Weird Darkness: Paranormal & True Crime Stories

In 1965, a carnival worker left his two daughters in the care of a struggling Indianapolis mother for $20 a week. What followed was one of the most horrific cases of torture and murder in American history — despite dozens of people knowing it was happening. IN THIS EPISODE: Gertrude Baniszewski – a woman whose evil ran so deep, it flowed through her children and their friends and displayed itself in the torture, mutilation and murder of a young girl. (Torture Mother) *** On January 2, 1935, a man who signed the guest register as “Roland T. Owen” checked into the President Hotel in Kansas City, Missouri – and never checked out. (The Man in Room 1046) *** If you ask a dying loved one to try and reach you from the other side when they finally pass away, don’t be surprised if they follow up on that promise. (My Mom’s Wake) *** The last cabin standing along the beach at Hunting Island State Park is a celebrity among locals and visitors as folks have taken to a love affair with the little blue cabin’s fight against nature over the past few years. Oh… and it also appears to be haunted. (Little Blue Ocean Cabin) CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)… 00:00:00.000 = Disclaimer and Lead-In 00:01:42.103 = Show Open 00:03:33.891 = The Torture Mother, Part 1 00:17:39.437 = *** The Torture Mother, Part 2 00:38:39.253 = *** The Man In Room 1046 00:45:45.323 = My Mom’s Wake 00:51:06.802 = *** Little Blue 00:55:43.060 = Show Close *** = Begins immediately after inserted ad break SOURCES AND REFERENCES FROM THE EPISODE… “The Man in Room 1046” by Troy Taylor: http://bit.ly/2QJcZpW “My Mom’s Wake” by Pete Inesc: http://bit.ly/2EObXUE “Little Blue Ocean Cabin” posted at GhostsNGhouls.com (link no longer available) “The Torture Mother” posted at Murderpedia.org: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/4xcbkut7 Weird Darkness theme from Alibi Music Library = = = = = (Over time links seen above may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.) = = = = = "I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46 = = = = = WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2024, Weird Darkness. = = = = = Originally aired: June 01, 2019 EPISODE PAGE (includes sources): https://weirdarkness.com/TortureMother ABOUT WEIRD DARKNESS: Weird Darkness is a true crime and paranormal podcast narrated by professional award-winning voice actor, Darren Marlar. Seven days per week, Weird Darkness focuses on all things strange and macabre such as haunted locations, unsolved mysteries, true ghost stories, supernatural manifestations, urban legends, unsolved or cold cases, conspiracy theories, and more. Weird Darkness has been named one of the “20 Best Storytellers in Podcasting” by Podcast Business Journal. Listeners have described the show as a blend of “Coast to Coast AM”, “The Twilight Zone”, “Unsolved Mysteries”, and “In Search Of”.DISCLAIMER: Stories and content in Weird Darkness can be disturbing for some listeners and intended for mature audiences only. Parental discretion is strongly advised. #WeirdDarkness #TrueCrime #SylviaLikens #TortureMother #GertrudeBaniszewski #TrueCrimeHistory #IndianapolisTrue Crime #1960sCrime #TrueCrimeCommunity #MurderCase

A Tasmanian mayor's routine trip to a public restroom turned into an official plea for citizens to stop snacking on the facilities. READ or SHARE: https://weirddarkness.com/tasmania-mayor-dont-eat-toilet-seats WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2026, Weird Darkness. #WeirdDarkness, #WeirdDarkNEWS, #BizarreNews, #WeirdNews, #Tasmania, #Australia, #StrangeButTrue, #OddNews, #ViralNews, #WTFNews

A disheveled stranger sat down next to me at a London bar and claimed to be the Devil. By the time she finished telling me the truth about Hell, I believed every word. IN THIS EPISODE: It’s the classic horror story, “The Man Who Returned” by Edmond Hamilton. Originally published in 1934, "The Man Who Returned" is an effective horror story. Since first transmitting its sad and cynical realism from the pages of Weird Tales, it has been reprinted in numerous collections of stories from that magazine, as well as in a 1980 volume entitled “Fear! Fear! Fear!” *** I’ve pulled out what I hope you’ll agree is definitely worth the “creepy” part of creepypasta. It was found on Reddit, written by user AThousandRows. The original title of the story is “I Met Someone Who Claimed To Be The Devil... And I Believed Them.” CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)… 00:00:00.000 = Lead-In 00:01:05.190 = Show Open 00:02:45.849 = She Claimed To Be The Devil, And I Believed Her 00:45:03.961 = *** The Man Who Returned 01:19:22.525 = Show Close *** = Begins immediately after inserted ad break SOURCES and RESOURCES:“She Claimed To Be The Devil, And I Believed Her” by Redditor u/athousandrows: https://tinyurl.com/yc56prtr “The Man Who Returned” by Edmond Hamilton: https://tinyurl.com/y5dh2fl7 =====(Over time links may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)= = = = ="I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46= = = = =WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2025, Weird Darkness.=====Originally aired: July 18, 2019 (The Man Who Returned); March 2021 (She Claimed To Be The Devil) EPISODE PAGE (includes sources): https://weirddarkness.com/SheDevil ABOUT WEIRD DARKNESS: Weird Darkness is a true crime and paranormal podcast narrated by professional award-winning voice actor, Darren Marlar. Seven days per week, Weird Darkness focuses on all things strange and macabre such as haunted locations, unsolved mysteries, true ghost stories, supernatural manifestations, urban legends, unsolved or cold cases, conspiracy theories, and more. Weird Darkness has been named one of the “20 Best Storytellers in Podcasting” by Podcast Business Journal. Listeners have described the show as a blend of “Coast to Coast AM”, “The Twilight Zone”, “Unsolved Mysteries”, and “In Search Of”.DISCLAIMER: Stories and content in Weird Darkness can be disturbing for some listeners and intended for mature audiences only. Parental discretion is strongly advised. #WeirdDarkness #HorrorStories #Creepypasta #ScaryStories #Paranormal #TrueScary #HorrorPodcast #Supernatural #DarkStories #Macabre

The legendary director's top-secret UFO film "Disclosure Day" has spawned wild conspiracy theories that actual extraterrestrials appear on screen — and the "evidence" is more entertaining than the movie will probably be. READ or SHARE: https://weirddarkness.com/spielberg-alien-film WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2026, Weird Darkness. #WeirdDarkness, #WeirdDarkNEWS, #StevenSpielberg, #DisclosureDay, #UFO, #Aliens, #ConspiracyTheory, #UFODisclosure, #Extraterrestrial, #SciFiMovies

They answered expecting a familiar voice, but the person calling had been dead for hours, days, or even twenty years — and somehow, they still had something to say. IN THIS EPISODE: A female serial killer is described as a “sadistic killer” who reveled in her evil actions while pretending to cure people in her sanitarium. (The Horrors of Doctor Hazzard) *** In a very remote part of Mongolia one person made an incredible find. It’s a discovery that could easily turn our understanding of ancient history upside down. (Ancient Mystery In Mongolia) *** What would you do if you saw a flash of light down the hall of a nursing home? (Nursing Home Shuffler) *** When you dream of loved ones who have passed away, do you consider it just a dream – or is that deceased family member reaching out to speak to you? (Dreaming Of Grandmother) *** A college girl leaves campus in her car… never to be seen again. (The Chilling, Unexplained Disappearance of Maura Murray) *** True unexplained stories about prank phone calls and mysterious harassers have always been the bread and butter of horror movies. But what happens when an unnamed creep starts making scary prank calls in real life? What about a loved one calling you from the site of a train crash – where they died moments before calling you? A dead girlfriend sending you a private message on Facebook? Or an email from a deceased friend? CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)… 00:00:00.000 = Lead-In 00:00:40.137 = Show Open 00:02:19.913 = The Horrors of Doctor Hazzard 00:07:46.847 = Ancient Mystery in Mongolia 00:22:18.727 = *** Dreaming of Grandmother 00:26:55.854 = Maura Murray 00:34:40.451 = Nursing Home Shuffler 00:37:01.777 = *** Dead Train Passenger 00:47:24.628 = *** Redditors’ Creepy Calls 00:52:31.840 = The Fircrest Restricted Caller01:01:57.973 = *** Dean Koontz’s Warning From The Other Side 01:09:08.656 = Email From The Underworld 01:11:11.582 = Facebook Message From Dead Girlfriend 01:14:25.782 = Show Close *** = Begins immediately after inserted ad break SOURCES and RESOURCES:“Ancient Mystery in Mongolia” by Ellen Lloyd (link no longer available) “Nursing Home Shuffler” (link no longer available) “The Horrors of Doctor Hazzard” by Xavier Ortega: http://bit.ly/2WkKOU7 “Dreaming of Grandmother” written by Weirdo family member C.C., submitted at WeirdDarkness.com “The Chilling, Unexplained Disappearance of Maura Murray” by Catherine Phelan: http://bit.ly/2WCUh8C “Dead Train Passenger Calling” by Erin McCann for Ranker: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/35ja28pf “Stalked By a Restricted Caller” by Jacob Shelton for Graveyard Shift: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/4kazrpuh “Email From The Underworld” by David Moye for the Huffington Post: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/y5vxtyke “Facebook Message from Dead Girlfriend” by Adam Dodd for Bloody-Disgusting.com: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/4z8msxmj “Creepy Phone Calls” by Aaron Edwards for Ranker: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/5c8etac5 “Dean Koontz’ Warning From The Other Side” by Jessika M. Thomas for Graveyard Shift:https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/kj3fazsd =====(Over time links may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)= = = = ="I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46= = = = =WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2025, Weird Darkness.=====Originally aired: June 01, 2019 & June 15, 2021 EPISODE PAGE (includes sources): https://weirddarkness.com/ContactedFromBeyond ABOUT WEIRD DARKNESS: Weird Darkness is a true crime and paranormal podcast narrated by professional award-winning voice actor, Darren...

I thought my new coworkers were hazing me when they told me the rules of this desert Army base, but then I met the faceless men in the sand. IN THIS EPISODE: It’s a creepypasta I narrated years ago that has become a fan favorite. It’s a story from David Pointer entitled simply, “The 12 Rules”. PRINT VERSION to READ or SHARE:“The 12 Rules” by David Pointer: http://bit.ly/2YihdaT=====(Over time links may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)= = = = ="I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46= = = = =WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2025, Weird Darkness.=====Originally aired: December, 2018 EPISODE PAGE (includes sources): https://weirddarkness.com/TwelveRules ABOUT WEIRD DARKNESS: Weird Darkness is a true crime and paranormal podcast narrated by professional award-winning voice actor, Darren Marlar. Seven days per week, Weird Darkness focuses on all things strange and macabre such as haunted locations, unsolved mysteries, true ghost stories, supernatural manifestations, urban legends, unsolved or cold cases, conspiracy theories, and more. Weird Darkness has been named one of the “20 Best Storytellers in Podcasting” by Podcast Business Journal. Listeners have described the show as a blend of “Coast to Coast AM”, “The Twilight Zone”, “Unsolved Mysteries”, and “In Search Of”.DISCLAIMER: Stories and content in Weird Darkness can be disturbing for some listeners and intended for mature audiences only. Parental discretion is strongly advised. #WeirdDarkness, #Creepypasta, #HorrorStories, #ScaryStories, #Paranormal, #Nosleep, #MilitaryHorror, #CreepyStories, #HorrorNarration, #TrueScaryStories

The legend of Stanley Stiers — an 11-year-old Iowa boy who allegedly murdered his family and classmates on Halloween in 1923 — bears an uncanny resemblance to a certain masked killer who wouldn't appear on screen for another 55 years. | #WDRadio WEEK OF JANUARY 04, 2026 ========== HOUR ONE: Was Stanley Stiers the real-life inspiration for Michael Myers in 1978’s John Carpenter film, “Halloween?” (The Real Michael Myers) *** The last known words of Peter Rugg were “Let the storm increase! I will see home tonight in spite of the last tempest, or I may never see home!" Over two-hundred years later and he has yet to make it home – but that hasn’t stopped his tempest! (The Eternal Ride of Peter Rugg) *** Imagine attending college for several years, only to find out that the whole time you’ve been studying on top of the corpses of thousands of mental patients. That’s exactly what happened in 2013 when The University of Mississippi made plans to expand parking for their students and staff. (The Corpses Under The University of Mississippi) *** Dealing with a ghost or two is awful enough – but what if you’re attacked by a whole gang of ghouls? It was reported as real news in 1889’s Chicago Tribune! (A Whole Gang O’ Ghosts) *** People With Super Powers! ========== HOUR TWO: It’s rumored that an arcade game from 1980 might lead to the real death of its players. We’ll look at the death curse of Berzerk. (The Berzerk Death Curse, And The Polybius Urban Legend) *** And another arcade game in the early 80s was surrounded by controversy – because the game never existed, despite so many saying it did. Or did it exist? We’ll look at the urban legend of Polybius. (The Urban Legend of Polybius) ========== SUDDEN DEATH OVERTIME: Michael Bryson disappeared on August 5th, 2020 from Hobo Campground at Umpqua National Forest. He has yet to be found. (The Disappearance of Michael Bryson) *** When it comes to cryptids, you have many to choose from – Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, the chupacabra, the list goes on and on. But I’m willing to bet nowhere on the list of your favorite cryptids, or even the cryptids you’ve ever heard of, do you have an entry for “The Belled Buzzard” of Texas. (The Belled Buzzard Legend) *** When the Black Plague arrived at Eyam's doorstep in the 17th century, its villagers were forced to choose between life or certain doom. It’s the tragic tale of England’s Plague Village. (The Black Plague Comes to Eyam) ========== SOURCES AND REFERENCES FROM TONIGHT’S SHOW:“People with Super Powers” from Paranormality Magazine: https://weirddarkness.com/magazine“The Berzerk Death Curse” by Cat DeSpira: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/yckk96tv “The Polybius Conspiracy” by Ryan Houlihan for InputMag.com: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2p8h6v8z“The Real Michael Myers” from Casper McFadden at TheMorbidLibrary.com: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/yvj6ueze, and from TheScareChamber.com: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/vmew9uvb; “Halloween” theme piano solo by Noud van Harskamp: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2T9m-fj8K9c, “Halloween Kills | Epic Orchestral Theme” by Mike Chibante: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E82MEfQiffk “The Disappearance of Michael Bryson” posted at Strange Outdoors: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/mwvb3am8 (If you know anything that could help solve Michael Bryson’s disappearance, or if you were at the Hobo Campground around August 3rd, 4th, or 5th of 2020, please reach out to the sheriff’s office at (541) 682-4150, option 1, and reference case No. 20-5286.) “The Eternal Ride of Peter Rugg” posted at SlightlyOddFitchburg.com: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/3z7pdtzn “The Corpses Under The University of Mississippi” by Erin Wisti for Ranker.com’s “Graveyard Shift”:https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2p8tdu6k “A Whole Gang O’ Ghosts” posted from Strange Company: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2p9ynpev “The Belled Buzzard Legend” from Texas Cryptid Hunter: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2p875fxv “The Black Plague Comes to Eyam”...

A Chinese shopping mall's radical solution to bathroom smokers accidentally preaches one of the most uncomfortable truths in Scripture. SERMON TRANSCRIPT…https://weirddarkness.com/COTU-TransparentBathroomStalls Weird Darkness® and Church Of The Undead™ are trademarked. Copyright © 2025. #WeirdDarkness #ChurchOfTheUndead #ChristianPodcast #WeirdNews #TransparentDoors #GodSeesEverything #EvangelicalSermon #WalkInTheLight #BibleTeaching #ViralChina

Pittsburgh's Congelier Mansion saw so much death — from a wife's bloody revenge to a doctor's gruesome experiments to workers found dead in the basement — that some believe the Devil himself reclaimed it in a 1927 explosion. IN THIS EPISODE: The dark and strange history of the Congelier Mansion in Pittsburgh is lost to time, but not to those who’ve heard the stories. (The House The Devil Built) *** A chance meeting brings two people love, then marriage… then jealousy and murder. (The Bitter Fruit of a Jest) *** He terrified citizens in Australia in the 1990s – suspected of at least twelve murders, and sentenced to seven life terms in prison. His name was Ivan Milat. (Serial Killer Ivan Milat) *** How can a young woman remember herself being old? (Hannah’s Past Lives) *** A toddler plays with an imaginary friend – who ends up being his deceased grandmother whom he has never met. (Panteletas) *** In 1972 an aircraft crashed into the Florida Everglades - and has become one of the most famous aircraft flights in the annals of the supernatural. (Ghosts of Flight 401) *** A young girl is beaten and abused as a child, ignored by her family and schoolmates, and ended up crying each night alone in her room… although she was not truly alone. (Who Is With Me) *** There is no doubt that something puzzling did happen hundreds of years ago in Ireland. Scientists, historians and locals admit this particular place is shrouded in mystery. (Unexplained Phenomenon in Ancient Ireland) *** Skyquakes. Mistpouffers. Seneca Guns. The mysterious booms in South Carolina have many names, but no one knows what causes them. (Mysterious Booms in South Carolina) *** A man had apparently leapt off the roof of a building, committing suicide. That would’ve been the end of it, except that police found a note in the man’s pocket with instructions on how to find the pieces of his girlfriend. (The Zach and Addie Murder/Suicide) *** No one paid much attention to Kaspar Hauser when he strolled into Nuremberg one morning in 1828. But that would soon change. (The Enduring 200 Year Mystery of Kaspar Hauser) *** When a man goes to prison, only to come home a year later and find his wife with another man, you know the ending already. (The Brown Tragedy) *** A woman’s body was found in a secluded Texas home, sitting upright in a rocking chair in front of a mysterious altar. The murder of Olivia Mabel is so strange that authorities are asking for your help in solving the mystery. (The Bizarre Death of Olivia Mabel) CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)… 00:00:00.000 = Lead-In 00:02:01.738 = Show Intro 00:05:24.743 = The House The Devil Built 00:11:48.540 = Hanna’s Past Lives 00:13:33.398 = The Bitter Fruit Jest 00:20:13.564 = *** Who Is With Me? 00:25:42.497 = Serial Killer Ivan Milat 00:28:47.613 = Pantaletas 00:31:44.374 = The Ghosts of Flight 401 00:38:16.916 = *** Bizarre Death of Olivia Mabel 00:45:34.863 = The Brown Tragedy 00:52:31.214 = Unexplained Phenomenon in Ancient Ireland 00:59:29.887 = *** The Enduring 200 Year Mystery of Kasper Hauser 01:04:04.466 = Mysterious Booms Plague South Carolina 01:08:30.288 = *** The Zach And Addie Murder-Suicide 01:17:29.747 = Show Close *** = Begins immediately after inserted ad break SOURCES and RESOURCES – and/or --- PRINT VERSION to READ or SHARE:“The House The Devil Built” posted at The Occult Museum (link no longer available) “The Bitter Fruit of a Jest” by Robert Wilhelm for Murder By Gaslight: http://bit.ly/2WtC2Cy “Serial Killer Ivan Milat” by Robert Keller (link no longer available) “Hannah’s Past Lives” was submitted anonymously “Pantaletas” submitted by Michy from Upcycle Creations: http://bit.ly/2WqMwCx “Ghosts of Flight 401” by Troy Taylor in his book, “Cabinet of Curiosities”: https://amzn.to/2KEWqI5 “Who Is With Me” from YourGhostStories.com: http://bit.ly/30Q2WnJ “Unexplained Phenomenon in Ancient Ireland” by Ellen Lloyd: (link no longer available) “Mysterious Booms Plague...

A strange sickness documented since the 1600s causes its victims to see the people around them as edible — and several who caught it killed and ate their own families. IN THIS EPISODE: The Wendigo is terrifying enough – with its backstory claiming it is the creation of a person who chose to become a cannibal, and ended up twisting up into the legendary monster. But that’s just it – so far, it’s only just a legend. We have no solid proof of its existence. But even more horrifying than the Wendigo is Wendigo Psychosis – something that is not a legend at all. (Wendigo Psychosis: When Humans Become Monsters) *** Lauretta Lyons was killed in her own home on June 9th, 1966. And now, so many decades later, authorities are still at a loss as to who committed the murder. (The 1966 Murder Rockford Police Failed: Witnesses Identified the Killer — But He Was Never Charged) *** What does it feel like to die? We obviously won’t know personally until we die ourselves, as it’s hard to talk to someone about their experience of dying if they are… well… dead. But Reverend J.T. Mann can describe it – as he was hanged… died… and then came back to life to tell the story of what happened to his soul while he was gone. (The Man Who Came Back From the Noose: Rev. J. T. Mann) *** We’ll look at a few other legendary creatures and cryptids that have some interesting stories attached to them! (Mythical Creatures You've Probably Never Heard Of) CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)… 00:00:00.000 = The Face of the Wendigo 00:00:50.500 = Show Open 00:02:54.563 = Wendigo Psychosis: When Humans Become Monsters 00:13:34.059 = *** Mythical Creatures You've Probably Never Heard Of 00:27:18.914 = **** The 1966 Murder Rockford Police Failed: Witnesses Identified the Killer — But He Was Never Charged 00:34:53.557 = The Man Who Came Back From the Noose: Rev. J. T. Mann 00:39:54.302 = *** A Ouija Board, a Demon House, and a Lifetime of Terror 00:52:11.523 = Show Close *** = Begins immediately after inserted ad break SOURCES and RESOURCES: “Wendigo Psychosis” by Kathy Weiser for Legends of America: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/ymvwr3cr “More Mythological Monsters” by Estelle for ListVerse: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/dd9dy63a “The 1966 Murder Rockford Police Failed: Witnesses Identified the Killer — But He Was Never Charged” by Kathi Kresol for Haunted Rockford: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/ysmfm8ap “The Man Who Came Back From the Noose: Rev. J. T. Mann” by Robert A. Waters for the website Kidnapping, Murder and Mayhem: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/82vvt58p “A Ouija Board, a Demon House, and a Lifetime of Terror” by Weirdo family member, Reverend Terry Wheless=====(Over time links may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)= = = = ="I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46= = = = =WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2025, Weird Darkness.=====Originally aired: May 19, 2021 EPISODE PAGE (includes sources): https://weirddarkness.com/WendigoPsychosis ABOUT WEIRD DARKNESS: Weird Darkness is a true crime and paranormal podcast narrated by professional award-winning voice actor, Darren Marlar. Seven days per week, Weird Darkness focuses on all things strange and macabre such as haunted locations, unsolved mysteries, true ghost stories, supernatural manifestations, urban legends, unsolved or cold cases, conspiracy theories, and more. Weird Darkness has been named one of the “20 Best Storytellers in Podcasting” by Podcast Business Journal. Listeners have described the show as a blend of “Coast to Coast AM”, “The Twilight Zone”,...

When my friend dared me to explore an abandoned house, I didn't expect to find a puppet blocking my only way out. | “MR. RUBBERHEAD” by A.J. Spencer Find more family-friendly frights and creepy games to play on our website at http://MicroTerrors.com! Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/microterrors Other stories, novels, and more from author Scott Donnelly: https://amzn.to/3LymHaU Other narrations, podcasts, and audiobooks from voice artist Darren Marlar: https://WeirdDarkness.com = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Weird Darkness©, 2025 Micro Terrors: Scary Stories for Kids™, 2025#ScaryStoriesForKids #StoriesForKids #KidsStories #HalloweenKids #MicroTerrors #HalloweenStories #WeirdDarkness

After taking an online personality assessment, I discovered I exhibit very high traits associated with autism — not a formal diagnosis, but an explanation for patterns I've lived with my entire life. The results helped make sense of why I thrive during structured performances like stand-up comedy, stage acting, radio broadcasting, and podcasting, yet feel completely drained by unstructured social interaction afterward. I recount how remote broadcasts and convention appearances left me counting the minutes until I could escape to solitude, and how my favorite parts of traveling in the Weird Darkness Beast were always the quiet hours alone on the road or in hotel rooms — not the events themselves.The assessment also shed light on smaller quirks, like my tendency to let my beard grow wild before trimming it all at once (efficiency over daily maintenance), and deeper emotional patterns, like processing my father's death without tears or visible sadness. A medical professional once reassured me that being naturally stoic is simply a different way of experiencing life, not a sign that something is missing.I reflect on my earlier depression diagnosis and wonder whether some of what was treated might have been the cumulative effect of decades spent not understanding how my own brain operates. Ultimately, the experience gave me context rather than a label — a quiet recognition of why certain things drain me and others restore me. I encourage you to examine your own patterns and see if perhaps you can learn something new about yourself - or explain some of your own personality quirks.

A young woman institutionalized for disagreeing with her parents, a 12-year-old boy punished for daydreaming, even a Kennedy daughter silenced to protect her brother's political career – all lobotomized. These people and five others went into surgery as individuals with hopes, dreams, and personalities — and came out as complete strangers to themselves. CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)…00:00:00.000 = Show Open 00:02:12.814 = The Man Who Could Make Dead Fish Talk 00:08:48.284 = *** They Murdered Their Mothers 00:21:37.851 = The Ghostly Handprint of Francis Leavy 00:26:41.319 = *** Victims of Lobotomies 00:37:09.950 = Listener submitted story from Michael Emmanuel Omokhuvie 00:41:47.332 = Show Close*** = Begins immediately after inserted ad break SOURCES and RESOURCES:“The Man Who Could Make Dead Fish Talk” by Sarah Murden for Georgian Era:https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2nte76b6 “The Ghostly Handprint of Francis Leavy” by Prince Petropia for Paranorms: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/53xwm2wd, and by Adam for Mysterious Chicago: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/yxcvw3td “They Murdered Their Mothers” by Jessika M. Thomas for Ranker: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/kxprwkyk “The Victims of Lobotomies” by Jacob Shelton for Ranker: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/3kuhpcxf=====(Over time links may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)= = = = ="I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46= = = = =WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2025, Weird Darkness.=====Originally aired: May 18, 2021 EPISODE PAGE (includes sources): https://weirddarkness.com/lobotomized ABOUT WEIRD DARKNESS: Weird Darkness is a true crime and paranormal podcast narrated by professional award-winning voice actor, Darren Marlar. Seven days per week, Weird Darkness focuses on all things strange and macabre such as haunted locations, unsolved mysteries, true ghost stories, supernatural manifestations, urban legends, unsolved or cold cases, conspiracy theories, and more. Weird Darkness has been named one of the “20 Best Storytellers in Podcasting” by Podcast Business Journal. Listeners have described the show as a blend of “Coast to Coast AM”, “The Twilight Zone”, “Unsolved Mysteries”, and “In Search Of”.DISCLAIMER: Stories and content in Weird Darkness can be disturbing for some listeners and intended for mature audiences only. Parental discretion is strongly advised. #WeirdDarkness, #Lobotomy, #RosemaryKennedy, #MedicalHistory, #DarkHistory, #TrueStories, #DisturbingHistory, #MedicalHorror, #KennedyFamily, #DrWalterFreeman

A 25-year-old Lake City man allegedly proved that you don't need pockets to pull off a robbery — just a face covering, a weapon, and zero shame - along with zero clothes. READ or SHARE: https://weirddarkness.com/NakedMeatRobbery WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2026, Weird Darkness. #WeirdDarkness #WeirdDarkNEWS #FloridaMan #TrueCrime #StrangeNews #BizarreCrime #WeirdNews #DumbCriminals #FloridaCrime #NakedRobbery

In 1903, a man arrived at Leavenworth Prison claiming he'd never been there before — but the staff found his exact double already serving a life sentence inside. READ MY DEEP-DIVE ARTICLE ON THIS STORY: https://weirddarkness.com/williamwest/ In May 1903, a convict named Will West arrived at Leavenworth Prison in Kansas. The intake clerk was certain he'd seen this man before — and a search of prison records turned up a card for William West, a convicted murderer whose measurements and photograph were a near-perfect match. The problem? William West was already locked up inside Leavenworth, serving a life sentence. The two men had never met, weren't related, and had no idea the other existed. Their extraordinary resemblance would expose a fatal flaw in the world's leading criminal identification system — and help launch the forensic technique we still rely on today. IN THIS EPISODE: How do you convince people you are innocent of a crime committed by someone who looks exactly like you and even shares your name? It’s the strange story of William West and… William West. (Will The Real William West Please Step Forward) *** In November 1638, Dorothy Talby killed her three-year-old daughter. She admitted so when first arrested. But then she refused to say anything when brought before a judge. But then, what would you expect from a woman, which we all know is more easily persuaded by Satan to sin – and women were much more likely to be seduced by witchcraft. At least, that’s what people believed in the 17th century. (The Case of Dorothy Talbye) *** It’s understood and agreed to by most that while it is a lot of fun to think about, time travel is simply not possible – and will probably never be seeing as we’ve never met any time travelers. Or… maybe we have? (True Time-Travel Moments) *** Stories of shapeshifters seem to be told worldwide – and the Celtic nations are no different. We’ll look at a few shape-changing creatures from Ireland, Wales and Scotland. (Shape-Shifters Of The Celts) CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)… 00:00:00.000 = The Leavenworth Lookalikes 00:01:59.171 = Show Intro 00:04:01.126 = Two Strangers, One Face: Will The Real William West Please Step Forward 00:18:16.969 = ***A Mother, A Murder, A Mental Illness, and Justice in 17th-Century New England 00:25:32.536 = Who Sent Messages Dated Decades Ahead of Time? And How Did They Send Them? 00:35:00.004 = Cold Hands 00:39:21.083 = *** When Gods Became Beasts: Shapeshifting in Celtic Myth 00:47:59.748 = Show Close *** = Begins immediately after inserted ad break SOURCES and RESOURCES – and/or --- PRINT VERSION to READ or SHARE: “Will The Real William West Please Step Forward?” by Dean Jobb for Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine (https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/5y8wybsa), Martin Chalakoski for The Vintage News (https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/th4ujesh), and Lee Ferran for ABC News (https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/sa66vcwf) “A Mother, A Murder, A Mental Illness, and Justice in 17th-Century New England” by Romeo Vitelli for Providentia: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/yu54cyn8 “Who Sent Messages Dated Decades Ahead of Time? And How Did They Send Them?” posted at Earth-Chronicles.com: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/hh8tbwcr “When Gods Became Beasts: Shapeshifting in Celtic Myth” by Zteve T. Evans for FolkloreThursday.com:https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/3m53e2h8=====(Over time links may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)= = = = ="I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46= = = = =WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2026, Weird...

A Moscow corporate party turned into a medical emergency when a celebrity chef's flashy "cryo-show" cocktail expanded inside a man's stomach like an internal airbag, rupturing the organ and sending him to the ICU — and he's far from the only victim. READ or SHARE: https://weirddarkness.com/liquid-nitrogen-cocktails WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2026, Weird Darkness. #WeirdDarkness, #LiquidNitrogen, #DangerousDrinks, #StomachRupture, #DragonBreath, #FoodSafety, #ViralTrends, #TrueCrime, #BizarreStories, #DontTryThis

A mysterious woman with unexplainable powers saves a half-blind gold prospector in the Klondike wilderness and follows him back to civilization — but when he abandons her and their children for a politician's daughter, she reminds him that the same gifts that saved his life can just as easily destroy it. | “The Gift of Doom” from CBS Radio Mystery Theater | #RetroRadio EP0572 CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)… 00:00:00.000 = Show Open 00:01:30.028 = CBS Radio Mystery Theater, “The Gift of Doom” (March 24, 1977) 00:45:11.256 = Calling All Cars, “Triple Cross” (May 22, 1936) ***WD 01:14:37.473 = BBC’s Haunted: Tales of the Supernatural, “Christina” (August 16, 1980) ***WD 01:41:13.947 = The Haunting Hour, “The People In The House” (August 17, 1945) ***WD 02:08:38.394 = Murder Is My Hobby, “Death Is a Twin” (September 12, 1947) 02:33:00.833 = Sherlock Holmes, “The Black Angus” (October 19, 1946) 03:02:11.171 = The House of Mystery, “The Ghost Who Forgot Halloween” (October 27, 1945) ***WD 03:33:32.680 = Incredible But True, “Where There’s Smoke” (1950-1951) 03:37:04.168 = Inner Sanctum, “Death Ship” (August 10, 1941) 04:04:04.256 = The Key, “Union Corruption” (1956) 04:28:35.469 = Lights Out, “Uninhabited” (December 22, 1937) ***WD (LQ) 04:57:23.185 = Show Close (ADU) = Air Date Unknown (LQ) = Low Quality ***WD = Remastered, edited, or cleaned up by Weird Darkness to make the episode more listenable. Audio may not be pristine, but it will be better than the original file which may have been unusable or more difficult to hear without editing. Weird Darkness theme by Alibi Music Library ABOUT WEIRD DARKNESS: Weird Darkness is a true crime and paranormal podcast narrated by professional award-winning voice actor, Darren Marlar. Seven days per week, Weird Darkness focuses on all thing strange and macabre such as haunted locations, unsolved mysteries, true ghost stories, supernatural manifestations, urban legends, unsolved or cold case murders, conspiracy theories, and more. On Thursdays, this scary stories podcast features horror fiction along with the occasional creepypasta. Weird Darkness has been named one of the “Best 20 Storytellers in Podcasting” by Podcast Business Journal. Listeners have described the show as a cross between “Coast to Coast” with Art Bell, “The Twilight Zone” with Rod Serling, “Unsolved Mysteries” with Robert Stack, and “In Search Of” with Leonard Nimoy. = = = = = "I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46 = = = = = WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2025, Weird Darkness. = = = = =#ParanormalRadio #ScienceFiction #OldTimeRadio #OTR #OTRHorror #ClassicRadioShows #HorrorRadioShows #VintageRadioDramas #WeirdDarkness CUSTOM WEBPAGE: https://weirddarkness.com/WDRR0572

From an 1856 "ape-man" found near railroad tracks in Maine to the famous Jacko capture of 1884, Bigfoot sightings have an uncanny habit of occurring along railway lines — and no one knows why. IN THIS EPISODE: Have you ever noticed there seems to be something special going on with railroad tracks and Bigfoot? (Riding The Rails With Bigfoot) *** A man in Oklahoma reports a being on the side of the road that looked human – except it had the head of a snake! And the Native American population have an answer to what it is! (The Oklahoma Snakeman) *** What do you do if you are a woman in the 1800s whose husband was just tossed into prison for graverobbing? Well, if you were anything like Helen Miller neé Begbie, you might decide to continue the family business on your own. (Invasion of The Lasswade Body Snatchers) *** An author seeks out an alien abductee in order to try and get abducted himself! (An Author’s Search For Extraterrestrial Visitors) CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)… 00:00:00.000 = Disclaimer and Show Open 00:01:33.156 = Riding The Rails With Bigfoot 00:08:11.273 = ***The Oklahoma Snakeman 00:14:00.966 = Invasion of the Lasswade Body Snatchers 00:24:43.856 = *** An Author’s Search For Extraterrestrial Visitors 00:38:30.931 = Story from listener, Meagan Campbell 00:43:09.428 = Show Close SOURCES AND REFERENCES FROM THE EPISODE… “Riding The Rails With Bigfoot” by Loren Coleman for Cryptomundo: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/ywrrahtk “The Oklahoman Snakeman” posted at Cryptook (link no longer available) “Invasion of the Lasswade Body Snatchers” by Suzie for DiggingUp1800.com: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/3pfr44xf (BLOG POST: “Mortstones - Protecting Yourself from the Resurrection Men”: https://weirddarkness.com/mortstones-protecting-yourself-from-the-resurrection-men/) “An Author’s Search For Extraterrestrial Visitors” posted at Anomalien: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/bntxzb5n (BOOK: “The Magical Universe of William S. Burroughs” by Matthew Levi Stephens: https://amzn.to/2SEYLLD) = = = = = (Over time links seen above may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.) = = = = = "I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46 = = = = = WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2024, Weird Darkness. = = = = = Originally aired: May 11, 2021 EPISODE PAGE: https://weirddarkness.com/BigfootRailroad ABOUT WEIRD DARKNESS: Weird Darkness is a true crime and paranormal podcast narrated by professional award-winning voice actor, Darren Marlar. Seven days per week, Weird Darkness focuses on all things strange and macabre such as haunted locations, unsolved mysteries, true ghost stories, supernatural manifestations, urban legends, unsolved or cold cases, conspiracy theories, and more. Weird Darkness has been named one of the “20 Best Storytellers in Podcasting” by Podcast Business Journal. Listeners have described the show as a blend of “Coast to Coast AM”, “The Twilight Zone”, “Unsolved Mysteries”, and “In Search Of”.DISCLAIMER: Stories and content in Weird Darkness can be disturbing for some listeners and intended for mature audiences only. Parental discretion is strongly advised. #Bigfoot #Sasquatch #Cryptozoology #Cryptid #Unexplained #WildMan #BigfootSighting #StrangeCreatures #BigfootEvidence #WeirdDarkness

A restless English tourist discovers a hidden entrance to an unopened Egyptian pyramid — and stumbles into a royal banquet where mummies wake every thousand years to feast in the flesh. He has just 24 hours among the living dead before they return to their cases for another millennium. IN THIS EPISODE: As we head into a new year, I thought it would be appropriate to make something old, new again – it’s a story I shared many years ago in the podcast and I really enjoyed narrating it – plus, it’s very appropriate for the day. The story was written in 1880 by Grant Allen; it’s titled “My New Year’s Eve Among The Mummies”. = = = = = (Over time links seen above may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.) = = = = = "I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46 = = = = = WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2025, Weird Darkness. = = = = = Originally aired: December 31, 2021 EPISODE PAGE: https://weirddarkness.com/NewYearsEveMummies #Mummies #AncientEgypt #Pyramid #HorrorStory #Supernatural #ClassicHorror #EgyptianMummies #WeirdFiction #CreepyStories #WeirdDarkness

From Germany to India to suburban England, thousands of parents are paying hefty fees for courses that promise to awaken their children’s “third eye” – but what are they really teaching? IN THIS EPISODE: From Germany to India to suburban England, thousands of parents are paying hefty fees for courses that promise to awaken their children’s “third eye” – but what are they really teaching? (Third Eye Children) *** Scientists discovered something massive buried beneath the lunar surface in 2019 — a metallic mass so large it could stretch from New York to Chicago, hidden hundreds of miles underground where no one expected anything to exist. (The Moon’s Impossible Secrets) *** Your computer screen flickers red, a simple question appears, and within days, the walls of your room are painted with your own blood – at least, that’s what thousands of internet users claim happened to them after encountering the most notorious cursed website in digital history. (The Red Room Curse) *** A former NASA engineer claims extraterrestrial technology isn’t just visiting Earth — it’s embedded in our planet by the trillions, invisible and self-aware. (Invisible Alien Spy Devices) CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)… 00:00:00.000 = Seeing Without Eyes 00:02:51.375 = Show Open 00:06:37.474 = Third Eye Children 00:32:22.777 = *** Invisible Alien Spy Devices 00:48:22.848 = *** The Moon’s Impossible Secrets 01:19:22.654 = *** The Red Room Curse 01:33:54.442 = Show Close *** = Begins immediately after inserted ad break SOURCES and RESOURCES – and/or --- PRINT VERSION to READ or SHARE: Invisible Alien Spy Devices: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/a9ps2379 The Red Room Curse: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/565vpe6t The Moon’s Impossible Secrets: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/298vbuvc Third Eye Children: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/yc2j46we =====(Over time links may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)= = = = ="I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46= = = = =WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2025, Weird Darkness.=====Originally aired: November 13, 2025 EPISODE PAGE (includes sources): https://weirddarkness.com/ThirdEyeChildren ABOUT WEIRD DARKNESS: Weird Darkness is a true crime and paranormal podcast narrated by professional award-winning voice actor, Darren Marlar. Seven days per week, Weird Darkness focuses on all thing strange and macabre such as haunted locations, unsolved mysteries, true ghost stories, supernatural manifestations, urban legends, unsolved or cold case murders, conspiracy theories, and more. On Thursdays, this scary stories podcast features horror fiction along with the occasional creepypasta. Weird Darkness has been named one of the “Best 20 Storytellers in Podcasting” by Podcast Business Journal. Listeners have described the show as a cross between “Coast to Coast” with Art Bell, “The Twilight Zone” with Rod Serling, “Unsolved Mysteries” with Robert Stack, and “In Search Of” with Leonard Nimoy.DISCLAIMER: Ads heard during the podcast that are not in my voice are placed by third party agencies outside of my control and should not imply an endorsement by Weird Darkness or myself. *** Stories and content in Weird Darkness can be disturbing for some listeners and intended for mature audiences only. Parental discretion is strongly advised. #WeirdDarkness #ThirdEyeAwakening #SeeingWithoutEyes #MidbrainActivation #BlindfoldedReading #SpiritualScams #ParanormalDebunked #PsychicChildren #ThirdEyeFraud #CriticalThinking