Weird Darkness: Paranormal & True Crime Stories

The Aftermath of Alien Contact | Do Abductions Open a Door to the Paranormal?

The abduction ends. But for many alien contactees, that's when the real strangeness begins — objects moving on their own, electronics going haywire, and psychic abilities they never asked for. IN THIS EPISODE: Some say she was an old hag, while others say she was a polite and beautiful old woman. But townsfolk were terrified of her either way, because everyone knew Moll Dyer was a witch. Whether she was or not, what transpired around her and to her has caused something of the paranormal. (Moll Dyer Was a Witch) *** Hollywood actress Mary Astor was the flame that began a firestorm sex scandal… a story so hot that it made front page headlines. (The Purple Diary Scandal) *** A night watchman gets into a fistfight with a ghost! (Phantom Fistfight) *** The murder of Rose Ambler has gone unsolved for well over a hundred years. No one alive at the time is alive today, but still, for law some in law enforcement in Connecticut, as well as amateur and professional detectives alike, it’s a case that keep drawing them back. (Murder at Raven Stream) *** What do alien abductions, poltergeists, and holistic healing have in common? You might be surprised to see how they are connected. (Aliens, Ghosts, and Holistic Healing) CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)… 00:00:00.000 = Show Open 00:02:00.271 = Aliens, Ghosts, and Holistic Healing 00:22:11.456 = The Purple Diary Scandal *** 00:31:00.712 = Phantom Fistfight 00:38:35.073 = Murder at Raven Stream *** 00:46:50.270 = Grandpa Chuck’s Time-Out Room: A Story From Weird Darkness Listener, Gina 00:55:18.212 = Moll Dyer Was a Witch *** 01:02:48.582 = Show Close*** = Begins immediately after inserted ad break SOURCES and RESOURCES: “The Purple Diary Scandal” by Joy Lanzendorfer for Mental Floss: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/vtsxjxr3 [https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/vtsxjxr3] “Phantom Fistfight” by M.J. Wayland: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/44v87pk5 [https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/44v87pk5] “Murder at Raven Stream” by Robert Wilhelm for Murder By Gaslight: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/wtfmbjvy [https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/wtfmbjvy] “Haunted By a Dark Spirit” by Redditor MikanKitsune94: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/4bdh4b6d [https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/4bdh4b6d] “Aliens, Ghosts, and Holistic Healing” by Jack Fox-Williams for New Dawn Magazine: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/jcbretms [https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/jcbretms] “Moll Dyer Was a Witch” from OtherwordlyOracle.com: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/yhabf5vw [https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/yhabf5vw] =====(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 Darkness.=====Originally aired: June 27, 2021 EPISODE PAGE (includes sources): https://weirddarkness.com/AlienAbductionAftermath 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 #AlienAbduction #Paranormal #UFO #BettyAndBarneyHill #Extraterrestrial #Poltergeist #TrueParanormal #Unexplained #AlienContact

The Ypsilanti Ripper | The Clue He Left in His Uncle's House

He was studying to become an elementary school teacher — but he left evidence of something far darker in his uncle's basement. IN THIS EPISODE: A creepy video shows something that the one who recorded it never saw. (The Office Video) *** The "Ypsilanti Ripper" terrorized the college community for two years. We share the savage crimes of John Norman Collins. (Campus Terror) *** Alfred Packer was found guilty of a murder that he committed in the mountains of Colorado. But this just wasn’t any murder – Packer was charged with killing and eating his victims. (The Colorado Cannibal) *** A Native American hunting party tracks down a large hair-covered creature and finds a giant mound with bodies of 19 human children. The children had not only been kidnapped, they had also been consumed… by Sasquatch. (The Human-Bigfoot War of 1855) *** Within the UFO files of the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations that are held at the National Archives, there is a USAF document which is dated July 23, 1952. That document describes a UFO crash in the woods of Maryland. (The 1952 UFO Crash) *** Two Missouri teenagers and one teen’s mother vanished without a trace after a high school graduation ceremony and have never been seen again. (The Vanishing of the Springfield Three) *** Henry Kendall was found in a graveyard with a bullet hole between his eyes. How he met his fate may be a mystery, but his reason for being in the graveyard was certain, he was there to snatch a body. (A Grave-Robber’s Fate) *** Everything seems bigger when you are a child… even shadow people. (A Very Tall Man) *** Glowing eyes, flapping wings, 7-foot wingspans… what are these strange, frightening flying creatures being reported in Japan? (Weird Winged Monsters of Japan) CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)…00:00:00.000 = Lead-In 00:01:06.830 = Show Open 00:03:43.736 = Campus Terror 00:08:29.854 = Office Video 00:10:35.606 = Colorado Cannibal *** 00:39:30.372 = Winged Monsters of Japan *** 01:02:50.661 = The Human-Bigfoot War of 1855 *** 01:11:02.543 = A Grave-Robber’s Fate 01:14:06.532 = The 1952 UFO Crash 01:18:25.536 = The Very Tall Man 01:20:40.876 = Vanishing of the Springfield Three *** 01:28:12.844 = Show Close *** = Begins immediately after inserted ad break SOURCES and RESOURCES:“The Office Video” by Emily Maltas – submitted directly to WeirdDarkness.com “Campus Terror” by Orrin Grey: http://bit.ly/31ehfBF [http://bit.ly/31ehfBF] “The Colorado Cannibal” by Troy Taylor: http://bit.ly/2M1O5lB [http://bit.ly/2M1O5lB] “The Human-Bigfoot War of 1855” by Brent Swancer: http://bit.ly/2yTsLpS [http://bit.ly/2yTsLpS] “The 1952 UFO Crash” by Nick Redfern: http://bit.ly/2YTlxRn [http://bit.ly/2YTlxRn] “The Vanishing of the Springfield Three” by Troy Taylor: http://bit.ly/2KKYU8W [http://bit.ly/2KKYU8W] “A Grave-Robber's Fate” by Michael Wilhelm: http://bit.ly/33pFPS6 [http://bit.ly/33pFPS6] “Weird Winged Monsters of Japan” by Brent Swancer: http://bit.ly/2YWhfVp [http://bit.ly/2YWhfVp] “The Very Tall Man” by Anthony Mask, submitted to WeirdDarkness.com: http://bit.ly/2MTbZPT [http://bit.ly/2MTbZPT] =====(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 Darkness.=====Originally aired: June 06, 2021 EPISODE PAGE (includes sources): https://weirddarkness.com/YpsilantiRipper 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, #SerialKiller, #YpsilantiRipper, #MichiganMurders, #ColdCase, #TrueCrimeDocumentary, #JohnNormanCollins, #UnsolvedMysteries, #CriminalPsychology

The Sodder Children | They Vanished in a Fire But No Bodies Were Ever Found

The phone lines were cut, the ladder was stolen, the trucks wouldn't start — and by morning, five children had vanished without a trace. IN THIS EPISODE: One of the most haunting mysteries to ever occur in West Virginia – and perhaps even in America – began during the predawn hours of December 25, 1945. The fire that occurred at the Sodder home that night was the key to the mystery, but whether it was a vanishing, a kidnapping, or a mass murder has never been determined. *** Plus, even though a young man was tried, convicted, and died in prison for the murder – along with two others – there are many who believe that Suzanne Degnan’s murder was never actually solved. And that may be the reason that Suzanne’s spirit has never rested in peace.  CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)… 00:00:00.000 = Show Open 00:01:35.682 = The Christmas Disappearance of the Sodder Children, Part 1 00:15:30.498 = The Christmas Disappearance of the Sodder Children Part 2 *** 00:32:47.039 = Waite For Word: The Bloody Murder and Ghost of Suzanne Degnan, Part 1 *** 01:04:08.345 = Waite For Word: The Bloody Murder and Ghost of Suzanne Degnan, Part 2 *** 01:25:48.050 = Show Close *** = Begins immediately after inserted ad break SOURCES and RESOURCES:“1945: The Missing Children” (The Christmas Disappearance of the Sodder Children) and “1946: Waite For Word” (The Bloody Murder and Ghost of Suzanne Degnan) written by Troy Taylor from the book “Suffer the Children: American Horrors, Homicides and Hauntings”: https://amzn.to/3SszFMA [https://amzn.to/3SszFMA] =====(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 Darkness.=====Originally aired: December 28, 2017 EPISODE PAGE (includes sources): https://weirddarkness.com/SodderChildren 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 #UnsolvedMysteries #TrueCrime #ColdCase #MissingChildren #MysteryStory #TrueCrimeCommunity #UnexplainedMysteries #CrimePodcast #DarkHistory

He Was Ordered to Find a Killer… But It Was Him They Were Looking For | The Big Clock

When a powerful publisher murders his mistress, he orders his best editor to hunt down the mystery man seen with her that night — not realizing he's just asked the man to lead the investigation against himself. | “The Big Clock” from Lux Radio Theater | #RetroRadio EP0573 CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)… 00:00:00.000 = Show Open 00:01:30.028 = CBS Radio Mystery Theater, “A Study In Scarlet” (March 25, 1977) ***WD 00:45:44.171 = Lux Radio Theater, “The Big Clock” (November 22, 1948) 01:45:06.383 = Philip Marlowe, “Strangle Hold” (October 15, 1949) ***WD 02:15:09.198 = Let George Do It, “Ghost On Bliss Terrace” (August 16, 1948) ***WD 02:44:50.288 = The Black Mass, “An Evening’s Entertainment” (October 31, 1964) 03:15:53.968 = Beyond Midnight, “Cassius Touch” (December 15, 1948) ***WD 04:09:26.043 = Mindwebs, “The Bible After the Apocalypse” (mid 1970s) 04:38:33.642 = Somebody Knows, “The Unsolved Murder of Samuel I. Paris” (August 10, 1950) 05:07:20.952 = 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/WDRR0573

Did This Family Know Their Missing Son Was Never Coming Back? | Nicholas Barclay

When a grieving family accepted an obvious imposter as their missing son, investigators started asking a darker question: did they already know their real son was dead? My in-depth article about the Nicholas Barclay case: https://weirddarkness.com/nicholas-barclay/ [https://weirddarkness.com/nicholas-barclay/] IN THIS EPISODE: The true story of Nicholas Barclay reads more like a work of fiction. A child goes missing and against all odds is found a few years later across the world. But what would happen next no one could even believe. (The Unbelievable Case of Nicholas Barclay) *** The most detailed description of a lake monster in recent history is one from Lake Okanagan – and it’s a story you likely have never heard. (Ogling Ogopogo) *** “However frightening they look at first, they are not demonic, and they do not seriously injure people or spread plague; on the contrary, they long for forgiveness and peace, but being unable to take any initiative themselves must wait for a living man to ask what the trouble is, and offer help; they can then confess, be absolved, and find rest through Masses and prayers offered on their behalf.” A quote about the ghosts of Byland Abbey. (The Ghosts of Byland Abbey) *** Sixty years after the Hills said they encountered extraterrestrials, their story still packs a punch. It’s a case that is all about firsts and it changed the world. (The Hills’ Out Of This World Honeymoon) CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)… 00:00:00.000 = Show Open 00:02:03.047 = The Unbelievable Case of Nicholas Barclay 00:17:08.344 = *** Ogling Ogopogo 00:27:08.296 = *** The Hills’ Out Of This World Honeymoon 00:50:54.519 = ***The Ghosts of Byland Abbey 01:03:08.083 = Show Close *** = Begins immediately after inserted ad break SOURCES and RESOURCES:“The Unbelievable Case of Nicholas Barclay” by CrystalDawn for Lost N Found Blogs:https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/caxwhm9k [https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/caxwhm9k] “Ogling Ogopogo” by Malcolm Smith: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2thwc4rp [https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2thwc4rp] “The Ghosts of Byland Abbey” posted at Medievalists.net: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/fyeu2b72 [https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/fyeu2b72] “The Hills’ Out Of This World Honeymoon” by Bryce Zabel for Medium.com: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/ks7zphfw [https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/ks7zphfw] EPISODE: “Alien Abduction of Betty And Barney Hill”: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/3cc6pny8 [https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/3cc6pny8] VIDEO: Barney Hill appears on “To Tell The Truth” TV show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhZ24yUpXSM [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhZ24yUpXSM]=====(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 Darkness.=====Originally aired: June 03, 2021 EPISODE PAGE (includes sources): https://weirddarkness.com/NicholasBarclay 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. #NicholasBarclay #TheImposter #TrueCrime #MissingPerson #UnsolvedMystery #ColdCase #FredericBourdin #IdentityTheft #TrueCrimeDocumentary #WeirdDarkness