Episode 36- Missing without a trace? The Steven Kubacki Story

Episode 36- Missing without a trace? The Steven Kubacki Story

In 1978, 24-year-old Steven Kubacki set out on a solo cross-country ski trip near the icy shores of Lake Michigan. When his abandoned skis and tracks leading straight onto the frozen lake were discovered, it appeared he had fallen through the ice and died. Despite an extensive search, no body was ever found. Then, 15 months later, Steven suddenly reappeared over 700 miles away in Massachusetts—with no memory of what had happened. He claimed to have awakened in a field wearing clothes that weren't his, carrying a backpack he didn't recognize, and with no recollection of the missing year and a half of his life. Was it a rare case of dissociative amnesia? Did he intentionally disappear to start a new life? Or is Steven Kubacki one of the most baffling missing-person mysteries ever recorded? In this episode of The Vibes Were Off, we break down the timeline, examine the evidence, explore the psychological explanations, and discuss the theories that continue to surround one of the strangest disappearance stories ever told. Was Steven lost... or was something much stranger going on? 🎧 Listen now and decide for yourself. #TrueCrime #MissingPerson #StevenKubacki #UnsolvedMystery #Disappearances #LakeMichigan #MysteryPodcast #TheVibesWereOff #TrueCrimePodcast #ColdCases #StrangeDisappearances #UnexplainedMysteries Resources: The Disappearance: Conspiracy, Revolution, Revelation… The Extraordinary Disappearance of Steven Kubacki (After 45 Years of Silence) by Steven Kubacki, PhD with Dylan James Quarles https://ellenkilloran.substack.com/archive [https://ellenkilloran.substack.com/archive]: The Misappearance of Steven Kubacki https://metroeaststar.com/2025/10/07/steven-kubacki-reveals-why-he-disappeared-in-new-book/ [https://metroeaststar.com/2025/10/07/steven-kubacki-reveals-why-he-disappeared-in-new-book/].  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Michigan_Triangle [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Michigan_Triangle].  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naxalism [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naxalism].  Photo Credit:  https://stevenkubacki.com/ [https://stevenkubacki.com/].  https://www.adirondackexplorer.org/recreation/cross-country-skiing-the-floodwood-ponds-loop/ [https://www.adirondackexplorer.org/recreation/cross-country-skiing-the-floodwood-ponds-loop/]. (Skiing Picture)  https://ellenkilloran.substack.com/archive [https://ellenkilloran.substack.com/archive]: The Misappearance of Steven Kubacki.  Produced by: Raymond Malley

Episode 35 - Lisa McVey

Lisa McVey was 17 years old, riding her bicycle home from work, when a car slowly pulled up beside her. Moments later, she was kidnapped by a man who had already murdered multiple women—and she was convinced she would never make it home again. But instead of giving in to fear, Lisa did something extraordinary. She stayed calm, studied her captor, memorized every detail she could, and used psychology to convince a serial killer to let her live. What happened after her release was almost as shocking: many people didn't believe her. Even so, Lisa refused to back down, and the information she provided would ultimately lead detectives to one of the most prolific serial killers in Florida history. In this episode of The Vibes Were Off, Kathryn and Meg tell the incredible true story of Lisa McVey's survival, the hunt for Bobby Joe Long, and how one teenager's courage helped stop a killer before he could strike again.Resources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisa_McVey [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisa_McVey] https://blurredbylines.com/articles/lisa-mcvey-abduction-story-bobby-joe-long/ [https://blurredbylines.com/articles/lisa-mcvey-abduction-story-bobby-joe-long/] https://www.tampabay.com/tampa/tampa-serial-killer-bobby-joe-long-is-executed-in-silence-20190523/ [https://www.tampabay.com/tampa/tampa-serial-killer-bobby-joe-long-is-executed-in-silence-20190523/] https://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/2019/05/family-witnesses-execution-of-serial-killer-who-murdered-michigan-woman.html [https://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/2019/05/family-witnesses-execution-of-serial-killer-who-murdered-michigan-woman.html] https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/its-been-horrible-victims-family-speaks-after-execution-date-set-for-serial-killer/67-831cd9b5-e8c0-43cf-b141-77973c43f9be [https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/its-been-horrible-victims-family-speaks-after-execution-date-set-for-serial-killer/67-831cd9b5-e8c0-43cf-b141-77973c43f9be] https://www.fox13news.com/news/execution-does-not-bring-closure-for-family-of-kim-swann-victim-of-bobby-joe-long [https://www.fox13news.com/news/execution-does-not-bring-closure-for-family-of-kim-swann-victim-of-bobby-joe-long]

Episode 34- House of Horrors: Pt. 2

In Part 2 of House of Horrors, we dive deeper into the nightmare unfolding inside Gary Heidnik's Philadelphia basement. As the abuse escalates, Heidnik uses fear, starvation, and psychological manipulation to maintain control over the women he has imprisoned. Under constant threats and brutal punishment, trust becomes a luxury none of them can afford.This episode explores the impossible choices the women were forced to make to survive, including how Heidnik manipulated some captives into helping enforce his control over the others. We'll follow the events that ultimately led to his downfall, the daring escape that exposed the horrors hidden inside the house, and the investigation that shocked the nation. Finally, we'll examine what happened to Gary Heidnik after his arrest, the trial that revealed the full extent of his crimes, and the lasting impact his victims' courage had on bringing a monster to justice. Resources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_M._Heidnik. https://crimelibrary.org/serial_killers/weird/heidnik/. https://law.justia.com/cases/pennsylvania/supreme-court/1991/526-pa-458-1.html. Interview with Gary Heidnik Clip - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhBLYDHRCSQ (starts at 13:30) https://www.aetv.com/articles/gary-heidnik. Monster Preacher Documentary: Oxygen True Crime https://www.truecrimeedition.com/post/gary-heidnik. https://theywillkillyou.com/profile/gary-m-heidnik. https://thecinemaholic.com/gary-heidnik-survivors/. TV Show: The Killer Next Door – Gary Heidnik: House of Horrors https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milgram_experiment. Photo Credits: https://allthatsinteresting.com/gary-heidnik. https://crimelibrary.org/serial_killers/weird/heidnik/. https://www.truecrimeedition.com/post/gary-heidnik. https://theywillkillyou.com/profile/gary-m-heidnik. https://murderpedia.org/male.H/h1/heidnik-gary-photos.htm. https://discover.hubpages.com/politics/Serial-Killer-Gary-Heidnik-Inspiration-for-Movie-Silence-of-the-Lambs. https://medium.com/@lisariggio1994/gary-heidnik-and-the-6-women-in-the-cellar-23d87e450596. https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/gary-heidnik-attorney-house-of-horrors-buffalo-bill-true-crime-doc. Produced by: Raymond Malley

Episode 33- House of Horrors: Part 1

At first glance, Gary Heidnik seemed like an unlikely predator—a self-proclaimed preacher who appeared to have wealth, influence, and a quiet life in Philadelphia. But behind closed doors, he was carefully searching for vulnerable women he believed no one would miss. In Part 1, Kathryn and Meg dive into the beginning of Heidnik's horrifying crimes. From the warning signs that were overlooked to the first kidnappings that would set a nightmare in motion, this episode follows how Heidnik lured women into his home and transformed his basement into a prison. As more victims disappeared, the situation became increasingly terrifying, leaving the women trapped in a fight for survival with no way of knowing if they would ever escape. This is the beginning of one of the most disturbing captivity cases in American history—and the story of the women whose courage would eventually help bring it to an end. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_M._Heidnik [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_M._Heidnik].   https://crimelibrary.org/serial_killers/weird/heidnik/ [https://crimelibrary.org/serial_killers/weird/heidnik/].   https://law.justia.com/cases/pennsylvania/supreme-court/1991/526-pa-458-1.html [https://law.justia.com/cases/pennsylvania/supreme-court/1991/526-pa-458-1.html].   Interview with Gary Heidnik Clip - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhBLYDHRCSQ [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhBLYDHRCSQ] (starts at 13:30)   https://www.aetv.com/articles/gary-heidnik [https://www.aetv.com/articles/gary-heidnik].   Monster Preacher Documentary: Oxygen True Crime   https://www.truecrimeedition.com/post/gary-heidnik [https://www.truecrimeedition.com/post/gary-heidnik].   https://theywillkillyou.com/profile/gary-m-heidnik [https://theywillkillyou.com/profile/gary-m-heidnik].   https://thecinemaholic.com/gary-heidnik-survivors/ [https://thecinemaholic.com/gary-heidnik-survivors/].   TV Show: The Killer Next Door – Gary Heidnik: House of Horrors  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milgram_experiment [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milgram_experiment].   Photo Credits:   https://allthatsinteresting.com/gary-heidnik [https://allthatsinteresting.com/gary-heidnik].   https://crimelibrary.org/serial_killers/weird/heidnik/ [https://crimelibrary.org/serial_killers/weird/heidnik/].   https://www.truecrimeedition.com/post/gary-heidnik [https://www.truecrimeedition.com/post/gary-heidnik].   https://theywillkillyou.com/profile/gary-m-heidnik [https://theywillkillyou.com/profile/gary-m-heidnik].   https://murderpedia.org/male.H/h1/heidnik-gary-photos.htm [https://murderpedia.org/male.H/h1/heidnik-gary-photos.htm].   https://discover.hubpages.com/politics/Serial-Killer-Gary-Heidnik-Inspiration-for-Movie-Silence-of-the-Lambs [https://discover.hubpages.com/politics/Serial-Killer-Gary-Heidnik-Inspiration-for-Movie-Silence-of-the-Lambs].   https://medium.com/@lisariggio1994/gary-heidnik-and-the-6-women-in-the-cellar-23d87e450596 [https://medium.com/@lisariggio1994/gary-heidnik-and-the-6-women-in-the-cellar-23d87e450596].   https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/gary-heidnik-attorney-house-of-horrors-buffalo-bill-true-crime-doc [https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/gary-heidnik-attorney-house-of-horrors-buffalo-bill-true-crime-doc].  Produced by: Raymond Malley

Episode 32- Shot in the Dark: The Survival Story of Sharon Komlos

A single headlight appeared in Sharon Komlos's rearview mirror late one night. Assuming the driver wanted to get around her, she slowed down and pulled over. Seconds later, a bullet tore through her head.You won't believe what happened next.Bleeding and terrified, Sharon found herself trapped in a nightmare of kidnapping, assault, and unimaginable cruelty. And when a man appeared who seemed like he might be her chance at rescue, she quickly learned that not everyone who offers help has good intentions.This week we cover Sharon's incredible story of survival, the determination that kept her alive, and the escape that turned the tables on the man who thought he'd taken everything from her. References: Myotron Infomercial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMG0h4rVQ9o. TV Series: I Survived - Season 3 Episode 6 https://www.deseret.com/1990/5/1/18859623/woman-who-was-blinded-in-attack-hasn-t-lost-her-sense-of-humor/. https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1990/04/26/victim-of-a-brutal-rape-working-to-help-others/. https://www.casemine.com/judgement/us/591490d0add7b0493457d1cb. Picture Credit: Young Sharon - Myotron Infomercial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMG0h4rVQ9o. Sharon’s Book Thomas Rossi - https://rain-street.org/Thomas-Rossi-7p1X12. Produced by: Raymond Malley