Strangeful Things

We started this story with a guy who had no qualifications and all the access in the world. By the end, he was dead in a jail cell that somehow had no working cameras, no guards paying attention, and no real answers. In this final part of the Epstein series, we cover the “suicide” that kicked off a thousand conspiracy theories, the people who still believe the lies, and the survivors who never stopped fighting. We also talk about the fake Epstein files, the real ones (probably), and how nothing at all is resolved. It doesn’t wrap up neatly. It doesn’t feel fair. And it still isn't over.

We continue with the awful story of that peice of crap Epstein. We know he had a ridiculous life full of private jets, mansions, and famous friends who acted like hanging out with a convicted predator was just another Tuesday. But this is when it all started to look like it MAYBE might catch up to him. In this episode, we cover the cops who actually tried to do their jobs (props where they're due), the prosecutors who definitely didn’t, and the first time Epstein almost got in trouble—but then we found out the fix was in. Also: Jizzbag Maxwell was right there, luring in girls like a rich sociopath camp counselor while the system (except for the Palm beach cops) tied itself in knots trying not to look too hard. Justice? Not even close. But the cracks were starting to show. And hey, we know the ending so...

You ever notice how rich people never seem to get in trouble for anything? Like no matter what they do, they end up with more money, more houses, and zero consequences? We have been here before. Remember the Franklin Scandal? How about Johnny Gosch? Or those Qidiots imagining things when they could have just looked at things that were actually happening? Well, this time, one of them got kind of in trouble. But not really. Because even when they do get caught, the system finds a way to fold the whole thing up and tuck it under the rug like it never happened. Oh, and kill him, but that is almost incidental at this point. In this episode, we start the story of Jeffrey Epstein—con artist, predator, “finance guy” (with no actual qualifications), and all-around piece of shit. And if you think this is just one bad guy doing bad stuff, you have not been paying attention.

You know, here on Strangeful Things we have talked about a lot of malicious scumbags, and this week is no different, but it sort of is different in that we are dealing with a killer who does something I have never personally experienced and it is not an aspect of his physical violence. It is more along the lines of cosmic cruelty. You will see what I mean. Also the Charlotte, NC police department screwed up this whole thing so badly that they had to "change" the way they ran their homicide department. Since Charlotte is my current home town I need to stress the fact that I do not think that the nonsense they pulled 35 years ago, that I didn't know had happened until a week ago, has NOT been forgiven. By me, anyway. Nor by the Supportive Community - Mothers of Murdered Offspring, the one actual good thing that came out of this tragedy. Support them. Give them some money. And get yourself discounts on subscriptions AND one time purchases on Magic Mind, the bestest brain juice your brain can drink! Go to https://magicmind.com/strangefuljune and use code strangefuljune to get that sweet sweet discount!

This week, we’re taking a scalpel (or, more accurately, a janky pawn-shop file) to the life of Luigi Lucheni—the anarchist who assassinated Empress Elisabeth of Austria in 1898. We dig into Lucheni’s trash fire of a childhood, the rise of anarchism in Europe, and the absolute disaster that was monarchy back then (and honestly, now too). We’ll follow Cece’s last days, break down what “propaganda of the deed” actually meant, and ask what happens when someone murders a symbol, not a person. Also: was Lucheni martyred or snuffed out? Did the system silence him, or did he just flame out? And how much does any of this still matter today? A lot, it turns out. Magic Mind – Get 20% Off or More Sources (partial) Swiss History – Luigi Lucheni, Sisi assassin Sisi Museum – Assassination Connexions – Propaganda of the Deed Britannica – Elisabeth | Biography, Facts, & Assassination

This episode, we are diving into Stockholm’s darkest unsolved murder—The Atlas Vampire case of 1932. We trace Lilly Lindeström’s journey from Malmö to the Atlas district, unpack the chilling (cause it is cold!) Walpurgis Night timeline, and dissect the staged crime scene and blood-drinking rumors through the lens of a scholarly paper I found with facts and whatnot. Not saying I solved it, but....I should not imply something otherwise because I did not solve it. At all. Sponsored by Magic Mind—boost your focus at http://magicmind.com/strangefulapr

We are going to head all over the place to track down the real story on the theory of the Smiley Face Killers. The sad story starts with someone from my own Alma Mater, Fordham University and has literally never ended. Is there an organized group of serial killers kidnapping and murdering young men, or do people want to find patterns where they might not exist? I try to find out and at the end of the day, I come up with the only theory that will really string it all together. AND I have a 50% chance of being right! Join me and dig into one of the most "all over the place" cased I have ever looked at. And I mean that literally and figuratively!

The case isn't solved just because the cops said it was. In part two of Monster of Florence we dig through the mess of suspects, confessions, and conspiracy theories—including Satanic cults, horny Sardinians, and one particularly persistent picnic trio. If Italy's goal was to confuse everyone forever, mission accomplished. But! Never let it be said that a little confusion prevented the Italian cops from arresting everyone who might be involved. Everyone. Seriously. If they ever played Clue they would arrest everyone and figure it out later. Thank you Emma for helping us close out Season 8!

Grab your passports (and probably some pepper spray), because Acadia and special guest Emma are heading to Italy to tell you all about The Monster of Florence. This piece of crap preyed on couples who were just trying to hook up in privacy on the Florentine equivalent of Inspiration Point. Now that I just wrote that I am pretty mad that I did not think of a Fonzie joke if we needed someone Italian to rescue people on Inspiration Point!

You know how the rich people are in charge of everything and us poors can't do anything about it and it gets worse every year? Well, like most things, it ain't new. Come back in time to the Great Depression, when FDR first rolled onto the national scene (ha! rolled) and learn how the rich jerks who run the world didn't take too kindly to this guy who wanted to help people. This is not about FDR, but it does include him. I don't wanna give anything away but when you hear the word "plot" you should not think good things. Nobody "plots" a surprise party. So find out just what those jerks were plotting. History teaches us that people have always been terrible!

Years ago, Jennifer Sandwich wrote a script about adventurer and all around bad ass Peter Freuchen, but I have been holding onto it. I couldn't just use it at any old time. How was I going to get across how tough this guy was when the weather was temperate? I wasn't. So I waited. I waited until my Southern lands were frozen solid and the joy of watching people not accustomed in any way to cold temperatures freaking out and crying filled my heart. So join me, Acadia, and Graveyard Grace as I tell you all about the life and legend of Peter Freuchen: Explorer, author, wielder of a...poop knife. And get 45% off a bundle order of Magic Mind by using the code STRANGEFULJAN. Head to https://magicmind.com/strangefuljan to get that sweet juice!

You know how sometimes places get a reputation for being haunted? Well, the Calcasieu Courthouse in Lake Charles, Louisiana is one of those places. But in this case, the haunting itself isn't the good part of the story. I think some places are thought of as haunted because of the terrible things that have happened there or there is some soul with unfinished business blah blah. But we think the Calcasieu Courthouse is haunted because Toni Jo Henry was such a wild person that the universe still wants her around. Her story of bad luck, worse decisions, and true love is a ride you do not want to miss. Join Grace and Acadia as they bring you the tale of how the Calcasieu Courthouse got haunted. And head over to https://magicmind.com/strangefuljan to get 45% off the product that helps Acadia do his job! Sources: On Death Row - Pan Books - 2005 A History Of American Life vol VIII by Dixon Wecter - 1948 True Men Stories - 1959 Variety - August, 1942

This week we go to the Land of Enchantment, New Mexico, to investigate the mystery of the West Mesa Bone Collector, the name given to the serial killer preying on the women of Albuquerque. That type of crime is not super rare, but a cop calling out the disappearance of these women YEARS before it was discovered that they died? And still working the case almost 20 years later? That's rare. A little known case that shows just how common things like this are. Relatively, sure. It's not as common as companies exploiting us, but there are still a lot!

Relatioships are a weird thing. Sometimes you can marry someone and not really care about them at all. Sometimes you can want someone so much you will go to ridiculous lengths to murder their current spouse using the good old US MAIL! Grace tells us the story of Cordelia Botkin who hatched a pretty great plan except since there was no TV in 1898 so she had not learned about how covering ones tracks is pretty important when committing crimes. We have poison hearts, poison candy, and lots of infidelity in this story, and what more could you want?

In this episode we talk about a little known incident that occurred in Brazil back in the 80s. It is a rough tale when you realize it should never really have happened. Not if things had gone the way we expect them to. We all go to sleep at night with the knowledge that certain things will just happen because we as a society have seen to it that they will happen. We don't worry that the traffic lights are gonna team up to make us crash, or the trash won't get picked up, or we will get experimented on by the government without being told. Maybe not the last one. But in this story, the worst thing happened and it is something to remember. It always can.

Dive into the chilling case of Benny Evangelista, a spiritual healer in 1920s Detroit, whose gruesome murder left the city shook. Known for his bizarre beliefs and practices (because people don't understand religion), Evangelista was found in his home in a grisly scene. What sinister forces could have been at play? Was it a ritualistic thing, a disgruntled follower, or something even more mysterious? Join us as we unravel the twisted details of this unsolved case, exploring the eerie atmosphere of early 20th-century Detroit and the dark secrets that may have led to one of the most horrifying crimes in the city's history. Oh, and the good joke came from the Scared But Curious podcast. I mean, not the ONLY good joke, but the one I mentioned. Shut up.

This week, Grace is chasing down the Wampus Cat, the Appalachian cryptid that’s half-woman, half-cat, and half-too many legs. From its spooky origins in Native American folklore to the backwoods sightings that’ll make you reconsider your next camping trip, we’re digging into the stories that keep this legend alive. Is it just a tall tale, or is there really a sassy feline terrorizing the South? Either way, we’re not taking any chances. Tune in, and maybe keep a flashlight handy.

What sort of cryptid hangs out on the side of the road, not bothering anyone? Well, if the people of Loveland, Ohio are right, their own personal Frogmen do. Who are these mysterious amphibians? We have no idea. But, we do have the stories. Handed down from generation to generation until we end up in the present day where the community of Loveland has embraced their mysterious Frogmen. Figuratively, of course. They aren't gonna be hugging actual frogs. You know...warts.

This week, Acadia and Graveyard Grace dive into the chilling case of Ronald Dominique, aka the Bayou Strangler - a serial killer you've probably never heard of, but definitely should have. With a body count rivaling some of America's most infamous murderers, Dominique somehow flew under the radar for years. This 'average Joe' became one of Louisiana's most prolific killers. We'll explore the factors that allowed him to evade justice for so long and the twist of fate that finally brought him down. Join us for a wild ride through the bayou's dark underbelly. Remember - murder can be fun if it's not you!"

A woman is staying up late at Drexel University to finish a project. She becomes the victim of a senseless crime in a place where she was supposed to be safe. But, because Graveyard Grace didn't want a mystery, at least people will just finish this episode angry, instead of angry and frustrated. Join us for the case of the murder of Deborah Wilson.