Episode 163: The Tragic Case of Laurie Dann and the Death of Nick Corwin

Laurie Dann was a 30-year-old woman from Illinois whose long-standing mental health issues escalated into a series of violent attacks on May 20, 1988. After years of erratic behavior, stalking, and troubling interactions with family and acquaintances, Dann set several small fires, delivered poisoned snacks to people she knew, and ultimately drove to Hubbard Woods Elementary School in Winnetka. There, she opened fire in a classroom, killing 8-year-old Nick Corwin and injuring five other children. After fleeing, she invaded a nearby home, held residents hostage, shot a college student, and eventually died by suicide. The case shocked the nation, highlighting failures in mental-health intervention and gaps in the systems meant to prevent such a tragedy.