Episodios
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This episode is a fan favorite that was originally published as Episode 476. We hope that you have a happy and safe holiday!
When musician Bobby Mackey opened Bobby Mackey’s Music World in 1978, he had hoped for nothing more than to open a small nightclub where audiences could enjoy the traditional country music he had devoted his life to for decades. Yet before the club was even opened, it was apparent to Bobby, his wife Janet, and manager Carl that whatever the new night club was going to be, it would be anything but normal.
In the decades since it opened, Bobby Mackey’s Music World has gained a reputation, not just as a one of Kentucky’s enduring country western clubs, but as one of America’s supposedly most haunted locations. Indeed, Bobby Mackey’s is said to be the home of several spirits whose lives revolved around, and in some cases ended on the property, including the ghosts of a lovesick showgirl, a headless pregnant woman, and the two Satan-worshipping men who took her head.
Thank you to the glorious David White for research assistance :)
References
Associated Press. 1978. "State to probe fire at club near Newport." Courier-Journal, July 10: 6.
—. 1993. "Legality of lawsuit blaming bar for ghost antics to be decided." Messenger-Inquirer, October 23: 17.
Caraway, Robin. 2006. "Wilder nightclub site has storied past." Cincinnati Post, July 17: 14.
Chicago Chronicle. 1896. "Pearl Bryan's story." Chicago Chronicle, May 10: 33.
Cincinnati Enquirer. 1979. "Kentucky closes Mackey's club, citing faulty wiriing, sprinkler." Cincinnati Enquirer, December 16: 26.
—. 1978. "Wilder police chief wants state to close Hard Rock Cafe." Cincinnati Enquirer, January 17: 17.
Hensley, Douglas. 2005. Hell's Gate: Terror at Bobby Mackey's Music World. Denver, CO: Outskirts Press.
Moores, Lew. 1993. "Court filing by club's lawyer is poetry in motion." Cincinnati Enquirer, October 22: 26.
2005. A Haunting. Television. Directed by Joe Wiecha. Performed by New Dominion Pictures.
Wecker, David. 1991. "Bobby Mackey demon story: truth or bull." Cincinnati Post, July 9: 11.
Wolfson, Andrew. 2022. "A twisted tale: A failed abortion, a beheading and pennies left heads up at a grave." Courier Journal, May 4.
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On November 2, 2016, thirty-four-year-old so-called “Supermom” Sherri Papini went out for a run near her home in Redding, California, and disappeared without a trace. Three weeks later, on Thanksgiving Day, Sherri was discovered on the side of the road in a nearby county, where she said her captors had released her.
In the days that followed, Sherri claimed she had been kidnapped by two unknown Latin American women, who physically abused her, including branding her on the shoulder with the word “Exodus.” The case garnered considerable attention from the local and national media, but when it came to details on her abductors and their motives, Sherri was surprisingly tight-lipped, giving the police and FBI little to work with.
In March 2022, more than five years after her supposed abduction, the nation was shocked to learn that federal agents had arrested Papini and charged her with faking her own kidnapping. A month later, Sherri pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to more than a year in prison. The news was stunning and left everyone wondering, why would a seemingly ordinary and ostensibly happy mother orchestrate such a bizarre hoax?
Thank you to the Incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research and Writing support!
References
ABC News. 2016. "Missing California mom found alive after captor abandons her in restraints, sheriff says." ABC News, November 24.
Ayestas, Jonathan. 2024. "Sherri Papini has yet to pay $300,000 fine for faked 2016 California kidnapping." CNN Newswire, March 26.
Bella, Timothy. 2022. "A mother said she was kidnapped. Now she admits it was all a hoax." Washington Post, April 13.
Bever, Lindsey, and Kristine Guerra. 2016. "Missing California mother found alive three weeks after her apparent abduction, police say." Washington Post, November 25.
Bonvillian, Crystal. 2022. "Feds detail how missing mom branded, starved self in 2016 kidnapping hoax." Cox Media Group, March 9.
CBS News, Sacramento. 2016. "Full text of November 30 press conference about Sherri Papini's abduction." CBS News, Sacramento, November 30.
Federal Bureau of Investigation. 2022. Sherri Papini criminal complaint and affidavit. Criminal complaint, Los Angeles, CA: Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Gumbel, Andrew. 2022. "California jogger Sherri Papini staged own violent kidnapping, FBI says." The Guardian, March 4.
—. 2016. "Kidnapping, reverse ransom and a bounty: the strange case of Sherri Papini." The Guardian, December 30.
Hurley, Beven. 2022. "Why did it take five years to charge 'supermom' Sherri Papini with fabricating her own abduction?" The Independent, March 4.
Larimer, Sarah. 2016. "California mother was 'branded' and covered in bruises after apparent abduction, husband says." Washington Post, November 29.
Longoria, Sean. 2016. "Mother of 2 goes missing near Redding." Record Searchlight (Redding, CA), November 4: 1.
—. 2016. "Audio tells of Papini response." Record Searchlight, November 27: 1.
Sabalow, Ryan. 2016. "Familty of 'supermom' holds on to hope." Sacramento Bee, November 12: 1.
—. 2016. "Keep an open mind in unusual kidnap story, experts say." Sacramento Bee, December 3: B1.
—. 2016. "Relative defends husband of missing 'supermom'." Sacramento Bee, November 9: A14.
—. 2017. "Sheriff's office silent on Papini details." Sacramento Bee, January 31.
—. 2016. "'Supermom' hasn't been seen since taking a jog." Sacramento Bee, November 8: A4.
Sandhu, Amber. 2016. "Missing mom sought." Record Searchlight (Redding, CA), November 5: 1.
Serna, Joseph. 2016. "A setback in kidnapping case?" Los Angeles Times, December 1: B3.
Shulman, Alayna. 2016. "Sherriff gets help in search." Record Searchlight, November 8: 1.
—. 2017. "Will 2018 bring more Papini details?" Record Searchlight, December 28: 6.
Solis, Nathan. 2022. "Tale of abduction by Latinas fueled racial unease." Los Angeles Times, March 6: B2.
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On April 25, 2004, Broadmoor Hospital inmate Peter Bryan attacked a killed fellow inmate Richard Loudwell, a man awaiting sentencing for the murder of an eighty-two-year-old woman. The fact that the murder occurred in England’s most famous and supposedly secure psychiatric hospital was shocking, but more shocking was that this was Bryan’s third murder, and the second in as many months. Indeed, just two months earlier, while he was under the care of doctors and social workers in an open in-patient mental health hospital, Bryan left the facility in February and a few hours later he’d killed, dismembered, and partially cannibalized forty-three-year-old Brian Cherry.
Peter Bryan’s murders were highly sensationalized by the press, particularly the tabloids, who fueled the ongoing moral panic over the abysmal state of England’s mental health system. While the reporting did little more than exacerbate the public’s growing anger with the government, they nonetheless highlighted a very important question everyone wanted answered: How was a man with Bryan’s mental health and criminal history able to get released institutional care, and moreover, why was he not under surveillance when he murdered a third time—this time in heavily guarded psychiatric hospital?
References
Bennetto, Jason. 2005. "Care in the community patient sought `buzz' from killing and eating his victims." The Independent, March 16.
Bowcott, Owen. 2009. "Cannibal who killed three had seemed normal, NHS finds." The Guardian, September 3.
Chelsea News. 1994. "Grudge ended in murder." Chelsea News, March 3: 1.
Cheston, Paul. 2005. "Cannibal set free to kill in London." London Evening Standard, March 15.
Feller, Grant. 1993. "Police hunt evil King's Road murderer." Chelsea News, March 24: 3.
Garvey, Geoff, and Peter Dobbie. 1993. "Girl battered to death in King's Road." Evening Standard (London, England), March 19: 73.
Mishcon, Jane, Tim Exworthy, Stuart Wix, and Mike Lindsay. 2009. Independent Inquiry into the Care and Treatment of Peter Bryan - Part I. Mental Health Treatment Review, London, England: National Health Service (NHS).
Raif, Shenai, and Andrew Barrow. 2005. "Triple-killer 'cannibal' told: you'll never be freed." The Independent, March 14.
Tendler, Stewart, and Laura Peek. 2004. "Cannibal fears after body found cut apart." The Times (London, England), February 19.
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At first glance, there wasn’t much to the mild and unassuming Jerry Brudos; however, when investigators looked into his background, they discovered several arrests for theft, prowling, and sexual assault. And the more they learned about Brudos’ life, the more certain they became that he was the man they were looking for.
Ultimately, Jerry Brudos was convicted of the murders of Jan Whitney, Karen Sprinker, and Linda Salee and given three life sentences. His capture and incarceration were a big relief to the women of Oregon, but his cooperation with law enforcement and the FBI would prove invaluable as the latter established what would eventually become the Behavioral Analysis Unit.
References
Associated Press. 1969. "Fisherman's grim discovery started search for slayer." Albany Democrat-Herald, June 30: 21.
—. 1969. "Coed provided first lead in murder case." Oregonian, June 4: 11.
Capital Journal. 1969. "Salem student, 19, feared kidnaped." Capital Journal, March 29: 1.
Carbonell, Dan De. 2006. "36 years later, killer's death relieves victims' families." Statesman Journal (Salem Oregon), March 29: 2.
Leibman, Faith H. 1989. "Serial Murderers: Four Case Histories." Federal Probation 41-45.
Long, James. 1969. "Photo found in Brudos' home shows girl hanging by rope." Oregon Daily Journal, June 7: 1.
Morrison, Allen. 1969. "Brudos tells of attacks, killings." Oregon Statesman , June 28: 1.
—. 1969. "Indicted in death of Miss Sprinkler." Statesman Journal (Salem, Oregon), June 5: 1.
Olmos, Robert. 1969. "Crews widen river search for clues in girls murders." Oregonian , May 15: 19.
Oregon Journal. 1968. "2 teen-age girls missing." Oregon Daily Journal, February 6: J7.
Oregonian. 1968. "Help sought in search." Oregonian, December 23: 24.
—. 1969. "Office aide disappears ." Oregonian, April 26: 14.
Painter, John. 1969. "Sudden shift in plea signals end of trial." Oregonian , June 28: 1.
—. 1969. "Tests stall state trial of Brudos." Oregonian, June 6: 1.
Roby, Larry. 1969. "Parole agency explains eligibilty of Brudos." Capital Journal (Salem, Oregon), July 2: 15.
—. 1969. "Judge discloses warrant details on Brudos." Capital Journal, June 6: 1.
Rule, Ann. 1983. Lust Killer. New York, NY: Random House.
Statesman Journal. 1969. "Brudos home alleged site of 2 slayings." Staesman Journal (Salem, Oregon), June 18: 1.
Wong, James. 1969. "Somebody probably saw Linda Salee's killer--but will the person speak up?" Oregon Daily Journal , May 15: 5.
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Over the course of 1968 and well into 1969, several young women in Salem, Oregon went missing and would later turn up dead—all murdered and showing signs of having been tortured. Many of the cases bore certain similarities, but it wasn’t until investigators questioned the friends of one of the victims, Karen Sprinker, that they came to identify a suspect and eventually arrested thirty-year-old Jerome “Jerry” Brudos.
At first glance, there wasn’t much to the mild and unassuming Jerry Brudos; however, when investigators looked into his background, they discovered several arrests for theft, prowling, and sexual assault. And the more they learned about Brudos’ life, the more certain they became that he was the man they were looking for.
Thank you to the Incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research and Writing support!
References
Associated Press. 1969. "Fisherman's grim discovery started search for slayer." Albany Democrat-Herald, June 30: 21.
—. 1969. "Coed provided first lead in murder case." Oregonian, June 4: 11.
Capital Journal. 1969. "Salem student, 19, feared kidnaped." Capital Journal, March 29: 1.
Carbonell, Dan De. 2006. "36 years later, killer's death relieves victims' families." Statesman Journal (Salem Oregon), March 29: 2.
Leibman, Faith H. 1989. "Serial Murderers: Four Case Histories." Federal Probation 41-45.
Long, James. 1969. "Photo found in Brudos' home shows girl hanging by rope." Oregon Daily Journal, June 7: 1.
Morrison, Allen. 1969. "Brudos tells of attacks, killings." Oregon Statesman , June 28: 1.
—. 1969. "Indicted in death of Miss Sprinkler." Statesman Journal (Salem, Oregon), June 5: 1.
Olmos, Robert. 1969. "Crews widen river search for clues in girls murders." Oregonian , May 15: 19.
Oregon Journal. 1968. "2 teen-age girls missing." Oregon Daily Journal, February 6: J7.
Oregonian. 1968. "Help sought in search." Oregonian, December 23: 24.
—. 1969. "Office aide disappears ." Oregonian, April 26: 14.
Painter, John. 1969. "Sudden shift in plea signals end of trial." Oregonian , June 28: 1.
—. 1969. "Tests stall state trial of Brudos." Oregonian, June 6: 1.
Roby, Larry. 1969. "Parole agency explains eligibilty of Brudos." Capital Journal (Salem, Oregon), July 2: 15.
—. 1969. "Judge discloses warrant details on Brudos." Capital Journal, June 6: 1.
Rule, Ann. 1983. Lust Killer. New York, NY: Random House.
Statesman Journal. 1969. "Brudos home alleged site of 2 slayings." Staesman Journal (Salem, Oregon), June 18: 1.
Wong, James. 1969. "Somebody probably saw Linda Salee's killer--but will the person speak up?" Oregon Daily Journal , May 15: 5.
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Just because October is over doesn't mean that Spooky Season needs to end!! Today, our friend Bridget Marquardt drops by to tell us about her NEW PODCAST-- "Ghost Bunny" available everywhere you find podcasts, NOW!
On today's show Bridget shares spine tingling ghostly encounters she had, and Ash & Alaina talk about ABSOLUTELY TERRIFYING games that none of US would want to play... like ever!
For more games, check out 'Dangerous Games to Play in the Dark' by Lucia Peters!
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Weirdos! Are you ready to talk about Vampires? Today we are joined by the ICONIC actor Doug Jones, the nicest monster in Hollywood! He has played everyone from Billy Butcherson in the Hocus Pocus films, the Fawn & the Pale Man in Pan’s Labyrinth, to the Amphibian Man in the Academy Award winning film The Shape of Water, as well as the titular role in David Lee Fisher’s Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror available NOW on AppleTV, Amazon Prime, and other purchasing platforms! We ask him about his experience playing the hilarious Baron Afanas on What We Do in the Shadows which entered its final season on October 21st on FX! Ash tops off the episode telling us about a vampire legend from Poland. It has goat throwing! It has pacts with the devil! It has supernatural halitosis! It is the vampire story that keeps giving, hopefully, with the aid of our friend Dougie, will come to a theater near you at some point in the future!
Looking for the Full story of Cuntius?? Visit https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/An_Antidote_Against_Atheism/Book_III/Chapter_IX
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Weirdos! It's *ACTUALLY* Halloween!!! Join us for a fresh batch of tales brought TO you, BY you, For you, FROM you, and ALLLLL about you!
Today we have shadow men throwing ass, ghostly exes, sinister DIY masks, annoying kids scaring young treat or treaters, and Big Wave bringing it all home for you! AND as a special treat! Check out the VIDEO from this episode available on ALL platforms on 10/31/24!
If you’ve got a listener tale please send it on over to [email protected] with “Listener Tales” somewhere in the subject line :)
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In January 2014, a strange article appeared in the Indianapolis Star about Latoya Ammons, an Indiana single mother of three who claimed that for more than a year, she and her children were besieged by demons in their rented home. Ammons claimed, among other things, that the house was constantly infested with black flies, the children were levitated from their beds, and her nine-year-son became possessed and walked up a wall backwards. And that was only the beginning; by the end of just one year in the house, the Ammons family claim they were terrorized by all manner of supernatural assaults, from ghostly apparitions to demonic entities.
Latoya Ammons’ story might well have gone unnoticed, had it not been for the surprising number of witnesses to the paranormal events, from family and friends to police officers and social workers. Still, Latoya was not without her critics or skeptics—some accused her of fabricating the story to get out of her lease, while others assumed she was simply delusional. Regardless of the explanation for the cause of the events, there’s no denying that Latoya Ammons story is one of the most terrifying paranormal experiences heard in decades.
Thank you to the Incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research and Writing support!
References
Biddle, Kenny. 2018. Demon House Deconstructed. May 21. Accessed September 30, 2024. https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/demon-house-deconstructed/.
Dawn, Randee. 2024. Is 'The Deliverance' based on a true story? August 30. Accessed September 30, 2024. https://www.today.com/popculture/movies/the-deliverance-true-story-latoya-ammons-rcna167984.
Kwiatkowski, Marisa. 2014. "The exorcisms of Latoya Ammons." Indianapolis Star, January 26: A1.
Maginot, Mike. 2012. "Report seeking permission of bishop for exorcism." Indianapolis Star. May 21. Accessed September 27, 2024. https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/1005721-report-to-bishop.html.
Nickell, Joe. 2014. "The '200 demons' house: a skeptical demonologist's report." Skeptical Inquirer 20-24.
Washington, Valerie. 2012. Intake officer's report of preliminary inquiry and investigation. Intake report, Indianapolis, IN: Indiana Department of Children's Services.
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On the afternoon of February 9, 1958, a complaint was called into Long Island’s seventh police precinct regarding a series of “strange occurrences” taking place in the caller’s home. According to the caller, Lucille Herrmann, for nearly a week the caps and lids of bottles in the basement had been popping off inexplicably, while other bottles and containers were tipping over and spilling their contents for no obvious reason. Elsewhere in the house, items were flying off shelves without the aid of human hands, and toys were breaking without explanation. Not only were the disturbances destructive to the Herrmann’s home and property, but they were also psychologically upsetting, since they seemed to be happening on their own.
Lucille Herrmann’s call to the Seaford Police Department kicked off a two-month-long fascination with what many came to believe was genuine poltergeist activity in the Herrmann’s Long Island, NY home. What began as a simple call to the police for assistance quickly escalated into near daily media coverage and interest from a variety of paranormal investigators and skeptics, all determined to identify and explain the cause of the ostensibly supernatural occurrences in what became known as “the house of flying objects.”
The Herrmann’s case of poltergeist activity is considered by many to be the first modern investigation into poltergeist disturbances and would serve as the inspiration for Stephen Spielberg’s 1982 horror film, Poltergeist. Despite the considerable attention, however, the case remains unexplained to this day.
Thank you to the Incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research and Writing support!
References
Allen, Tom. 1958. "A haunted house is not a home." Daily News (New York, NY), March 9: 30.
Aronson, Harvey. 1958. "Expert sees no hoax in bottle-popping." Newsday, March 7: 3.
Associated Press. 1958. "Bottles--all kind--flip their tops." Democrat and Chronicle , February 11: 1.
—. 1958. "Bottle tops rout pop." Elmira Star-Gazette, February 23: 1.
—. 1958. "Bottles pop, Davy falls for angel." Press and Sun-Bulletin, February 17: 11.
Dorman, Michael. 1987. "Ghost stories." Newsday, October 25: 9.
Elmira Advertiser. 1958. "Herrmanns' house quiet." Elmira Advertiser, March 27: 4.
Kahn, Dave. 1958. "Bottle-popping force shakes our reporter." Newsday, February 24: 3.
—. 1958. "Bottle-popping report points to Jimmy." Newsday, May 15: 5.
—. 1958. "Experts are working, bottle-pop force isn't." Newsday, February 27: 4.
—. 1958. "Flying figurines drive family out of Seaford home." Newsday, February 22: 5.
—. 1958. "Has the LI bottle-popping force popped its last." Newsday, March 17: 7.
—. 1958. "Jimmy a bottle-popper? No, sasy father." Newsday, February 28: 5.
—. 1958. "Our bottle-proper's decision: he's baffled." Newsday, February 25: 5.
—. 1958. "'Spirit' gets rough, starts hurling things." Newsday, February 21: 5.
—. 1958. "Two more bottles blow tops at LI house." Newsday, February 12: 4.
Newsday. 1958. "All's quiet on the bottle front." Newsday, March 3: 5.
—. 1958. "Clues remnmain cold in bottle mystery, but bottles get hot." Newsday, February 17: 5.
—. 1958. "Expert ponders bottle popping." Newsday, February 15: 10.
—. 1958. "Look out! Things are popping again." Newsday, March 4: 5.
Nickell, Joe. 2012. The Science of Ghosts: Searching for Spirits of the Dead. Buffalo, NY: Prometheus Books.
Roll, William G. 1976. The Poltergeist. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press.
United Press. 1958. "Boy likely was spook, says expert." Press and Sun-Bulletin (Binghamton, NY), May 15: 25.
Ziaman, Ronald. 1958. "Teen interviews." Brooklyn Daily, June 26: 14.
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In the early hours of June 30, 1987, Boise resident Clinton Sparks was awoken by someone pounding frantically on his storm door. A moment later, Sparks heard a loud scream in the distance, and he went inside to call 911.
Although he didn’t know it at the time, what Clinton Sparks heard was the last desperate cry of twenty-one-year-old Preston Murr, Two of Murr’s associates, Daniel Rodgers and Daron Cox, were arrested and tried and convicted for the murder.
The trial and conviction should have been where the story ended, but for the house on Linden Street where the murder occurred, it was only the beginning. Since Murr’s tragic death more than thirty-five years ago, the house has become a source of local legends, with claims ranging from the appearance of ghostly apparitions to blood inexplicably dripping down the walls. As a result, Boise’s “Murder Mansion” has become known as one of the most haunted houses in America.
Thank you to the Incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research and Writing support!!
References
Ensunsa, David. 1987. "Boisean held on drug charges has prison record." Idaho Statesman , July 2: 1.
—. 1987. "Murder suspect cared for foster teens." Idaho Statesman, July 8: 1.
—. 1987. "Sister says Rodgers, slaying victim fought over drugs, money." Idaho Statesman, July 8: 1.
Fiorentino, Alyssa. 2022. The True Story of the Boise Murder House Is Straight Out of a Horror Movie.September 7. Accessed September 7, 2024. https://www.housebeautiful.com/lifestyle/a41059891/boise-murder-house/.
Heart, Michelle. 2021. 7 chillding and real stories from Boise's infamous murder house. September 15. Accessed September 06, 2024. https://liteonline.com/7-chilling-and-real-stories-from-boises-infamous-murder-house/.
—. 2024. Dare to enter? Boise's fascinating Murder House will open for public tours soon. May 23. Accessed September 7, 2024. https://liteonline.com/murder-house-tours/.
—. 2017. Nightmare on my street: Boise's Murder House. October 5. Accessed September 5, 2024. https://liteonline.com/nightmare-on-my-street-boises-murder-house-video-2/.
Idaho Statesman. 1988. "Fingerprints tied to murder victim." Idaho Statesman, March 10: 7.
KBOI News. 2012. The Murder House: Is site of decades-old murder haunted? June 27. Accessed September 6, 2024. https://bakersfieldnow.com/news/nation-world/the-murder-house-is-site-of-decades-old-murder-haunted-11-17-2015.
Lamay, Colleen. 1988. "Court told gun bore Rodgers' prints." Idaho Statesman, March 15: 10.
McFarland, Kelsey. 2016. Murder house: Is site of decades old crime scene haunted. October 27. Accessed September 6, 2024. https://idahonews.com/news/local/murder-house-is-site-of-decades-old-crime-scene-haunted.
Peterson, Anne, and Julie Stutts. 1987. "Police discover blood on street in southeast Boise." Idaho Statesman, July 1: 26.
Pewitt, Jana. 1988. "Deal frees Cox of murder charge." Idaho Statesman, March 22: 13.
—. 1988. "Nampa man says he found body parts." Idaho Statesman, March 11: 19.
—. 1987. "Police: disposal of body recounted." Idaho Statesman, September 5: 15.
—. 1988. "Rodgers' lawyer asks for mistrial." Idaho Statesman, March 8: 7.
—. 1988. "Rodgers says blood sickens him." Idaho Statesman, March 18: 21.
—. 1987. "Screams prompted call to police." Idaho Statesman, September 4: 9.
—. 1988. "Crime lab expert testifies bullet in skull belonged to Rodgers' gun." Idahome Statesman, March 17: 19.
Romine, Dannye. 1989. "She led two lives." Parade Magazine, June 25: 4-6.
State of Idaho v. Daniel Rodgers. 1990. 17785 (Court of Appeals of Idaho, November 13).
Stutts, Julie. 1987. "Ada to suspend 2 dispatchers over call." Idaho Statesman, July 16: 1.
Stutts, Julie, and Jana Pewitt. 1988. "Verdict: Rodgers guilty of murder, dismemberment ." Idaho Statesman, March 19: 1.
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On December 18, 1975, George and Kathy Lutz moved their family into their new house on Ocean Avenue in Amityville, NY, where, just one year earlier, Ronald DeFeo Jr. had murdered all six members of his family. Twenty-eight days later, the Lutz family fled the home, leaving behind all their belongings and vowing never to return again. According to the Lutzes, their time in the house on Ocean Avenue was a nightmare of psychic attacks and demonic activity that put them in fear for their lives.
The supposed experience of the Lutz family served as the basis for the iconic haunted house story, The Amityville Horror, and the countless films adapted from or inspired by the original novel. However, unlike most other stories of paranormal experiences, The Amityville Horror became a phenomenon that influenced everything from Ronald DeFeo’s criminal defense to the American public’s belief in the supernatural. Yet for all their talk of it being a genuine story of demonic activity, in the years since the publication of The Amityville Horror, a large body of evidence from skeptical evaluations to court records and interview transcripts suggest that America’s most notorious haunted house might not have been quite so haunted after all.
Thank you to the Incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research and Writing support!!
References
Ansen, Jay. 1978. The Amityville Horror. New York, NY: Bantam Books.
Bartholomew, Robert, and Joe Nickell. 2016. "The Amityville Hoax at 40." Skeptic Magazine 8-12.
Carter, A.J. 1976. "DeFeo house: legal twist." Newsday, February 17: 3.
Drehsler, Alex, and Jim Scovel. 1977. "Fact or fiction." Newsday, November 17: 188.
Gelder, Lawrence Van. 1977. "A real-life horror story." New York Times, October 9: L12.
Lutz v. Hoffman et al. 1979. 77-032D-T (Southern District of California ).
Nickell, Joe. 2003. "Amityville: The Horror of it All." Skeptical Inquirer 13-14.
Nickell, Joe. 2009. "The questionable research of Hans Holzer, dean of ghost hunters (1920-2009)." Skeptical Inquirer 5-6.
Schemo, Diane Jean. 1992. "'Amityville' prisoner says movie money tained defense." New York Times, June 25: B6.
Snider, Jane. 1977. "New owners call house beautiful, not haunted ." Newsday, May 13: 23.
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On the evening of November 13, 1974, twenty-three-year-old Ronald DeFeo Jr. burst through the door of Henry’s Bar in Amityville, Long Island, frantically yelling for help and telling the patrons that someone had killed his parents. When a small group returned to the house with DeFeo, they discovered that not only had his parents, Louise and Ronald Sr., been killed, but so had his four brothers and sisters—all shot to death in their beds with a .35 caliber rifle.
During a police interview that night, investigators became suspicious of Ronald DeFeo. Not only was his story of a mob hit difficult to believe, but he seemed incapable of keeping certain aspects of his story straight during the interview. The next day, DeFeo broke down and confessed to the murders, explaining that he had hated his father and telling investigators, “Once I started [shooting], I just couldn’t stop.”
Ronald DeFeo’s trial was one of New York’s biggest news stories of 1975 and attracted considerable attention due to his attempt to mount an insanity defense and his frequent outbursts in the courtroom. In the end, the defense was unsuccessful and DeFeo was convicted of the murders and sentenced to life in prison. DeFeo’s conviction should have been the end of the story, but it turned out it was only the beginning of what would eventually become one of the most notorious supernatural claims in American history.
Thank you to the Incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research and Writing support!!
References
Carter, A.J., Soper Susan , Dallas Gatewood, and Sam Washington. 1974. "DeFeo son is accused." Newsday, November 15: 3.
Incantalupo, Tom, and Sam Washington. 1974. "A quiet drink turns into an invitation to disaster." Newsday, November 14: 3.
—. 1974. "Six in Amityville family slain, each in bed, 1 bullet in back." Newsday, November 14: 1.
New York Times. 1974. "Six in family found slain in bedrooms in L.I. home." New York Times, November 14: 97.
Smith, Don. 1975. "Attack mounted on DeFeio's insanity plea." Newsday, October 25: 16.
—. 1975. "Cellmate says DeFeo had insanity plan." Newsday, November 11: 6.
—. 1975. "Cop quotes DeFeoL 'I... couldn't stop'." Newsday, September 24: 4.
—. 1975. "Cop: DeFeo altered story." Newsday, October 22: 9.
—. 1975. "DeFeo charges police beat him into confessing." Newsday, September 27: 13.
—. 1975. "DeFeo defended as psychotic killer." Newsday, November 19: 17.
—. 1975. "DeFeo guilty of family murder." Newsday, November 22: 3.
—. 1975. "Doctor: DeFeo knew it was wrong." Newsday, November 13: 19.
—. 1975. "Family clash is cited in DeFeo trial." Newsday, October 15: 22.
—. 1975. "I killed a dozen others, DeFeo says." Newsday, November 7: 21.
—. 1975. "'I left the room in awe of the horror'." Newsday, October 23: 17.
Smith, Don, and Sam Washington. 1975. "DeFeo a heroin user, cop testifies." Newsday, October 18: 16.
Stark, Thomas M. 2021. Horrific Homicides: A Judge Looks Back at the Amityville Horror Murders and Other Infamous Long Island Crimes. New York, NY : Archway Publishing.
Sullivan, Gerard, and Harvey Aronson. 1981. High Hopes: The Amityville Murders. New York, NY: Coward, McCann & Geoghegan.
Vecsey, George. 1974. "L.I. slayings suspect had used drugs." New York Times, November 16: 18.
—. 1974. "Neighbors recall DeFeos as 'nice, normal family'." New York Times, November 15: 80.
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When Al and Carmen Snedeker found out that their son Phillip was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, the treatment plan required the family to relocate into a three floor home in Southington, Connecticut. The second floor apartment quickly became a nightmare for the inhabitants, with attacks escalating to demonic assault.
Thank you to the incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research and writing support!
References
Carpenter, B. (1988, September 15). Exorcism performed in 'spirited' home. Record-Journal (Meriden, CT), p. 37.
Carpenter, B. (1988, August 18). Researcher says home haunted by evil presence. Record-Journal (Meriden, CT), p. 33.
Carpenter, B. (1988, August 13). Southington haunting is daunting . Record-Journal (Meriden, CT), p. 1.
Cohen, J. (1992, October 27). Their Southington haunt was hellish, couple tell Sally Jessy. Record-Journal (Meriden, CT), p. 1.
Garton, R., & Warren, E. (1992). In a Dark Place: The True Story of a Haunting. New York, NY: Villard Books.
I was raped by a ghost (1992). [Motion Picture].
Nickel, J. (2009). Demons in Connecticut. Skeptical Inquirer, 25-27.
Schmidt, K. (1992, October 30). Couple sees ghost; skeptics see through it. Hartford Courant, p. 126.
Smith, G. (1991, May 15). Family still haunted by ghastly experience. Record-Journal (Meriden, CT), p. 1.
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We continue to celebrate Spooky Season by touching on a few cemeteries that will make your spine tingle! Alaina tells us about the Westminster Hall and Burying Ground and its connection to a gothic icon. Ash dives into the stories about the Bachelor's Grove Cemetery and reads a first hand haunting account from a fellow weirdo!
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Weirdos! Rejoice! Spooky Season continues as we check into a few hotels where you will get more than free WiFi and room service! Alaina introduces us to not one, but TWO haunted hotels in Arizona! She delves into the Oliver House where historically verified murders have left terrifying specters as well as its haunted counterpart the Copper Queen! Ash brings us to Georgia, where the Marshall House ghostly residents walk the halls in search of their missing limbs!
If you have any suggestions for future spooky episodes email us at [email protected] with “spooky” in the title!
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We're getting into Spooky Season proper now, and to celebrate, we hung out with our friend Aliza from the PAVE podcast Horoscope Weekly with Aliza Kelly!
Today we dive into Alaina's 'Roman Empire'- The Salem Witch Trials, and see how the stars over Salem played into the infamous tragedy!
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Weirdos! Today's episode is brought TO you, BY you, For you, FROM you, and ALLLLL about you! It's Listener Tales 90!
Today we have a great batch of tales submitted by YOU! We have ghost cats, we have children dropping in to say 'hieeeeeee' BEFORE their birth, we have ghosty grandfathers playing with the grandson they never met, and we have Kitty's tale which will leave you with tears in your eyes!
If you’ve got a listener tale please send it on over to [email protected] with “Listener Tales” somewhere in the subject line :)
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When eighteen-year-old recent high school graduate Tiffany Valiante was struck and killed by a train in July 2015, the news came as a shock to friends and family, who couldn’t fathom why the teenager had been out walking the tracks that night. Their shock and confusion quickly turned to outrage and disbelief when, less than twenty-four hours later, Tiffany’s death was ruled a suicide by the New Jersey Transit Police, who were tasked with investigating the incident. As far as everyone knew, Tiffany was a happy, outgoing girl with a bright future and a sports scholarship to Mercy College in the fall—they couldn’t think of a single reason why she would have wanted to end her life.
Despite the official conclusions about her death, the Valiante family have never believed Tiffany intentionally stepped in front of the train that night, and in the months and years that have passed since her death, many other people have come to a similar conclusion. In fact, they’re confident the evidence and numerous unanswered questions suggest Tiffany had not gone into the woods voluntarily and that her death is at best suspicious, and at worst a murder.
Thank you to the incredible Dave White of Bring Me The Axe Podcast for research and writing support!
References
Conklin, Eric. 2023. "Family of Tiffany Valiante marks 8 years since teen's death with 2nd docuseries in the works." Press of Atlantic City, July 24.
Daily Beast. 2022. "Was high school grad being chased before grisly train death?" Daily Beast, July 16.
D'Amato Law. 2017. "“It’s just not the Tiffany I knew,” said Allison Walker, head women’s volleyball coach at Stockton University who coached Valiante in the East Coast Crush Volleyball Club, a junior travel volleyball team. “The time of night really didn’t sit right with me." D'Amato Law. July 17. Accessed August 20, 2024. https://damatolawfirm.com/in-the-news/who-killed-tiffany-valiante-questions-persist-as-family-marks-the-third-anniversary-of-her-mysterious-death/.
—. 2022. Mishandling Key Evidence In 2015 Tiffany Valiante Suspicious Death Case Impeded Independent Forensic DNA Analysis, Reports Renowned Lab. March 29. Accessed August 20, 2024. https://damatolawfirm.com/in-the-news/mishandling-key-evidence-in-2015-tiffany-valiante-suspicious-death-case/.
DeAngelis, Martin. 2016. "Death of teen not suicide, suit says." Press of Atlantic City, July 20: 3.
DiFilippo, Dana, and Joe Hernandez. 2017. Family of N.J. teen killed by train disputes suicide ruling, sues to prove kidnap-murder plot. July 19. Accessed August 19, 2024. https://whyy.org/articles/family-of-nj-teen-killed-by-train-disputes-suicide-ruling-sues-to-prove-kidnap-murder-plot/.
Houseman, H. Louise. 2017. Investigative report submitted by H. Louise Hoiusman, Senior Medical Investigator. Investigative Report, Egg Harbor, NJ: D'Amato Law.
Huba, Nicholas. 2015. "Suicides shock, sadden teens." Press of Atlantic City, July 19: 1.
Jason, Dr. Donald. 2018. Re: Death of Tiffany Valiante. Forensic evaluation, Egg Harbor, NJ: D'Amato Law.
Low, Claire. 2018. "A walk thgrough hell." Press of Atlantic City, December 16: 1.
Morgan, Kate. 2022. Tiffany Valiante's last night. November. Accessed August 15, 2024. https://sjmagazine.net/featured/tiffany-valiantes-last-night.
Stephen F. Valiante and Diane F. Valiante v. Does et al. 2017. ATL-L-1411-17 (Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division, July 18).
Sterling, Stephen, and S.P. Sullivan. 2017. Death and dysfunction: HGow N.J. fails the dead, betrays the living and is a national disgrace. December 14. Accessed August 19, 2024. https://death.nj.com/.
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After opening an investigation into Cindy’s death, investigators learned that, for nearly a decade leading up to her death, Cindy James had repeatedly reported to Richmond Police that she was a victim of harassment, stalking, and assault, and had even turned over threatening letters and answering machine messages as evidence of the harassment; yet local police were unable to verify her story or intervene to protect her.
At first, Cindy’s death appeared to be the inevitable and tragic conclusion of a years’-long campaign of harassment and terror by an unknown stalker; however, when investigators began digging into Cindy’s personal history, they discovered evidence that contradicted their initial assumptions and pointed towards a far stranger explanation for her death.
Thank you to the incredible Dave White of Bring Me The Axe Podcast for research and writing support!
References
Graham, Patracia. 1989. "We could have done better for Cindy." The Province, June 16: 37.
Hall, Neal. 1989. "Body believed to be missing nurse's." Vancouver Sun, June 9: 1.
—. 1990. "Ex-spouse angrily denied woman's lurid charge." Vancouver Sun, March 7: A12.
—. 1990. "James' ex-husband tells of fear police would frame him." Vancouver Sun, March 8: 19.
—. 1990. "James felt abandoned, ex-husband testifies ." Vancouver Sun, May 8: 16.
—. 1990. "James inquest hears of 1984 kidnap claim." Vancouver Sun, March 2: 15.
—. 1990. "James recalled bloody tale." Vancouver Sun, March 6: 19.
—. 1990. "Under siege." Vancouver Sun, March 24: A9.
Horwood, Holly. 1990. "James inquest a strain for jurors." The Province, May 31: 4.
—. 1990. "Nurse changed her story." The Province, February 28: 6.
—. 1990. "Threats, attacks preceded death." The Province, February 27: 2.
Jiwa, Salim. 1989. "Body is nurse's." The Province , June 9: 5.
—. 1989. "Somebody tailed Cindy." The Province, June 1: 4.
Mulgrew, Ian. 1991. Who Killed Cindy James? Seal Press: New York, NY.
Pemberton, Kim. 1989. "Strange ordeal of Cindy James." Vancouver Sun, July 13: 17.
Vancouver Sun. 1989. "Abduction feared by nurse's dad." Vancouver Sun, June 2: 37.
—. 1990. "Conflicting evidence fabricated tangled puzzle for inquest." Vancouver Sun, May 29: 9.
—. 1990. "Coroner's jury to hear of mysterious incidents." Vancouver Sun, February 26: 21.
—. 1989. "Police ask help in locating missing nurse." Vancouver Sun, May 30: 33.
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