The Boyfriend's Death

Returning from an unplanned hiatus, Jesse and Kristina discuss the classic urban legend known as "The Boyfriend's Death." What are the implications of stories about couple's being attacked at lovers' lanes? Why is it the man who pays the ultimate price in this story? What things happen when you go outside of populated areas? As always, we compare the legend to true crime stories, discussing some cases in which couples were actually attacked at lover's lanes.

Sources:

Brunvand, Jan Harold. 2002. Encyclopedia of Urban Legends. Illustrated Edition. New York; London: W. W. Norton & Company.

Dziemianowicz, Joe. 2021. “On The Colonial Parkway, The Mark Of Unsolved Murders Remains Thanks To Urban Legends.” Oxygen Official Site. February 5, 2021. https://www.oxygen.com/lovers-lane-murders/crime-news/colonial-parkway-murders-why-lovers-lanes-inspire-urban-legends.

“Frank Mitchell (Prisoner).” 2020. In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Frank_Mitchell_(prisoner)&oldid=993131399.

Glazer, Mark. 1987. “The Cultural Adaptation of a Rumour Legend: The Boyfriend’s Death in South Texas.” In Perspectives on Contemporary Legend II, edited by Gillian Bennett, Paul Smith, and J. D. A. Widdowson, 93–108. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press.

“Kray Twins.” 2021. In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kray_twins&oldid=1004039759.

Wilson, Michael. 1998. “Legend and Life: ‘The Boyfriend’s Death’ and ‘The Mad Axeman.’” Folklore 109: 89–95.

This episode is dedicated in memory of Kristina's beloved cat Wash Seamus Downs, who passed away suddenly in February.