desperate, the pair attempt to outwit the dogged English detective and plan a daring escape to somewhere they hope Jim Frost will never find them.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Episode 4: Good Cop, Bad Cop
2026/08/06
In England, Evelyn plays it cool as Detective Jim Frost turns up the heat on the couple’s investment business. More details emerge about Evelyn and Laila’s dark past in Australia and their hasty escape overseas. But just as Jim Frost thinks he has the couple cornered, their loyal butler Lars comes to the rescue.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Episode 3: Cat and Mouse
2026/07/30
A fire alarm at Evelyn and Laila’s country hotel has potentially catastrophic consequences for our Aussie couple. Laila attempts to reassure their spooked investors. Meanwhile, a small-town detective starts to take a keen interest in Evelyn’s business activities. And Laila reveals her tough start in life and how she got drawn into Melbourne’s sex trade.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Episode 1: The Horsey Set
2026/07/23
England, 1996. Two larger-than-life, fabulously wealthy Australian women blow into town promising rich investors spectacular returns. Evelyn Burton and her lover Laila Andre are welcomed into the rarefied world of horses and old money, making plans to buy a vast country house with a huge staff. But the colourful couple are concealing a dark past and diabolical intentions.
Royal Swindle is a Blanchard House production for USG Audio, in partnership with Exactly Right Media.
Hosted by: Becky Milligan
Written and Produced by: Becky Milligan and Seren Jones
Original Music by: Daniel Lloyd Evans, Louis Nanke-Mannell and Toby Matimong
Sound Design and Mix Engineering by: Volkan Kiziltug, Toby Matimong and Daniel Lloyd-Evans
Story Development by: Duncan Barber
Managing Producer: Amica Sciortino Nowlan
Production Support from: Josh Laolagi at USG Audio
Creative Director of Blanchard House: Rosie Pye
Executive Producer and Head of Content at Blanchard House: Laurence Grissell
Executive Producer from USG Audio: Josh Bloch
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Episode 2: The Golden Ticket
2026/07/23
Evelyn and Laila get a rude awakening at one of London’s swankiest hotels. They set their sights on the British royals as Evelyn spots a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take their investment business to the next level. But drunk with success, the pair make a miscalculation which will very soon come back to haunt them.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hell in Heaven - 7: A Second Chance
2025/11/13
The second trial concludes with a verdict that stuns Costa Rica. Ann Bender adjusts to a completely new way of life as a terrible tragedy shatters her world further. Meanwhile, public opinion dramatically shifts. A second trial is granted, the defence sharpens their case and judges consider the evidence one last time.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hell in Heaven - 6: The Folly of Two
2025/11/06
John Bender’s death soon becomes a cause celebre. But the woman at the centre of police suspicion is now the hospital. Ann’s psychiatrist is shocked at her physical and mental state. As the full story of the Benders’ isolation unfolds, prosecutors make their move and judges reach a verdict. But the Costa Rican authorities have a surprise in store.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hell in Heaven - 5: The Night Of
2025/10/30
It’s midnight in the jungle. The Benders are alone. A single shot rings out. One person is dead. As police arrive on the scene, they initially conclude it’s a suicide. But suspicion grows and the scene raises questions. But soon, the suspect is out of reach of detectives.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hell in Heaven - 4: A Beautiful Mind
2025/10/23
Before Costa Rica, there was Wall Street. John Bender has a mind built for numbers - and makes a vast fortune betting against the crowd. Friends describe him as brilliant, a little arrogant - and haunted. John’s academic parents are relieved when he decides to escape the world of high finance and build a different kind of empire in the trees - but it will prove to be a decision with dark consequences.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hell in Heaven - 3: The Ambush
2025/10/16
On a routine excursion, the Benders are ambushed. Guns are drawn. Is it a robbery, or something far more sinister? The couple are certain they’re about to be kidnapped. In the aftermath, they ramp up security at their jungle compound, hiring a former police chief to protect them. Fearing for their safety, the couple retreat further and further from the outside world.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hell in Heaven - 2: Trouble in the Valley
2025/10/09
Dark forces gather as the Benders’ presence grows more controversial. The couple’s jungle fortress stands apart from everything around it - lavish, secretive and utterly out of place. Neighbours speculate. Resentments stir. Mystics speak of a curse. Behind the gates, the atmosphere shifts as the couple’s physical and mental health start to decline.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hell in Heaven - 1: The House of Secrets
2025/10/09
A jungle compound. A midnight emergency call. The mystery begins. At the centre of it all: John and Ann Bender. Young, brilliant and impossibly rich, they set out to build a vast mansion and wildlife sanctuary in the Costa Rican rainforest. But something is off. Not everything in paradise is what it seems.
Hell in Heaven is a production of Exactly Right Media and iHeart Podcasts, produced by Blanchard House.
From Blanchard House
Hosted, Written and Produced by: Becky Milligan
Co-Writer and Producer: Poppy Damon
Original Music: Daniel Lloyd Evans, Louis Nanke-Mannell and Toby Matimong
Sound Recordist, and Head of Sound and Music: Daniel Lloyd-Evans
Lead Sound Designer: Volkan Kiziltug
Managing Producer: Amica Sciortino Nowlan
Creative Director: Rosie Pye
Executive Producer and Head of Content: Laurence Grissell
From Exactly Right
Artwork: Vanessa Lilak
Executive Producers: Karen Kilgariff, Georgia Hardstark and Danielle Kramer
Consulting Producer: Lily Ladewig
Associate Producer: Jay Elias
From iHeart Podcasts
Executive Producers: Katrina Norvell, Anna Stumpf and Nikki Ettore
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Podcast reviews
Read Hell in Heaven: A Mysterious Death in Paradise podcast reviews
1sarahjsmith 2026/09/11
Crooks Laila and Evelyn
I was on their sides the whole time. But… the story does change my mind eventually. I listened for the lesbian love, swindling and I love the term: “H...
catmcaran 2026/09/04
The perfect listen
This was super quaint, and I really enjoyed Becky’s narration.
KMN? 2026/09/03
Keep them coming!
Love love the ‘characters’ in this true crime story! Thank you creating such entertaining podcasts!
Moviestarm 2026/09/03
Thank you, CherryPicks for introducing me to this
Wow, what a show!
busterbrenda10 2026/08/21
Becky
I LOVE the way Becky Milligan tells a story. Can’t wait for the next one. And that will be….?
OGGrannyAnnie 2026/08/19
Next episode?
I am really enjoying this podcast. Does anyone know when episode six will drop?
my_review.name() 2026/08/14
Obsessed
Can’t get enough!
Luvswerds 2026/08/09
Royal Swindle
Exactly Right did it again! Love it.
SillyLilGoosey 2026/08/07
Such a gripping story
I love Blanchard House and Royal Swindle is my favorite season yet! What a captivating story.
Professor Podcast Lover 2026/08/06
I’m hooked
This is my favorite Blanchard House podcast thus far. It’s a great story with unbelievable characters and whip-smart narrative pacing.
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