This podcast aimed to explore the complex, haunting story of Ruthie Mae McCoy’s death and highlight the deep-seated social issues underlying her case. Our goal was to examine how systemic racial injustices, housing inequality, and mental health stigmas may have influenced her tragic fate. Through this investigation, we hoped to raise awareness and encourage reflection on these systemic challenges, using Ruthie's story to give voice to similar, often-overlooked experiences.
To bring Candyman: The True Story Behind the Bathroom Mirror Murder to life, we aimed to explore Ruthie Mae McCoy’s tragic story beyond sensationalism, focusing on systemic issues like racial bias, mental health stigma, and housing inequality. Host Dometi Pongo, a Chicago native, added context and empathy. We balanced firsthand accounts and expert insights, addressing challenges like sourcing sensitive, reliable information. This unique approach honors Ruthie as a person, encouraging listeners to reflect on her story’s deeper meaning. We worked with the award-winning production company, Neon Hum, on this project and they helped bring the series to life.
Our podcast achieved its goal of highlighting Ruthie Mae McCoy's story within a broader social context, sparking conversations on race, mental health, and housing inequality. Listener engagement and critical acclaim affirm its impact and meaningful resonance. On the Apple Podcast charts, Candyman: The True Story Behind the Bathroom Mirror Murder reached #8 All Podcasts and #3 True Crime. The podcast was also one of Amazon Music’s Best Podcast of The Year for 2024.
