The Chilling Truth Behind 'Lords Of Death' Podcast: Inside Thrasher Banks' Personal True Crime Nightmare

The "Lords of Death" podcast remains one of the most intensely personal and unsettling investigative true crime series ever produced, a deep dive into a 1995 murder that hits disturbingly close to home for its host. As of December 17, 2025, the original series, produced by Tenderfoot TV and Audacy, is considered a definitive limited-run investigation, offering a chilling exploration of memory, perception, and the lingering shadows of the Satanic Panic era in Ohio. The podcast’s unique strength lies in its host's direct, emotional connection to the case, turning a cold case file into a harrowing personal quest for truth and closure.

The series, which first captivated listeners with its raw storytelling and meticulous research, centers on a brutal crime in Dayton, Ohio, forcing the host to confront long-held presumptions about the culpability of a man close to his own family. By unearthing forgotten evidence like VHS tapes, police reports, and faded letters, "Lords of Death" masterfully intertwines a cold case review with a psychological exploration of trauma and the reliability of childhood memories.

The Profile: Who is Thrasher Banks, the Host of Lords of Death?

Thrasher Banks is the creator, writer, and host of the "Lords of Death" investigative podcast. His professional background is primarily defined by his work on this series, which is a personal journey as much as it is a true crime investigation.

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• Role: Creator, Writer, and Host of the "Lords of Death" Podcast.
• Origin: An Ohio native.
• Central Focus: Banks' investigation begins with a deeply personal discovery: a box of old documents and videos regarding a 1995 murder in Dayton, Ohio.
• Personal Connection: He is forced to grapple with his long-held presumptions about the involvement of his mother's boyfriend in the crime, making the series a quest for personal clarity and justice.
• Production: He partnered with Tenderfoot TV and Audacy to bring the high-production-value series to fruition.

Banks' approach is unique in the true crime genre because he is an active participant in the story's trauma and mystery, not just an observer. His raw, first-person narrative style is what sets "Lords of Death" apart, making the exploration of the 1995 murder of Cindy Cozad a highly intimate experience for the listener.

The Core Investigation: Unraveling the 1995 Murder of Cindy Cozad

The central pillar of the "Lords of Death" podcast is the brutal 1995 murder of Cindy Cozad in Dayton, Ohio. Cozad's body was discovered in a local Dayton park, and the subsequent investigation and its fallout became a significant part of the host's childhood and personal history.

The investigation is triggered when Banks discovers an old memory box containing forgotten VHS tapes, official police reports, and faded letters, all connected to the murder. These materials force him to revisit the case and question everything he thought he knew about the events and the people involved.

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Key Figures and Entities in the Case

The podcast meticulously details several key figures and pieces of evidence that weave together the complex narrative:

• Cindy Cozad: The victim of the 1995 murder in Dayton, Ohio, whose case is the focus of Banks' investigation.
• The Mother's Boyfriend: A central figure whose alleged culpability or connection to the crime is what Banks is actively investigating, challenging his own childhood memories and perceptions.
• Tim Terrell: The podcast also examines whether Tim Terrell was responsible for bludgeoning an elderly man, drawing connections between the various crimes and figures of interest in the area.
• Mick: A person who provided crucial information to detectives regarding the murder, the reliability and nature of which Banks investigates.
• Evidence Box: The catalyst for the entire series, containing forgotten VHS tapes, police reports, and faded letters from the time of the crime.

Banks’ narrative is a masterful blend of true crime procedural and personal memoir. He doesn't just present the facts; he explores the emotional and psychological toll of uncovering a dark family secret connected to a violent crime. The podcast’s structure, often referred to in chapters, allows for a slow, methodical reveal of information, building intense suspense and emotional weight.

The Shadow of the Satanic Panic on Ohio in the 80s and 90s

One of the most compelling and essential contextual layers of "Lords of Death" is its setting against the backdrop of the Satanic Panic in Ohio during the 1980s and 1990s. This moral panic was a widespread cultural phenomenon in the US, rooted in the unsubstantiated fear of widespread Satanic ritual abuse (SRA), often involving accusations of child sacrifice and devil worship.

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The podcast uses this specific historical context to explore how fear, hysteria, and sensationalism can influence police investigations, public perception, and even personal memory. The atmosphere of the Satanic Panic likely colored the initial investigation into the 1995 murder, potentially leading to misdirected focus or missed evidence.

Banks’ work subtly suggests that the era's obsession with cults and the occult may have overshadowed the mundane, yet brutal, reality of the crime. By placing the murder of Cindy Cozad within this time frame, "Lords of Death" achieves a high level of topical authority, connecting a specific true crime case to a major cultural and psychological event in American history.

Why 'Lords of Death' Remains a Must-Listen Investigative Series

Despite the original series concluding its main run in late 2018/early 2019, with a final "UPDATE: Future of Lords of Death" episode released in April 2019, the podcast is consistently recommended in true crime circles. Its enduring popularity stems from the high-quality production value provided by Tenderfoot TV and its unique narrative approach.

The series is a powerful example of an investigative podcast that goes beyond simply retelling a story. It becomes a meditation on the nature of truth itself. Banks forces listeners to question the reliability of memory and the ease with which we form presumptions about guilt or innocence, especially when a loved one is involved.

For listeners interested in the psychological aspects of true crime, the exploration of memory and perception is particularly gripping. The podcast uses the physical evidence—the VHS tapes and police reports—as anchors in a sea of potentially flawed recollections. It’s a compelling look at how a single event can shape an entire life and how the pursuit of justice can become a deeply personal and emotional burden. The series is a landmark in the true crime genre, solidifying Thrasher Banks' reputation as a host willing to bare his own history to unearth a painful truth.