Solved Murders - True Crime Stories - Terrifying Nights 9 Hours of Scary Stories

Episode Date: December 24, 2025

#horrorstories #reddithorrorstories #ScaryStories #nosleep #paranormal #creepy #TerrifyingNights #HauntedWhispers #MidnightTerror #DarknessAwaits “Terrifying Nights: 9 Hours of Scary Stories” is a...n immersive journey into fear itself — a haunting marathon of true and fictional horrors that keep you awake long after the lights go out. From eerie voices whispering in the dark to encounters with the unexplainable, each tale pulls you deeper into a world where nightmares feel real. Expect psychological dread, paranormal mysteries, and a relentless tension that grows with every minute. horrorstories, reddithorrorstories, scarystories, horrorstory, creepypasta, horrortales, terrifyingnights, darktales, hauntedstories, ghostencounters, psychologicalhorror, midnightfear, spookycollection, supernaturalhorror, eeriechronicles, chillingmoments, truehorrors, scarycompilation, darkanthology, nightmareseries

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Starting point is 00:00:00 This story begins in 1804 with the birth of a young man named William Carter in Postwick, Suffolk. William was one of the children of a wealthy farmer and his wife, and he had everything a boy could want. He was intelligent, eloquent, and had a sharp mind. However, he also had a love for mischief, lying, cheating, and stealing. He had a particular weakness for women, especially those he couldn't have, engaged women, married women, and even pregnant women. William had a knack for getting their attention and making many of them his lovers. As time passed, William became more and more cunning. He even betrayed his own family on multiple occasions.
Starting point is 00:00:38 He was rumored to have forged checks in his father's name and had a habit of stealing animals from neighboring farms. He would jump over fences, steal the animals, and then sell them at the market. On one occasion, he even stole pigs from his own family and sold them to keep all the money for himself. Because of all his wrongdoings, the people of the village nicknamed him, Foxy, and no one trusted him. Some sources suggest that William didn't want the life he had. He dreamed of becoming a teacher or a journalist, but his father didn't support his ambitions. He didn't want to pay
Starting point is 00:01:09 for his education or let him leave the farm. So, William continued to lie in steel, and at one point, his family packed his bags and sent him to London to find an honest job. They thought if he didn't want to work on the farm, at least he could find something else to do, something that didn't require formal education. But once in London, William continued his life of crime and did whatever he wanted. Now, let's shift our attention to the woman who, according to rumors, was the great love of William's life, Mary Martin. Mary was born on July 24, 1801, in Suffolk, the daughter of a mole-catcher and his first wife. When Mary was nine years old, her mother died, and her father remarried to a woman named in Martin, who was apparently younger than him. Mary was known
Starting point is 00:01:53 for her beauty and intelligence. It was said that she had some education, knowing how to read and write, which was quite rare for women at the time. She stood out among other women because of her beauty, wit, and ability to hold a conversation. Men of that era were crazy about her. According to one journalist from the time, she had an excellent memory and a mind eager to acquire useful knowledge. There were many reasons to believe that if she had received proper education, she would have been an accomplished woman. However, there was one striking thing about Mary, she had a reputation for being easily won over by men. She would fall in love quickly, and when she did, she gave herself completely to the man. Because of this, she found
Starting point is 00:02:33 herself pregnant several times as a teenager. She had many suitors, including the brothers William and Thomas Carter. William, as we know, was younger than her, while Thomas was older, and Mary was drawn to him. He knew how to treat women and was skilled at courting them. Mary fell madly in love with him and believed everything, he said. At one point, she became pregnant by him. However, when she told him what had happened, not only did he refuse to marry her, but he also packed his bags and disappeared. Mary was left to face not only the judgment of others, but also a miscarriage, which many believed affected her deeply. Years later, at the age of 24, Mary started secretly seeing a landowner named Peter Matthews.
Starting point is 00:03:15 The story repeated itself. Peter told her he loved her and that he wanted to marry her, and Mary once again gave herself fully to him. This relationship led to another pregnancy, but this time, the pregnancy went full term, and she gave birth to a son, Thomas Henry. But after the child was born, Peter vanished. However, unlike the other men in her life, he didn't completely abandon her. He sent her a substantial allowance to ensure she didn't lack anything for herself and the child. At this point, Mary's reputation had suffered. She had been pregnant twice out of wedlock, and even though she was still beautiful and intelligent, no respectable man wanted to marry her.
Starting point is 00:03:54 In this context, William Corder reappears in her life. While in London, William received a letter from his parents asking him to return home because his older brother, Thomas, had died in an accident. The story went that Thomas had been walking across a frozen pond when the ice gave way beneath him, and he drowned. William reluctantly returned home, where several other misfortunes awaited him. His father passed away, his mother grew weak, and two of his siblings fell ill with tuberculosis. As a result, William was the only one left to work the farm. He took charge of the animals, selling them, raising them, and managing the business, which was now solely his. He stood to make a lot of money from it.
Starting point is 00:04:34 At this time, he crossed paths with Mary once again. Remembering the past, we recall that William and Thomas had both been in love with Mary, but it was Thomas who had won her heart. Now, without Thomas and Peter, William had a clear path to court her. He began to woo her, treating her kindly, and Mary once again fell for him. She became pregnant, and William promised that he would marry her. He even talked to his parents about the situation, promising that he would marry Mary. However, for her sake, he asked that the pregnancy remain a secret.
Starting point is 00:05:06 They agreed that no one, not even the neighbors, should know about it. When Mary gave birth, the baby died, and William, Mary, and her stepmother, Anne, gathered together at the Martin house. They wrapped the baby in a cloth, prayed, and then William took the tiny body to bury it. Now, two options lay before William. The first was to abandon Mary. She was no longer pregnant, and the child was dead, but marrying her would mean facing her tarnished reputation, which could hurt his business.
Starting point is 00:05:35 The second option was to marry her, and despite all the difficulties, William chose the second option. He promised Mary's family that he would marry her, but soon after, he learned something that could put his life in danger. The village constable had heard that Mary was pregnant again, and this third child would be another illegitimate one, something that was illegal at the time. Given her past, it was possible that Mary could be punished severely, including being publicly whipped, or even worse. In early 1827, William came up with a plan. He proposed that he and Mary should run away together. He suggested they meet in the red barn, a barn located 800 meters from the Martin House. There, they would change clothes and leave for Ipswich, where they would get married
Starting point is 00:06:17 and start a new life. The original date for their departure was set for Wednesday, May 16, but for some reason, William postponed it until Thursday, May 17th. On Thursday, he postponed it again to Friday. By the time Friday morning arrived, William went to the Martin House and demanded that Mary get dressed as soon as possible. He told her that he had heard the constable would arrest her that very day. William insisted that they leave immediately, and so, he forced Mary to wear men's clothing, a vest, a hat, a pair of trousers, and a green scarf, and to run toward the red barn. He left the house, and a few minutes later, Mary followed. That was the last time anyone saw Mary alive. Weeks passed, and no one heard from the couple. Out of nowhere, the Martin
Starting point is 00:07:02 family began receiving letters from the lovers. The first letter was from William, who claimed that they were very happy and had indeed gone to Ipswich, where they had married and were now living a wonderful life. But he explained that they couldn't return just yet because Mary was nervous about the potential backlash from the neighbors. Her anxiety kept her from wanting to come back. This strange letter raised suspicions, and Mary's family wrote back, urging them to return. William responded, claiming that Mary was too ill to write herself and that they would return
Starting point is 00:07:31 when she was feeling better. Time passed, but Mary never wrote, and so, the family sent another letter. This time, William wrote back claiming that Mary had actually written a letter, but the post office had lost it. He reassured them that everything was fine and that Mary would write when she was feeling better. At this point, Mary's stepmother, Anne, began having strange dreams. Every night, she would go to bed with a nagging feeling, and in April of 1828, she had vivid dreams of Mary's ghost. In these dreams, dreams, Mary appeared at the foot of her bed and told her she was dead. She claimed that the love of her life, William, had killed her and that her body was buried
Starting point is 00:08:09 in the Red Barn, and was terrified, unable to sleep without fear of seeing Mary's ghost again. On the morning of April 19, unable to bear it any longer, she begged her husband to go to the Red Barn with a shovel to dig up the ground and see if the dream was true. At first, her husband refused, but seeing her desperation, he reluctantly agreed. After some time of digging, he found a sack buried beneath the earth. When he pulled it out, he discovered the decomposed body of a woman. At first, the body was nearly unrecognizable, but the clothing matched what Mary had worn the last time she was seen alive, men's clothes and a green scarf.
Starting point is 00:08:46 It was clear that this was Mary. Experts who examined the body found strange evidence. There was a deep hole in one of the eyes, possibly from a bullet, and there were cuts on various parts of the body. The scarf around her neck was very tight, suggesting that she had been strangled. All the evidence pointed to one person, William Corder. The authorities immediately arrested him. They brought him to trial, where the jury unanimously convicted him of murder.
Starting point is 00:09:13 William was sentenced to death by hanging, and on August 11, 1828, he was executed in front of a large crowd. He had never admitted to the crime, even at the end. The body of Mary Martin was exhumed and publicly displayed, which was an unusual punishment at the time. Her death caused shockwaves through the community, and her name would be remembered for years to come. William Carter's story became one of the most infamous criminal cases in history, and he would forever be remembered as a killer who took the life of a woman who had loved him. In the heart of an ancient forest, where the trees whispered secrets older
Starting point is 00:09:46 than the stars, a village thrived in quiet harmony. This was to Lindra, a place where magic coursed through the veins of the earth like an unseen river. The villagers lived simple lives, their dazed marked by the rhythms of the sun and moon, yet their destinies were inextricably bound to the mystical forces that surrounded them. Among the villagers was Ira, a young woman whose curiosity often led her to the forest's edge. She was a tamer of whispers, as her grandmother called her, for she had a knack for understanding the subtle murmurs of the woods. Ira's hair, the color of autumn leaves, and her piercing green eyes made her stand out, but it was her adventurous spirit that truly set her apart. One fateful morning, as dawn
Starting point is 00:10:24 painted the sky with hues of amber and rose, Ira ventured deeper into the forest than she ever had before. Guided by a melody that seemed to float on the wind, she found herself standing before a towering oak with a hollow at its base. Inside the hollow rested a glowing crystal, pulsing with a light that mirrored the rhythm of her heartbeat. Ira reached out, her fingers grazing the crystal's surface. A surge of energy coursed through her, and in that moment, the world seemed to shift. The forest grew silent, the whispers replaced by a profound. stillness. The crystal, now cooled to the touch, dimmed slightly but remained in her hand.
Starting point is 00:11:01 It was then that she noticed the presence of another. You have awakened it, said a voice as smooth as flowing water. Ira turned to see a figure cloaked in shadows. Despite the obscurity, she could make out the glint of silver eyes and a faint aura that shimmered like moonlight. Awakened what? Ira asked, her voice steadied despite the unease prickling her skin. The heart of Illoria, the figure replied.
Starting point is 00:11:25 A relic of immense power, tied to the balance of this world. And now, its fate and yours, are intertwined. Before Ira could respond, the figure vanished, leaving behind an air of mystery and a thousand unanswered questions. In the days that followed, Ira discovered that the crystal, the heart of Illoria, had bonded with her. It amplified her connection to the forest, allowing her to hear its whispers with startling clarity. But it also came with visions, fleeting images of a looming darkness threatening to engulf the land.
Starting point is 00:11:56 Determined to uncover the truth, Ira sought the wisdom of her grandmother, Leara, the village's elder and keeper of ancient lore. Leara's eyes widened when she saw the crystal. The heart has chosen you, she said, her voice tinged with both awe and worry. But such power is a beacon. Others will come for it, and for you. Leara revealed that the heart of Eloria was one of seven relics created by the ancient druids to safeguard the world. Each relic held a fragment of their immense power, ensuring the balance
Starting point is 00:12:24 between light and shadow. But centuries ago, the relics had been scattered to prevent their misuse. Now, with the heart reawakened, the balance was shifting. You must find the others, Leara urged. Only then can the relic's full power be restored to protect our world. Ira's journey began the next day. Armed with her courage, a satchel of provisions, and a map marked with her grandmother's guidance, she ventured beyond the safety of Tilindra. Her first destination was the misty veil, a region shrouded in perpetual fog where another relic was said to lie. The road was treacherous, but Ira found unexpected allies along the way. First was Kale, a wandering swordsman with a past as shadowy as the forests they traversed. His skill with a blade
Starting point is 00:13:08 was unmatched, and his wry humor often lightened the weight of their quest. Then there was Silris, an enigmatic mage who seemed to know more about the relics than he let on. His magical prowess was a boon, though his motives remained a mystery. As they journeyed together, Ira learned the importance of trust and the strength found in unity. The trio faced countless trials, ambushes by bandits, the perils of crossing the frostfire peaks, and the lure of an enchanted lake that nearly claimed their lives. Yet with each challenge, their bond deepened, and Ira's understanding of her role grew. In the misty veil, they encountered the guardian.
Starting point is 00:13:42 of echoes, a spectral being tasked with protecting the relic hidden within. The Guardian tested their resolve with illusions that preyed on their deepest fears. Ira's trial was the most harrowing, as she confronted a vision of her village consumed by darkness, her loved ones calling out for help she could not provide. But Ira's determination proved unyielding. She saw through the illusion, her connection to the heart of Illoria shining like a beacon. The Guardian, impressed by her resilience, relinquished the relic, a pendant imbued with the power of foresight. With two relics in their possession, Ira and her companions pressed on, aware that
Starting point is 00:14:17 their quest was far from over. Shadows stirred on the edges of their journey, and whispers of a dark force-gathering strength reached their ears. The relics, while powerful, were also a lure for those who sought to use their magic for nefarious purposes. As they traveled to their next destination, Ira reflected on how much she had changed. She was no longer the curious girl who wandered the forest, she was a guardian of ancient power, a beacon of hope in a world. old teetering on the brink of chaos. Yet, she knew the path ahead would test her in ways she could not yet imagine. Their journey would take them to the ruins of Veltris, the desert of whispers, and beyond. Each step brought them closer to the truth of the relics and the
Starting point is 00:14:56 forces that sought to claim them. And as the stakes grew higher, so did Ira's resolve. She would not falter, for she carried not just the heart of Illoria but the hopes of all who believed in a brighter future. The whispers of the forest had led her to this destiny, and Ira vowed to see it through, no matter the cost. And so, according to Juan, the final stop, the 12th one, lasted about 20 seconds. It's believed that someone stepped out of the other vehicle, forcibly took the child, and handed something over to Andres. Maybe it was drugs, or something else, with the condition that the boy would be returned once the package was delivered to a specific location. Let's start from the beginning. This story kicks off just after
Starting point is 00:15:37 6 a.m. on June 25, 1986, in Somaciera, Spain. A tanker truck carrying over 20,000 liters of oleum, a type of sulfuric acid, lost control and veered off the National One Highway. It was speeding downhill at 120 kilometers per hour, far exceeding the 90 kilometers per hour limit. Other drivers couldn't understand why the truck's driver was taking such a dangerous descent without breaking at all. It seemed suicidal. Then came the moment of catastrophe. The tanker suddenly encountered three other trucks ahead. Instead of slowing down or proceeding cautiously, it attempted an overtake at a blind spot. That's when disaster struck, a head-on collision with another truck barreling toward it. This resulted in a horrific accident
Starting point is 00:16:22 involving five trucks, with the tanker and its accompanying vehicle at the center of the chaos. Despite the magnitude of the collision, there were only two fatalities, the tanker's driver and his passenger. Soon after the accident, panic ensued. A massive crowd gathered around the vehicle, shouting and crying. This wasn't just any accident, the tanker carried sulfuric acid, which was now spilling everywhere. The corrosive liquid began eating through the mountain sides and flowed toward the Duriton River. The environmental stakes were high, if the acid reached the river, it would contaminate the water. The Civil Guard quickly arrived, cordoned off the area, and got to work containing
Starting point is 00:17:01 the spill. Meanwhile, rescue teams pulled the two bodies from the wreckage and identified them as Andres Martinez Navarro and Carmen Gomez Lagas. A few hours later, the authorities informed their families of the tragic news. That's when Carmen's mother uttered something that puzzled everyone, please, tell me my grandson is okay. The officers were taken aback. What grandson? Inside the tanker, only two bodies were found. There was no sign of a child. That simple question opened the door to one of the most perplexing mysteries in Spanish history, the case of the Somaciera boy. Backstory, his last journey. To piece together this mystery, let's rewind a couple of months before the crash. Andres Martinez Navarro, aged 36, was a season truck driver who'd spent half his life on the road.
Starting point is 00:17:48 His driving record was spotless, his employers valued him, and he always adhered to route schedules and rest breaks. In April 1986, Andres invested heavily in his truck, a secondhand Volvo tanker, which he bought on installment for 5 million pacedas. He spent an additional 700,000 and Pesettas refurbishing it, focusing on the gearbox and brakes. This would later prove to be critical information. Andres was married to Carmen Gomez-Legas, 34, a homemaker, and they had a single child, nine-year-old Juan Pedro Martinez Gomez. By all accounts, Juan Pedro was a remarkable kid. He was smart, responsible, polite, and excelled in school. He loved to travel and was fascinated by his father's work. He'd always begged to join
Starting point is 00:18:33 Andres on his routes, especially those heading north. That June, with school out and won Pedro's stellar grades, Andres decided to reward him. Andres have been hired to transport 23,000 liters of sulfuric acid to a petrochemical company in Bilbao. It was a work trip, but Andres planned to turn it into a mini vacation. The plan was to deliver the cargo and then enjoy a few days exploring Bilbao as a family. The journey begins. The family lived in Canova's, a village near Fuente Alamo in Mercia. They set out on June 24, 1986. Andres loaded the tanker at a gas station in Cartagena, then returned home to pack. By 7 p.m., the family was on the road. Their itinerary included several scheduled stops. At 9 p.m., they had dinner at Venta del
Starting point is 00:19:21 Alevo in Ciazza. Around midnight, they took a break at a gas station in Los Padroneras, Quenka. By 3 a.m., they reached Los Angeles gas station near Madrid, where they rested for about an hour. At 4.13 a.m., they resumed their journey. Shortly after, they stopped briefly in San Augustine de Guadolix to discuss breakfast plans. Around 5.20 a.m., they made their last confirmed stop at the Aragon Inn in Cabinius de la Sierra, at the base of the Somaciera pass. This stop is crucial because it's the last time Juan Pedro was seen alive. The last sighting, The Aragon Inn was a popular rest stop for truckers, offering parking, a small diner, and nearby gas pumps. Felipe Alambra, the waiter on duty, vividly remembered the family.
Starting point is 00:20:07 They arrived around 5.30 a.m. Andres ordered a black coffee, Carmen a coffee with milk, and Juan Pedro had milk with a bayoniza, a type of pastry. Alambra noted that the boy was dressed entirely in red and that it was unusual to see a family traveling in a tanker truck. They stayed for about 20 minutes before leaving. A Lambert glanced out the window as they drove off and saw the tanker pulling away. Everything seemed normal, until it wasn't. Twelve stops to disaster. After leaving the Aragon in, things got strange.
Starting point is 00:20:37 The truck's tachograph, a device that record speed and stops, revealed 12 unexplained stops during the ascent up the Somersiera Pass. The road was clear, the weather fine, and there was no logical reason for such frequent halts. Each stop lasted only two to three seconds, except for the final one, which lasted a full 20 seconds. Transport experts were baffled. Even season drivers couldn't explain why a loaded tanker would stop so often on such a short stretch. Some theorized that the stops might reflect double clutching or gear adjustments,
Starting point is 00:21:09 but these actions wouldn't register as full stops on a tachograph. Something unusual was happening. At 6.40 a.m., disaster struck. The truck, now descending the Somersiera Pass, inexplicably accelerated. It reached a reckless speed of one. 120 kilometers per hour on a road filled with sharp curves. Witnesses reported that Andrace didn't even try to break. Instead, he attempted a dangerous overtake and collided head-on with another truck.
Starting point is 00:21:36 The crash was catastrophic. The tanker's cabin was crushed, and the sulfuric acid spilled everywhere, causing environmental havoc. Andrace and Carmen were killed instantly. But Juan Pedro. He was nowhere to be found. Where was Juan Pedro? Investigators found no trace of the boy inside the wreckage.
Starting point is 00:21:57 The cabin, where he'd supposedly been sitting, was so mangled that it seemed impossible for anyone to survive. Adding to the mystery, sulfuric acid is highly corrosive. Some suggested that the acid might have completely dissolved Juan Pedro's body. However, forensic experts later debunked this theory. Experiments showed that while sulfuric acid could destroy muscle and cartilage within 24 hours, it took 48 hours to dissolve bones completely. Juan Pedro wouldn't have been exposed long enough for his body to vanish entirely. Theories and speculation.
Starting point is 00:22:29 Over the years, countless theories have emerged to explain Juan Pedro's disappearance. Here are some of the most compelling. One, ejected from the truck. Some believe Juan Pedro was thrown from the truck during the crash. Perhaps he landed in nearby bushes or a ravine. But this theory falls apart when you consider the extensive searches conducted in the area. Police, rescue teams, and volunteers scoured every inch of the sight and found nothing. Two, he ran away.
Starting point is 00:22:56 Another idea is that Juan Pedro might have fled the scene. Maybe he argued with his parents and decided to run off. But this doesn't align with the facts. If he had escaped, why were his parents driving recklessly downhill at 120 kilometers per hour? Surely they would have stopped to look for him. Here's how those who knew the alleged killer described him, a quiet, shy young man with an intense interest in martial arts and video games. Some even suggested he bore a striking resemblance to the protagonist of a popular video game,
Starting point is 00:23:25 raising the possibility that he might have modeled his deadly actions after the game's narrative. It all began on the afternoon of Saturday, April 1, 2000, at around 5 p.m. The police were called to a house at 20, Santa Rosa Street in Santiago L. Mayor, a neighborhood in Mercia, Spain. They had received a bizarre call that prompted them to investigate. What they found inside was one of the most. horrifying crime scenes in Spain's history, three members of the same family had been brutally murdered with a katana and a machete. The house was soaked in blood, and the weapons were left behind. The eldest son of the family, however, was nowhere to be found. His image was quickly
Starting point is 00:24:04 disseminated across media outlets, appearing on television, posters, and newspapers. It would take several days before anyone managed to locate him, marking the beginning of the infamous Catana Killer, Case. Jose Robidon Pardo, born on December 26, 1983, was the first child of Mercedes Pardo, 54, and Raphael Robidon, 51. The family was middle class and well-regarded in their neighborhood as friendly and hardworking. From an early age, Jose was known to be shy and introverted, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. He greeted neighbors with a smile, didn't stay out late, and rarely drank alcohol.
Starting point is 00:24:42 Although he had recently taken up smoking, it wasn't. something he did often. Jose's academic performance was unremarkable, but he had a passion for computers, video games, and martial arts, interests that would later take on an ominous significance. When Jose was eight years old, his younger sister, Maria Mercedes, was born. She had Down syndrome, which some sources say created tension in the family. Some accounts claim that Raphael saw his daughter's condition as a divine punishment, while others described the family as accepting and normal. Regardless, neighbors and relatives recalled that both children were doted upon. Whatever they wanted, their parents provided. At the age of 10, Jose expressed an interest
Starting point is 00:25:22 in martial arts, and his father readily agreed. Thanks to Raphael's job as a truck driver, the family's financial situation was stable. They ensured that their children never lacked anything. Jose had the latest computer, a fast internet connection, a PlayStation, gym memberships, weekly pocket money, and a peculiar collection of items like machetes, ninja stars, and brass knuckles. However, he never used these weapons and was known to be peaceful and mild-mannered. In late 1999, José asked his father for a Japanese katana, despite his mother's firm opposition to the idea. Mercedes disapproved of Jose's collection, finding it unsettling.
Starting point is 00:26:01 However, Raphael, seeing no harm in indulging his son's request, bought the katana. Jose was well-behaved, tidy, and responsible, so his father didn't think twice. Notably, both parents tended to spoil their children. Mercedes, for instance, often allowed Jose to have dinner alone in his room so he could keep playing games or chatting with friends online. She would even prepare his meals and deliver them to his room. Moreover, she hid the skyrocketing phone bills, which had reached 100,000 pesetas, from her husband.
Starting point is 00:26:32 Jose's obsession with gaming and online chatting had turned into a financial. financial burden. Despite this, there were no apparent issues. Jose and his sister were polite and responsible. However, things began to change dramatically. Seemingly overnight, Jose lost interest in school, started failing his classes, and eventually dropped out during the 1999-2,000 school year. His father, concerned, enrolled him in a vocational welding program, which Jose loathed. Feeling trapped and unmotivated, he began to fantasize about escaping in starting anew. knew. A few weeks before the murders, Jose meticulously planned his actions. His motives were
Starting point is 00:27:11 not rooted in hatred or revenge against his family. Instead, he viewed them as obstacles to his freedom, a belief that without them, he could truly be free. On the night of March 31st, Jose acted as though everything was normal. After eating dinner his mother had prepared and brought to his room, he gamed and chatted online before going to bed. Clutching his Katana, he lay awake for hours, envisioning the perfect crime. When the first rays of sunlight pierced the clouds at 6.30 a.m. on April 1st, he rose from bed, katana in hand, and entered his parents' room. Jose first attacked his father, delivering 13 blows, two to the head and the rest to the
Starting point is 00:27:49 neck and chest. Raphael attempted to defend himself but sustained multiple injuries, including the amputation of several fingers. Once his father was dead, Jose moved to his sister's room, where he encountered his mother. Upon seeing her blood-soaked son wielding a katana, Mercedes screamed and tried to wake Raphael. Realizing her husband was already dead, she turned to Jose, but he struck her until the katana broke. José then retrieved the machete from his room to finish the job. After the killings, Jose methodically cleaned himself, changed clothes, and tried to conceal the crime scene.
Starting point is 00:28:23 He placed plastic bags over the victim's heads to contain any smell and carried their bodies to the bathroom. He filled the bathtub with water and submerged his sister's body, believing this would slow decomposition and prevent odors from spreading. He left his father's body near the bathroom, as it was too heavy to move. He then put on fresh clothes over his blood-stained underwear, grabbed his phone, 15,000 Pissetas, and left the house, leaving the door unlocked. He had no intention of ever returning. Once outside, Jose did something astonishing, he called the police.
Starting point is 00:28:55 He briefly told them what had happened before hanging up. he set out on a journey to Barcelona to meet Sonia, a girl he had met online. Sonia lived in Barcelona, and Jose was infatuated with her. Some sources claim they were just friends, while others suggest they were romantically involved. Either way, he was desperate to impress her, boasting about his martial arts skills, his collection of weapons, and his adventurous spirit. Jose hitched his way out of Mercia. Along the way, he called Sonia multiple times, confessing to the murders, though she didn't believe him.
Starting point is 00:29:29 Several drivers gave Jose a ride during his journey, including a car salesman, an Italian truck driver, and Annamaria Acosta, an off-duty municipal agent. Anna Maria found Jose's behavior peculiar. Though polite and well-dressed, he seemed nervous and distant. She assumed he was just a teenager returning from a wild night out. After dropping him off in Alicante, Jose wandered aimlessly until he met Oliver Jimenez. Oliver, a boy of Jose's age, came from a troubled background. Living in a shack with his grandmother, Oliver's father was in prison, and his mother was in a psychiatric hospital.
Starting point is 00:30:05 When Jose asked for directions to the train station, Oliver immediately offered to help. The two quickly bonded, spending the next two days together. Jose confessed to Oliver that he had killed someone, even showing him his bloodstained shirt. Oliver, seeing Jose as a kindred spirit, decided to help him. He built a fire to burn the evidence and became Jose's close companion. The boys continued their journey, calling Sonia frequently from public payphones. Sonia introduced them to her friend Sheila, who got along well with Oliver. However, Sonia eventually told Sheila about Jose's crime, and Sheila contacted the police.
Starting point is 00:30:42 Meanwhile, the investigation in Mercia was in full swing. The police had discovered the crime scene on April 1st and were baffled by the brutality. Neighbors described the family as normal and Jose as quiet, making the crime even more shocking. Media coverage sensationalized the case. Reports exaggerated Jose's interest in weapons and satanic literature. Two books found in his collection, Ave Lucifer and the Power of Magic, fueled speculation that he was part of a satanic cult. His online alias, Odom, Fear, spelled backward, only added to the hysteria.
Starting point is 00:31:17 The press also highlighted his fascination with the video game Final Fantasy 8, drawing parallels between Jose and the, this story begins with two brothers from a small village in Spain who on the night of Sunday, August 26, 1990, decided to embark on a hunt. However, this was no ordinary hunting trip. Rather than hunting wild animals like rabbits or birds, they intended to hunt human beings. The village they came from, Portoararaco, was a small rural community with a population of just 100 people, a place where everyone knew each other and many were related by blood. But the brothers' motives for what would become a horrific event were rooted in a deep-seated
Starting point is 00:31:53 family feud that had been simmering for generations. The origins of this deadly rivalry trace back to the 19th century, although there are no definitive records to confirm this. What we do know is that Porta O'Raco was a tight-knit village, isolated from the surrounding areas by a few kilometers of rugged terrain. The population in Puerto Araco was always small, around 75 people in the colder months and slightly more in the summer. The small size of the village meant that everyone was familiar with one another, and it wasn't uncommon for families to be intertwined through relationships spanning generations. These close connections extended beyond family, as many of the villagers worked the land, raising olive trees, pigs, and sheep. However, two families, the Cabinius and the Ischirdo, stood out for their rivalry, one that
Starting point is 00:32:38 had been ongoing for decades. This rivalry wasn't just about land or resources, it was deeply personal. The two families constantly clashed over territorial disputes, with accusations and insults exchanged frequently. But in the 1960s, there seemed to be a temporary truth. when two members of these feuding families, Luciana Isquiredo and Amadeo Cabinius, reportedly fell in love. However, there are conflicting stories about the nature of their relationship.
Starting point is 00:33:06 One version suggests that Luciana, who was ten years older than Amadeo, pursued him relentlessly, but he never returned her affections. Another version claims they were deeply in love, but just weeks before their wedding, Amadeo suddenly called it off. The most widely accepted version, however, is that they were indeed a couple, but their relationship fell apart when Amadeo, in a moment of frustration, crossed into Isquierdo family land with his plow. This act sparked a violent confrontation, and after a series of arguments and threats, Amadeo ended things with Luciana, breaking her heart. This heartbreak led Luciana's brother, Geronimo Isquierdo, to take matters into his own hands.
Starting point is 00:33:44 On January 22, 1967, in a fit of rage and revenge, Geronimo went to Amadeo's home and murdered him with a knife. Amadeo's last words were to reveal that Geronimo was his killer. The crime sent shockwaves through the small village, and Geronimo was quickly arrested and sentenced to 27 years in prison. However, he only served 14 years before being released. After his release, tensions between the two families escalated once again, and the Isquiredo family, feeling ostracized by the village, was forced to leave Porto-Iraucco. They moved to a small house in Monterebio de la Serena, a town 12 kilometers away, where they
Starting point is 00:34:21 lived in isolation. But the troubles for the Isquierdo family didn't end there. On October 18th, an accidental fire claimed the life of their mother, Isabel Isquiredo. Some believed it was an accident, but other suspected foul play. The Isquiredo family believed that the fire was deliberately set by the Cabinius family, particularly by Antonio, the brother of the late Amadeo. They also believed that the entire village was complicit in the act, as no one came to help them during the fire, and the authorities seemed to brush off the incident. The conspiracy theories surrounding the fire were fueled by the fact that the police didn't investigate the matter further, which deepened the Isquiredo family's mistrust of everyone
Starting point is 00:35:01 around them. As a result, the Isquiredo family began to isolate themselves even further, convinced that the world was out to get them. The more time passed, the more paranoid they became. Luciana and her sister Angela became increasingly erratic, and their behavior grew more and more bizarre. They believed that the entire village was conspiring against them, poisoning their water, spying on them, and sabotaging their lives in every possible way. This led them to become obsessed with the idea of revenge, with Luciana and Angela,
Starting point is 00:35:31 urging their two remaining brothers, Emilio and Antonio, to take action. Emilio and Antonio, now in their 50s, had long been raised in this toxic atmosphere of hatred and suspicion. They were expert hunters, and on the night of August 26, 1990, they set out to carry out their deadly plan. This was no ordinary hunting trip. The brothers were armed with two 12-gauge shotguns and over 200 rounds of ammunition. They set off towards Puerto Araco with one goal in mind, to take out as many of their neighbors as possible. They knew the rhythms of the village well, and when the evening came, they positioned themselves in a strategic location and began shooting. Their targets were clear, above all, they wanted
Starting point is 00:36:12 to eliminate the Cabanias family. At around 10.30 p.m., the brothers opened five. on two of Antonio Cabinius' daughters, both young teenagers. They were mercilessly gunned down in the street. The chaos spread as more shots rang out, hitting other members of the Cabinius family and even innocent bystanders. A young boy, Guillermo O'Heda, was shot in the head, while his sister, Elizabeth, threw herself over him to protect him. Their father, Andres O'Heda, was also shot as he tried to come to their aid.
Starting point is 00:36:42 The shooting continued as the brothers moved through the village, attacking anyone they came across. The small, peaceful community was in a state of panic as people scrambled to find shelter. As the night unfolded, the Ischirdo brothers showed no signs of stopping. They fired at cars trying to escape the village, killing two people and injuring others. Meanwhile, the local police were notified and sent a small patrol to investigate the situation. However, the officers were ambushed by the brothers, and although they survived, they were seriously injured. This prompted a larger law enforcement response, and the police began to take. take the situation more seriously. The next day, the brothers were still convinced they had
Starting point is 00:37:21 succeeded in their mission. They believed they had killed nearly 20 people, though in reality, they had killed nine and injured several others. But their thirst for vengeance didn't end there. They planned to continue their killing spree, waiting for the funerals to take place before emerging from hiding and finishing what they had started. But the authorities were hot on their trail. Over 200 police officers, supported by helicopters, conducted a massive manhunt to find the brothers. After several days, they were finally apprehended, caught hiding under an olive tree, exhausted and unaware of the approaching law enforcement. When they were caught, the Ischirdo brothers made chilling statements about their intentions. They declared
Starting point is 00:38:02 that they had acted out of revenge for the suffering they believed they had endured at the hands of the people of Porto-Iraucco. The brothers' words sent shockwaves through the country, and everyone was left stunned by the brutality of their actions. Luciana and Angela Ischierdo, who had been instrumental in inciting the violence, were soon arrested as well. The sisters, however, showed no remorse. They continued to maintain their belief that the entire village was guilty of plotting against their family. The trial that followed in 1994 was a spectacle of its own. The defendants were met with hostility and threats, and no lawyer wanted to represent them for fear of retribution from the public. The courtroom was tense, with the brothers
Starting point is 00:38:41 frequently losing their temper and lashing out during proceedings. The trial itself was a farce, and many people in the village of Porta O'Raco believed that the true masterminds behind the massacre were Luciana and Angela, not Emilio and Antonio. Luciana, known for her cold demeanor, was widely regarded as the true villain of the story, and people were outraged by her continued support for her brothers despite the carnage they had caused. In the end, the court was unable to prove the sister's involvement in the massacre, but the damage was done. The small village of Porta O'Raco would never be the same again.
Starting point is 00:39:13 The massacre in Porta O'Raco remains one of the most shocking and tragic events in Spain's history. It was a tale of vengeance, paranoia, and a long-brewing feud that turned deadly. The incident left an indelible mark on the community, and the repercussions of that fateful night are still felt today. The events that transpired in Porta O'Raco serve as a chilling reminder of how far hatred and resentment can push individuals to the brink of insanity, leading to unspeakable acts of violence. It was supposed to be a regular solo camping trip, just me, my gear, and the untamed wilderness. I'd done it a dozen times before, pitching my tent in the middle of nowhere, far from people, cell signal, and the chaos of everyday life. This time, though, something felt different.
Starting point is 00:39:58 Not at first, mind you. But soon enough, the forest revealed its darker side. The trip started like any other. I drove out early in the morning, the rising sun casting golden light over the quiet country side. The destination. A remote patch of forest tucked away from the main roads. It wasn't on any official map, I'd stumbled across it last year while hiking. Tall trees towered overhead, their leaves forming a green canopy that barely let the sunlight through. Perfect for solitude, I thought. I parked my car at the end of a dirt road and hiked in for about three miles,
Starting point is 00:40:33 the sound of crunching leaves and chirping birds keeping me company. The air smelled earthy, clean. It felt good to be away from the constant buzz of notifications and the pressure of city life. I found a flat clearing by a small creek and set up my tent. It was peaceful, almost too peaceful. By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, the forest had fallen into an eerie silence. I built a small fire and sat beside it, staring into the flames as they danced and crackled. Normally, I found this part calming. But that night, an unshakable feeling of being watched nod at me. I brushed it off as paranoia, after all, I was alone. Who would be out here? The first strange occurrence happened around midnight. I'd crawled into my
Starting point is 00:41:17 sleeping bag and was drifting off when I heard it, a faint rustling outside the tent. My heart thudded in my chest as I listened closely. Probably just a raccoon or some other small critter, I told myself. Still, I unzipped the tent just enough to peek out with my flashlight. The beam of light cut through the darkness, revealing, nothing. No glowing eyes, no movement. Just trees and shadows. I zipped the tent back up, but sleep didn't come easily. The rustling stopped, but the uneasy feeling lingered. The next day, I decided to explore the area. Maybe walking around would shake off the nerves. The forest was dense, with trails made more by wandering deer than people. As I ventured farther from my campsite, I stumbled upon something odd. In a
Starting point is 00:42:04 In small clearing, there were sticks arranged in strange patterns on the ground. Circles, triangles, and other shapes that didn't seem random. It looked deliberate, almost ritualistic. I laughed nervously, convincing myself it was just the work of some board hikers. Still, it creeped me out enough to turn back. When I returned to camp, things felt, off. My gear was untouched, but it was like the forest itself had shifted. The air felt heavier, the silence deeper.
Starting point is 00:42:33 the creek seemed quieter, as if the forest was holding its breath. That night, the rustling returned, louder this time. It sounded closer, circling the tent. My pulse quickened as I clutched the flashlight, too scared to unzip the tent this time. Whatever it was didn't seem like a small animal anymore. It moved deliberately, with heavy steps that stopped and started, almost like it wanted me to know it was there. I barely slept.
Starting point is 00:42:59 By morning, I was exhausted but determined to stick it out. I wasn't about to let some overactive imagination ruin my trip. But as I packed up some snacks for another hike, I noticed something that froze me in my tracks. Around the campsite, there were footprints. Not shoe prints, bare feet. And they weren't mine. Panic set in. Was someone messing with me?
Starting point is 00:43:22 Or worse, had someone been watching me all along? I shouted into the trees, demanding whoever it was to show themselves. Nothing. Just my own voice echoing back. My brain told me to leave, but my stubbornness won out. I wasn't going to let fear drive me out. That day, I stuck close to the camp, keeping my hatchet within arm's reach. The hours dragged by, the sun crawling across the sky.
Starting point is 00:43:48 Every rustle of leaves, every snap of a twig set my nerves on edge. By the time night fell, I was a bundle of anxiety. I'd fortified the tent as best as I could, piling rocks and sticks around it. It wasn't much, but it made me feel slightly better. The noises started again around midnight, but this time they were different. It wasn't just rustling, there was whispering. Faint, almost inaudible, but unmistakably human. My blood ran cold as I strained to make out the words.
Starting point is 00:44:18 They were garbled, like a language I didn't understand. The whispers grew louder, coming from all around the tent. I grabbed the hatchet and my flashlight, heart pounding. I burst out of the tent, shining the light wildly into the trees. Who's there? I shouted, my voice cracking. The forest answered with silence. No whispers, no movement.
Starting point is 00:44:42 Just the sound of my own ragged breathing. Then I saw it. About twenty feet away, partially obscured by the trees, was a figure. It stood perfectly still, watching me. The flashlight beam barely illuminated it, but I could tell it was tall, with long limbs and, no clothes. Just pale skin that almost glowed in the darkness. My mouth went dry as I stumbled backward, tripping over the tent.
Starting point is 00:45:06 Stay back. I screamed, raising the hatchet. The figure didn't move. It just stood there, unblinking, as if it were waiting for something. Then, as suddenly as it had appeared, it melted back into the shadows. I didn't sleep at all that night. As soon as dawn broke, I packed up my gear and hiked out of there as fast as I could. Every snap of a twig, every rustle of leaves made me jump.
Starting point is 00:45:31 I didn't stop until I reached my car, heart racing and lungs burning. To this day, I have no idea what I saw or experienced in that forest. Was it just my imagination, fueled by isolation and fear? Or was there really someone, or something, out there, watching me? All I know is that I haven't been back to that spot since. And I don't think I ever will. The state security forces had put out an urgent call for citizen collaboration, and And naturally, the media jumped on it, amplifying the message.
Starting point is 00:46:01 As part of the frenzy, a live call came in from someone claiming to have identified the person depicted in the composite sketch. Good evening, the caller began. I saw him on Thursday on the Metro. He had a tiny hoop earring in one of his ears. At first glance, the idea of citizen collaboration seemed promising. After all, the more eyes on the lookout, the better, right? But things spiraled out of control fast.
Starting point is 00:46:26 Over 2,000 people called in, some accusing neighbors they didn't like, others pointing fingers at people who owed them money, and then, of course, there were the pranksters. Despite all these calls, none led anywhere useful. The media even aired interviews with supposed witnesses, but the stories were incoherent, full of holes, and utterly unreliable. Then came March 18, 2003. At 8.45 p.m., the Guardia Civil received yet another call, but this time, it turned everything upside down. On a dirt path near the Arganda del Rey train station, two lifeless bodies were discovered, those of married couple Georgie and Doina Magda, both 40 years old. According to some sources, the couple was returning home from work when the killer struck.
Starting point is 00:47:11 Georgie was shot in the head first, execution style, while Doina was shot multiple times. She died on the scene, though some reports claim she lingered for two agonizing days before succumbing to her injuries. What made this scene even more chilling was the discovery of two playing cards left. behind, the three of Cups and the four of Cups. Until that point, the investigation had been handled by the National Police. But now the Guardia Civil joined forces with them. The case became a national emergency, this killer had to be caught, and fast. Ballistic analysis linked the bullets from this crime scene to previous murders. Same gun, same ammunition, same modus operandi. Authorities scoured records for all legally registered Tokarev pistols in Spain. The search
Starting point is 00:47:55 yielded only 49 results. But here came the next snag, none of these firearms matched the murder weapon. This meant one thing, the Tokarev TT 33 had entered Spain illegally. Profiling the killer, investigators began piecing together at the profile of the murderer. This individual was likely a member of the military or law enforcement, someone with weapons training, possibly with ties to the Balkans. The randomness of the victims and the lack of a clear geographic pattern suggested the killer might be suffering from a psychological disorder. A request was made for a list of all military personnel who had been treated for mental health issues. Initially, the list contained 100 names. When expanded to include those who had served in the Balkans, the list grew to 3,000.
Starting point is 00:48:41 After further filtering, one name stood out, Francisco Javier Antonano del Toro, also known as Fischage. At the time, Fischage was a 25-year-old former paratrooper who had served in Bosnia and Kosovo. Known for his difficult and explosive personality, he also had ties to far-right groups and ultra-sur, a notorious faction of Real Madrid hooligans. At the time, he worked as a nightclub bouncer in Alcala de Hineries, making him geographically plausible as the killer. Investigators gathered photos and presented one to Teresa Sanchez, the owner of Barr Rojas. Teresa had been deeply traumatized by her encounter with the killer and wasn't entirely sure,
Starting point is 00:49:19 but she thought she recognized Fishage as the man responsible. Based on her shaky identification, he was arrested. However, the investigative team later admitted in interviews that they didn't believe Fishage was the real killer. Political pressure seemed to play a role in the arrest. With elections looming in May, authorities were desperate to solve the case and reassure the public. But lacking solid evidence, Antonano del Toro was eventually released.
Starting point is 00:49:44 A break in the case, months of silence followed. There were no new crimes, no fresh leads. Then, on the evening of July 3rd, 2003, a heavily intoxicated man walked into a police station in Portolano, see you dad real, and declared, I'm the playing card killer, and I'm tired of the police's incompetence. Initially, everyone thought it was a drunken rant. But as the man began to share details about the crimes, the officers started paying attention. He revealed information that had never been made public, like the fact that each playing
Starting point is 00:50:14 card left at the crime scenes had a small blue dot on it. He described each crime scene in detail, how the bodies were positioned, the trajectories of of the gunshots. The man also revealed that, although he was in Portalano at the time, he actually lived in Alcala de Hineries. His brother lived in Portalano, which explained his presence there. Searches were conducted at both locations. In Portalano, officers found a bullet casing that matched one from the January 24 crime scene. In Alcala de Hineries, they uncovered a treasure trove of evidence, two decks of playing cards, with specific cards missing, newspaper clippings about the playing card killer, and clothing with gunpowder residue.
Starting point is 00:50:54 However, the murder weapon was missing. The man admitted he had sold it to an unknown buyer before turning himself in. Who was Alfredo Galan Sotillo? The man's name was Alfredo Galan Sotillo, born on April 5, 1978, in Portalano, Spain. He grew up in a stable household and attended the Menendez Palayo School. By all accounts, his childhood was unremarkable until tragedy struck when he was eight. His mother died while giving birth to his younger sister. The loss deeply affected Alfredo, who became introverted and emotionally distant.
Starting point is 00:51:28 In high school, Alfredo wanted to be popular, but his attempts to be the class clown or the troublemaker often went unnoticed. Teachers described him as unremarkable, he didn't excel academically and wasn't particularly motivated. He had a volatile temper, though, and would occasionally explode in fits of rage, only to calm down quickly afterward. Eventually, Alfredo dropped out of school and joined the military at 20. He served in the paratrooper brigade and was deployed to Bosnia twice for humanitarian missions. The horrors of war left a mark on him, as they did on many soldiers. Alfredo witnessed unspeakable violence and death, experiences that seemed to harden his already cold demeanor.
Starting point is 00:52:08 During one of his missions, he acquired a Tokarev T.3 pistol and 200 cartridges for 50 euros. Knowing it would be illegal to bring the weapon into Spain, he smuggled it in by hiding it inside a VCR. Despite his military career, Alfredo struggled to advance. He failed exams to rise above the rank of corporal and was later rejected when he tried to join the Guardia Civil. Frustrated, he began to unravel. The breaking point.
Starting point is 00:52:34 In late 2002, Alfredo was supposed to go on leave after returning from a mission. But when the prestige oil spill disaster struck, he was called to help with the cleanup in Galicia instead. This last-minute change infuriated him. His temper flared during a roadside checkpoint when a driver didn't stop immediately. Alfredo forcibly removed her from her car, got in, and started the engine. His superiors deemed this behavior unacceptable and ordered a psychological evaluation. Diagnosed with neurosis and anxiety, Alfredo was hospitalized. Doctors also noted his growing alcohol problem, which was incompatible with the medication he was prescribed. His family intervened, insisting he'd be released for Christmas, promising
Starting point is 00:53:17 to monitor him closely. Against better judgment, the hospital agreed, and Alfredo was discharged on December 22, 2002. His behavior during the holidays was alarming. He attended Christmas dinner with a gun visibly tucked into his waistband, even pretending to shoot family members. On another occasion, he recklessly sped down a road with his brother in the car, refusing to slow down even when stopped by the Guardia Civil. Although warned, he wasn't given a breathalyzer test and was let go. By early 2003, Alfredo's mental state had deteriorated further. He left the military and took a job as a security guard at Barajas Airport.
Starting point is 00:53:55 This was when the murders began. The trial, after his arrest in July 2003, Alfredo Galan spent two years in pretrial detention. Forensic psychologists found him to be utterly devoid of empathy, describing him cold and unfeeling. He reportedly killed simply to see what it felt like, continuing because he felt nothing after the first murder. The trial began on January 7, 2005, one of the most sensational in Spain's history. Alfredo often wore a cap pulled low over his face, avoiding eye contact. The widow of his first victim testified about the trauma her son endured, but Alfredo remained emotionless. Teresa Sanchez testified via video link, and again, he showed no reaction. When it was
Starting point is 00:54:38 His turn to speak, he shocked everyone by retracting his confession. He claimed a neo-Nazi had committed the murders and had threatened to kill his family if Alfredo didn't take the blame. His defense was unconvincing, and the evidence against him was overwhelming. Sentenced to 142 years in prison, Alfredo Gallon became eligible for parole after serving 25 years, as per Spanish law at the time. This sparked a debate, could a man like him ever be rehabilitated, or would he kill again if released. The fallout, Alfredo's case raised serious questions about the military's screening
Starting point is 00:55:10 processes. How could someone with clear psychological issues and a propensity for violence be allowed to serve? Critics argued that the state bore some responsibility for creating a killer. So, what do you think? Can someone like Alfredo Golan be rehabilitated, or is he beyond redemption? The night that changed everything, July 1, 1996, started like any other summer night in Denton, Texas. The college town buzzed with energy, its bars and clubs alive with music and laughter. For two friends, it was just another night out, grabbing drinks, hitting a few spots, and enjoying the carefree vibes that the city's nightlife offered. But what began as an ordinary evening quickly took a sinister turn, leaving questions that
Starting point is 00:55:53 remain unanswered to this day. They started their night at a local bar, sharing a few drinks before wandering to another spot. By the time they stumbled out of the Red Derby, their final stop of the night, their lives were about to collide with a nightmare. Right outside, they witnessed a scene so chilling it's haunted them ever since. Every night in that area, a cheerful woman sold flowers to passers-by. She was a beloved fixture of the neighborhood. Friendly, vibrant, and full of life, she was well-known and well-liked by everyone who crossed
Starting point is 00:56:23 her path. That night was no different. She moved through the crowd, singing and chatting as she sold her flowers. But then, suddenly, everything changed. A truck pulled up out of nowhere, and a tall man stepped out, shouting. The two friends heard voices rise, a scuffle, and then what sounded like a gunshot. Before they could process what was happening, the man grabbed the flower cellar and forced her into the truck. Everything happened so fast, and the pair, though shaken, were not in the best condition to recall every detail.
Starting point is 00:56:55 Some accounts claimed they were heavily intoxicated, others suggest they weren't, but the confusion of the moment was undeniable. Still, one of them managed to memorize the truck's license plate and immediately ran to a nearby payphone to call the police. But what should have triggered a full-scale investigation barely made a ripple. When officers arrived at the scene, it was clear they weren't taking it seriously. They dismissed the story, chalking it up to drunken imagination or a domestic dispute gone wrong. No notes were taken, and no action was pursued. Even as one witness insisted that the woman taken was Diana Goldston, the beloved flower seller who never harmed anyone, the police brushed it off.
Starting point is 00:57:34 The witness recited the license plate number, but the officers remained unconvinced. To them, it wasn't a kidnapping. There was no crime to investigate. Who was Diana Goldston? Diana Goldston, full name Diana Louise Goldston, was born in Texas in 1960. She was known for her warm personality and kind spirit. But beyond that, little was known about her. Her mother, Rita Goldston, raised her, but details about her father or any siblings remain unknown.
Starting point is 00:58:04 Diana lived a busy life, juggling multiple jobs. She worked as a photographer, sold flowers on the weekends, and even had a part-time gig at the Red Derby bar. Ironically, it was the parking lot of this very bar where she was last seen. The police eventually pieced together a few more details. Diana's life was uncomplicated. She wasn't someone who got involved in drama or trouble. who knew her, whether friends, neighbors, or casual acquaintances, spoke highly of her.
Starting point is 00:58:33 But that only made her sudden disappearance all the more baffling. Finally, the police decided to trace the license plate number provided by the witness. It led them to a woman named Carrie Griffin, whose name raised no red flags. She had no criminal record, and by all appearances, she was an ordinary person. But her ex-husband? That was a different story. A dangerous connection, Carrie's ex-husband, James Robert Griffin, was far from ordinary. He had a criminal record and a reputation as a dangerous man.
Starting point is 00:59:04 At the time of the incident, he was out on parole. This revelation turned the investigation on its head, and on July 2nd, police visited Carrie's home. Carrie greeted the officers and seemed cooperative at first. She explained that while the truck was registered in her name, it had been handed over to Robert as part of their divorce settlement. The truck was his now, she said. When asked about the night of July 1st, Carrie hesitated before recounting a troubling story. She said Robert and another woman had knocked on her door late that night, asking for help. The truck, they claimed, was stuck in a swampy area near a lake.
Starting point is 00:59:40 Carrie couldn't help them, so Robert turned to a neighbor, Ronald Henry, for assistance. Carrie added a chilling detail, the woman with Robert that night matched Diana Goldston's description. When shown a photo of Diana, Carrie confirmed it was her. A twisted theory. As the investigation unfolded, the police began spinning their own narrative. They theorized that Diana might have been having an affair with Robert and that her boyfriend discovered it, leading to a heated argument. This, they suggested, could explain why Diana left with Robert willingly. But Diana's mother, Rita, and her boyfriend both vehemently denied this theory. They insisted Diana didn't know Robert and would never have left her life behind like that.
Starting point is 01:00:19 Under pressure, the case was assigned to two detectives, Dave Stewart and Kenny Kirkland, on July 8th. They began by revisiting Carrie Griffin. This time, their questioning broke her composure. Carrie admitted that the woman with Robert that night wasn't Diana, but his girlfriend, Jeanette Cox, known as Jenny. Carrie painted a grim picture of Robert. He was violent, battled alcohol and drug problems, and had a short fuse.
Starting point is 01:00:46 On the night in question, he'd shown up at her door covered in blood, demanding help. Terrified, Carrie had sent him to her neighbor, Ronald Henry. When police questioned Henry on July 10, he willingly led them to the exact spot where the truck had been stuck. What they found there was disturbing. The scene of the crime, by the time police arrived at the lake, nine days had passed since Diana's abduction. Any hope of finding clean evidence was slim.
Starting point is 01:01:12 the scene offered up clues that were impossible to ignore. First, they found a yellow shirt soaked in blood draped over some bushes. Nearby, tire marks led to a trail of something being dragged, a trail that ended in a large pool of blood swarming with flies. It was clear that something horrific had happened here. Though Diana's body was nowhere to be found, the amount of blood suggested she had little chance of surviving. Blood samples from the scene were sent for testing, and the results confirmed the worst. The blood belonged to Diana. This was no longer a missing person's case. It was a murder investigation. The hunt for evidence. On July 12, Robert Griffin was officially named the prime suspect in Diana's murder.
Starting point is 01:01:54 Police searched his truck and home, uncovering damning evidence. Blood matching Diana's was found in the truck, and two firearms, a shotgun and a .38 caliber revolver, were discovered in his house. The revolver, ominously, had traces of blood on it. An arrest warrant was issued, and Robert was taken into custody at Lake Dallas. Unable to pay his $1 million bail, he remained behind bars. Meanwhile, police turned their attention to his girlfriend, Jenny Cox, who had gone into hiding. She was eventually found on July 17th, but her involvement in the crime remained unclear. A desperate search, the lack of a body complicated the case. Without it, securing a conviction would be challenging. To make matters worse, a man named Jeffrey R. Cox muddied the waters further.
Starting point is 01:02:41 claiming to have psychic abilities, Jeffrey offered to help locate Diana's body. He even suggested undergoing hypnosis to gain clarity. But his bizarre claims and contradictory statements only serve to waste time and resources. Frustrated, police arrested him on August 5th for tampering with evidence. Running out of Leeds, the detectives decided to take an unconventional approach. They reached out to Carol Pate, a renowned psychic who had a reputation for aiding police investigations. The Psychic's Insight, Carol Pate specialized in psychometry, a technique where she claimed to gather information by touching objects.
Starting point is 01:03:18 When brought onto the case, she was subjected to a test, a table full of photographs, including images of Diana, Robert, Jenny, and unrelated people. With her eyes closed, Carol identified Diana, saying she had been murdered, and then pointed out Robert and Jenny as the culprits. Detective Kirkland took Carol to the Red Derby parking lot. prior knowledge of the case, Carol described Diana's abduction in chilling detail. She claimed Robert shot Diana before forcing her into the truck. Carol then accompanied the police to the lake, where she described a brutal scene, Robert and Jenny had beaten Diana, leaving her to die.
Starting point is 01:03:53 She even sketched a location, a stone bridge with red graffiti, a cross, and a barrel, where she believed Diana's body could be found. Despite extensive searches, the location was never discovered. Justice without closure, in the absence of a body, Robert Griffin was convicted of aggravated kidnapping and sentenced to 40 years in prison. Jenny Cox later confessed, corroborating much of what Carol had described. She claimed Robert, in a drug-fueled rage, accused Diana of theft before killing her at the lake. However, Jenny maintained she wasn't present when Robert disposed of Diana's body, leaving its location a mystery. Jenny struck a plea deal and received a 20-year sentence. But even with these convictions, the question of what
Starting point is 01:04:36 happened to Diana's body lingers. Did it end up under the bridge Carol described? Or was it somewhere else entirely? Now it's your turn to weigh in. Do you think Diana's body lies beneath that elusive stone bridge, or does the truth remain hidden forever? Everything begins in a small town in Idaho called Moscow. It's a place known for its university vibe, with a huge portion of its population being students. Moscow is filled with fraternities, sororities, and student housing, including a particular house that, in 2022, was home to six female students. This house was located at 1122, King Road, close to the university campus.
Starting point is 01:05:15 The house was unique, it had three floors, three bathrooms, a full kitchen, six bedrooms, and two separate entrances. The main door was on the ground floor here the parking lot, while the back door led to the second floor. Because of its size and location, the house became a hotspot for parties. However, the frequent noise often irritated neighbors. On September 2nd, 2022, the local police were called to the house during the early morning hours. The situation was documented, and one of the tenants, Zana Kernital, answered the door and apologized profusely, promising it wouldn't happen again. By late 2022, one of the six tenants decided to move out for
Starting point is 01:05:53 reasons unknown. This left one room vacant, reducing the household to five residents. Madison Mogan, 21 originally from Idaho, Madison was in her senior year studying marketing. To support herself, she worked part-time at a local restaurant. Some sources suggest she also had a side hustle through social media. Madison had been dating her boyfriend, Jake Schreiger, for about a year. Kaylee Goncalvez, 21 also from Idaho, Kaylee was in her final year pursuing general studies. She shared the house with her beloved dog, who had his own designated space. Kaylee had recently broken up with her boyfriend, Jack, and the two were co-parenting the dog, taking turns caring for him. Zana Kernadal, 20 hailing from Arizona, Zana studied marketing
Starting point is 01:06:38 and was a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority. She was dating Ethan Chapin, a 20-year-old fraternity member from Sigma Chi Ethan, a triplet, was originally from Washington and was deeply into sports. Dylan Mortensen and Bethany Funk, the other two tenants, Dylan and Bethany, kept a relatively low profile, and little is publicly known about them. The six girls formed a tight-knit bond. They attended events together, went out to eat, worked out, and frequently shared pictures on social media. Among them, Madison and Kaylee were best friends, having grown up together since sixth grade. They'd do everything together, said Steve Goncalves, Kaylee's father. Homework, sleepovers, college applications. Eventually, they even moved into the same
Starting point is 01:07:22 house. Madison and Kaylee were well known on campus and frequently appeared at social gatherings, becoming the face of any party they attended. However, what started as a typical Saturday night on November 12, 2022, would spiral into something sinister. That Saturday, each girl made separate plans. Thanksgiving was just around the corner, and the university community was buzzing with events, parties, and social gatherings hosted by fraternities and sororities alike. Dylan and Bethany decided to visit a few bars and house parties before heading home early. Zana and her boyfriend Ethan attended a party at his fraternity house. Some unverified sources suggest there was a heated argument at this event, involving threats,
Starting point is 01:08:03 but this has never been confirmed. Afterward, the couple decided to spend the night together at Zana's house. Madison and Kaylee, inseparable as usual, went out with friends, including Madison's boyfriend, Jake. They hit up a local bar and left around 140 a.m. to visit a popular food truck, which was live streaming on Twitch at the time. Footage from this live stream showed Madison and Kaylee ordering food, laughing, and chatting with a hooded man who stood nearby. Keep this detail in mind, as it will resurface later. After eating, the girls called a taxi to head home. At around 2 a.m., all six residents were home. For the next few hours, several unusual events occurred.
Starting point is 01:08:45 While these details were initially kept under wraps by authorities, their now public knowledge. At 3 a.m., Kaylee made a phone call to her ex-boyfriend, Jack. They spoke for several minutes, and the conversation seemed calm. Around 4 a.m., Zana received a food delivery. She went downstairs to collect it and returned to her room. Dylan, who was sleeping on the first floor, woke up several times throughout the night. The house's age made it creaky, so any movement echoed through the walls. At one point, she thought she heard Kaylee playing with her dog.
Starting point is 01:09:18 Later, she heard Kaylee's voice saying, there's someone here. Concerned, Dylan opened her door but saw nothing unusual. Moments later, she heard Zana crying. When Dylan opened her door again, she caught a glimpse of a man dressed in black with bushy eyebrows and a mask covering most of his face. Frozen in shock, she closed her door and remained silent. The next morning, Dylan and Bethany discovered the lifeless bodies of their friends and immediately contacted the authorities. The initial 911 call brought chaos to the
Starting point is 01:09:49 normally quiet neighborhood. Reports suggest that before dialing the police, the surviving roommates may have called friends to the scene, resulting in several people being present when officers arrived. Police noted that the house had no signs of forced entry. The main door was unlocked, and the back door on the second floor was often left open due to the neighborhood's perceived safety. The killer had entered through the back door and proceeded to the third floor, where Madison and Kaylee were killed in their beds. A military-style knife sheath was found near Madison's body, containing male DNA. The attacker then moved to the second floor, where Zana and Ethan were killed. As news of the murders broke, the university's director
Starting point is 01:10:28 canceled classes for Monday, November 14, 2022. In an effort to calm the community, police made public statements assuring residents that the murders were an isolated incident, and that no one else was in danger. However, these claims were quickly contradicted when police chief James Frye later admitted, we cannot definitively say there's no ongoing threat. Stay alert and report any suspicious activity. This conflicting information left the community in a state of panic, and amateur detectives online began crafting their own theories.
Starting point is 01:10:58 Among the most popular hypotheses, the surviving roommates, Dylan and Bethany, many questioned how they hadn't heard or seen more, especially given Dylan's account of seeing the masked intruder. Police later cleared them of suspicion, explaining that trauma might have influenced their behavior. The hooded man at the food truck, online sleuths pointed fingers at the man seen behind Madison and Cayley in the live stream. Authorities identified him as Madison's boyfriend, Jake, who had a solid alibi.
Starting point is 01:11:26 A party goer, given the house's history of hosting large gatherings, some speculated that the killer might have been someone familiar with its layout. Police interviewed over 40 people, reviewed security footage, and even combed through local dumpster contents, but nothing concrete emerged. A stalker, Kaylee had mentioned to friends that she believed she was being followed. This claim was corroborated by a local vape shop employee who overheard her discussing the issue. However, the alleged stalker was never identified. The case took a major turn on December 7, 2022, when police issued a request for information about a white Hyundai Alantra scene speeding near the crime scene. Surveillance footage also captured the
Starting point is 01:12:05 vehicle multiple times before and after the murders, including near the University of Washington campus in Pullman, where Brian Christopher Coburger was a Ph.D. student in criminology. Coburger's background raised eyebrows. Born in Albrightville, Pennsylvania, he had studied psychology in criminal justice, burning his master's degree under Dr. Catherine Ramsland, a psychologist known for her work with infamous serial killer Dennis Raider, BTK. Despite his academic success, former classmates described Koeberger as socially awkward and prone to making inappropriate comments. After the murders, Koeberger allegedly displayed strange behavior, such as wearing gloves in public and changing the license plate on his Hyundai.
Starting point is 01:12:45 Police tracked his movements through cell phone data, noting that his phone had been turned off during the murders but had pinged towers near the victim's house multiple times in the weeks leading up to the crime. On December 30th, 2022, police arrested Koberger at his parents' home in Pennsylvania. DNA from the knife sheath matched a sample obtained from Coburger's family's trash. Co-Burger agreed to be extradited to Idaho, where he faces charges of four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary. Despite the evidence, many questions remain unanswered. Coburger's motive is unclear, and his connection to the victims is still speculative. He could face life imprisonment or the death penalty if convicted. The next court date is set for June 23,
Starting point is 01:13:28 What do you think of this case? Do you believe there's more information yet to surface? Once upon a time, in a quiet little house on Dawson Avenue in Spalding, Lincolnshire, something deeply unsettling unfolded. This wasn't just any ordinary home, it was the home of 49-year-old Elizabeth Edwards and her two daughters, 13-year-old Katie and 14-year-old Kim. To their neighbors, they seemed like an average family, maybe even happy at first glance. But on April 14, 2016, that all changed.
Starting point is 01:13:58 The alarm was first raised when people started noticing something strange. Elizabeth hadn't shown up for work, and her daughters hadn't been to school in days. Calls and messages went unanswered. Even after knocking on their door repeatedly, no one responded, except for their dog, who barked endlessly from inside. It wasn't like Elizabeth to just vanish without a word. Concern quickly turned into panic. Two days later, on April 16, police decided to check on the family.
Starting point is 01:14:26 They knocked, rang the bell, and when there was still no response, they forced their way in. What they found was beyond shocking. The house wasn't empty, as they initially thought. The television was on, playing the Twilight Saga, Breaking Dawn, Part 1. On the living room couch sat Kim and her boyfriend, Lucas Markham, cuddled together like it was just another lazy movie night. A mattress lay sprawled out in front of them, and the two seemed disturbingly calm, as if nothing in the world could disrupt their peace.
Starting point is 01:14:55 When the officers asked about Elizabeth and Katie, the teens didn't flinch. They're upstairs, one of them casually replied. Their unnerving calmness immediately set off alarms in the officer's minds. Something was very, very wrong. What the police discovered upstairs was straight out of a nightmare. It marked the beginning of a chilling story that would come to be known as the Twilight Killer's case, a tale of teenage love, broken families, and a tragedy so twisted it almost seemed unreal.
Starting point is 01:15:24 The background, Kimberly Edwards, born in 2002, was the eldest of Elizabeth's two daughters. Her early years were far from idyllic. Her family was dysfunctional, to say the least. Accounts differ on the details, some say her biological father abandoned them when Kim was just two years old, while others claim he stuck around but was violent and addicted to drugs. Either way, Kim grew up in a toxic environment. When Kim was just five, a heated argument with her mother ended with Elizabeth losing control and hitting her. Social services intervened, and Kim, along with her younger sister Katie,
Starting point is 01:15:59 was placed in foster care for six months. Those months were devastating for Kim. She felt abandoned, unloved, and misunderstood, a feeling that would only grow deeper as the years went by. When the girls returned to their mother, things didn't improve. Elizabeth seemed to favor Katie, often describing her as an angel, a good girl who could do no wrong. Kim, on the other hand, was rebellious and headstrong, constantly clashing with her mother. Elizabeth's constant scolding and punishing only widened the rift between them. Family members later insisted the sisters got along well, but it was clear that the dynamic between Kim and her mother was fraught with tension.
Starting point is 01:16:36 By 2013, things took a darker turn. Kim reportedly accused her mother of trying to strangle her. Whether the accusation was true or not remains unclear, but one thing was certain, Kim's resentment toward her mother was festering, and her mental health was deteriorating. She kept a pink diary where she poured out all her anger, loneliness, and despair. Her mother eventually stumbled upon the diary and, horrified by its contents, sought professional help for Kim. But no amount of therapy could mend their broken bond.
Starting point is 01:17:07 The boyfriend, enter Lucas Markham. Kim met Lucas at school, and Sparks flew instantly. Like Kim, Lucas had a troubled childhood. Born to parents who had a violent relationship, he and his siblings spent years bouncing around foster homes. When Lucas was four, he was adopted by his aunt after his mother died of leukemia. Despite her efforts, Lucas grew up angry, rebellious, and prone to violent outbursts. At school, Lucas was known as the problem kid. He got into fights, disobeyed teachers, and had a fascination with gore. His best friend, Adam Free, recalled how Lucas was disturbingly curious
Starting point is 01:17:44 about the brutal murder of Adam's father, Warren Free, who had been beaten to death with an iron bar by a group of teenagers. Lucas wanted to know every detail about the crime, how it happened, why, and how the killers got away with it. When Kim first saw Lucas, it was during one of his infamous outbursts. In the middle of class, he picked up a chair and hurled it across the room in a fit of rage. Most people would have steered clear of him after witnessing that, but not Kim. She was drawn to him, perhaps seeing a kindred spirit in his anger and pain.
Starting point is 01:18:15 The two quickly became inseparable. They understood each other in a way no one else could. Both felt unloved, unwanted, and misunderstood by the world around them. To them, their love was like something out of a storybook, or more accurately, a Twilight movie. They compared their relationship to that of Edward Cullen and Bella Swan, believing their love was so deep, so pure, that nothing could tear them apart. The Forbidden Romance, Elizabeth, however, was far from thrilled about their relationship.
Starting point is 01:18:44 She didn't trust Lucas. He was aggressive, controlling, and had a temper that could explode at any moment. At first, she tried to give him a chance, but as she observed how possessive he was with Kim, her concerns grew. Then, one day, she discovered through Kim's diary that the two teens were sexually active. That was the last straw. Elizabeth laid down the law, Kim and Lucas could no longer see each other. They were forbidden from being alone together, and if they wanted to meet, it had to be under
Starting point is 01:19:13 her watchful eye. The teens felt like their love story was being ripped straight from the pages of Romeo and Juliet. They were devastated. In October 2015, unable to bear the separation any longer, Kim and Lucas ran away. They hid in a nearby forest for six days while their families and the police frantically searched for them. When they were finally found, Elizabeth doubled down on her restrictions, warning Kim that if she ever saw Lucas again, she'd be kicked out of the house.
Starting point is 01:19:41 But the tighter Elizabeth tried to hold on to her daughter, the more Kim resisted. She spiraled into depression, and in March 2016, she attempted suicide by overdosing on painkillers. Elizabeth sought help for her daughter once again, but the damage was done. Kim had made up her mind, her mother was the enemy, the one person standing between her and Lucas. The plot, Lucas had always been fiercely protective of Kim. He saw Elizabeth as a tyrant who was trying to ruin Kim's life.
Starting point is 01:20:10 So one day, he suggested something unthinkable, what if we just got rid of her? At first, Kim thought he was joking. But when she realized he was serious, she agreed. The plan was simple but horrifying. On the night of April 11, Lucas would sneak into Kim's house armed with kitchen knives. Together, they would kill Elizabeth and Katie. Then, they'd be free to live happily ever after. The first two nights, their plan fell apart because Kim fell asleep before Lucas could sneak in.
Starting point is 01:20:41 But on the night of April 13th, everything went according to plan. climbed through the bathroom window with the knives in hand. Kim stayed behind while Lucas crept into Elizabeth's bedroom and stabbed her eight times. Afterward, he smothered her with a pillow. When it came time to kill Katie, Kim hesitated. She couldn't bring herself to do it, so Lucas took over, killing Katie in the same brutal way. The aftermath, with the murders complete, the teens didn't flee or panic. Instead, they settled in for a twilight marathon, on, eating snacks, and cuddling on the couch. It wasn't until days later, when the police broke down the door, that the gruesome truth
Starting point is 01:21:19 came to light. Kim and Lucas were arrested and sentenced to 20 years in prison, later reduced to 17 and a half. They'll be eligible for release in their early 30s. Whether their love will survive that long remains to be seen. This chilling story serves as a grim reminder of how love, when twisted by pain and anger, can lead to unthinkable acts. What do you think?
Starting point is 01:21:41 Were their sentences fair, or did they deserve more? What seemed obvious from the start was that this case was connected to the one at the bus stop. If that was true, then authorities were dealing with a potential serial killer. It all kicked off on the afternoon of July 3, 2003. A man, completely drunk, stumbled into a police station and began spinning the wildest story. He claimed he was the serial killer everyone was looking for. Naturally, no one believed him. The officers chuckled, waved him off, and told him to stop wasting their time.
Starting point is 01:22:14 But then, the man got serious. He started revealing details about the crimes, details that only the killer could know. These weren't things the media had published. And so began the chilling tale of the deck of cards killer. Let's go back to the beginning. It all started at 11.30 a.m. on Friday, January 24, 2003, in Madrid. Juan Francisco La Desma was at home, feeding his two-year-old son. Juan worked as a doorman for the building at 89, Alonso Cano Street in Chimberry.
Starting point is 01:22:44 Because of his job, he lived in a small residence on the ground floor of the same building. It was an ordinary day. He wore his uniform, attended to his toddler, and kept the door to his home open, just in case a neighbor needed something. Trust was high in the community. But out of nowhere, a stranger walked into his house. This man, armed with a pistol, forced Juan to kneel before shooting him point-blank in the head. The crime was committed in front of one's two-year-old son, who was too young to understand what had just happened.
Starting point is 01:23:14 The investigation that followed shook the officers to their core. There were no fingerprints, no apparent motive, and almost no leads. The only clue. Residue from a bullet. The killer had taken the bullet casing, but the residue hinted that the weapon was a 7.62 millimeters Toccarev, a pistol of Soviet make. With so little to go on, several theories emerged. The first was that this was a revenge killing.
Starting point is 01:23:40 The way the killer forced Juan to kneel and then shot him execution style seemed to scream, personal vendetta. But here's the twist, one had no enemies. He owed no money. He had no criminal record or any significant conflicts in his life. Sure, he'd had a recent argument with someone, but that person had a solid alibi. No matter how they sliced it, Juan seemed like a man with no problems. Now, let's set the stage with the broader context.
Starting point is 01:24:06 Early 2003 wasn't exactly a peaceful time in Madrid. Crime rates were climbing. There were shootings, gang clashes, and all kinds of violent incidents. So, initially, Juan's murder was lumped in with the chaos of the time. It was written off as just another violent crime. The media reported it as an isolated incident. Nobody thought much of it. But things took a dark turn just a few weeks later.
Starting point is 01:24:33 In the early hours of Wednesday, February 5th, Juan Carlo, Martina Stachio, a 28-year-old, was heading to a bus stop in Alameda de Osuna, a neighborhood in Madrid. The streets were empty. The silence of the night was suddenly shattered by a gunshot. Someone had appeared out of nowhere, forced Juan Carlos to kneel, and shot him in the head. Then, the killer left something unusual at the scene, a playing card, specifically the Ace of Cups. At first, investigators didn't think much of the card. Just a coincidence, maybe. But when When the media got wind of it, they pounced on the detail. They speculated about its meaning and nicknamed the culprit, the deck of cards killer,
Starting point is 01:25:13 or the card assassin. From here, theories began swirling. The first theory was that Juan Carlos had some kind of gambling debt. Maybe he'd lost money, couldn't pay, and someone had hired a hitman to deal with him. But this theory fell apart fast. Juan Carlos wasn't a gambler. He didn't bet on cards or dice. He didn't owe anyone money.
Starting point is 01:25:35 He was a regular guy, a hardworking and honest man. The second theory. Maybe this was the work of a serial killer, and the Ace of Cups was the killer's calling card. The media ran wild with this angle. In tarot, the Ace of Cups symbolizes new beginnings, so journalists speculated that this killer might be sending some twisted message. The third theory was even more sinister, a copycat killer inspired by the infamous role-playing
Starting point is 01:26:00 game killer, case that had shocked Spain years earlier. That case involved a man who convinced a friend to help him murder someone as part of a macab game. The victim in that case was also someone waiting for a bus. The similarities were eerie, nighttime killings, victims at bus stops, and both victims worked in the cleaning industry. Too many parallels to ignore. Then came February 5th, just hours after one Carlos' murder. Another crime unfolded. It was 4 p.m. in Alcala de Hineris.
Starting point is 01:26:30 A man, armed and with no attempt to hide his face, walked into Bar Rojas. Inside were three people, Teresa Sanchez, the 38-year-old owner, her 18-year-old son, Mikkel Jimenez, and Juana Dolores Suckel, a 54-year-old neighbor who was chatting on the phone at the bar. The scene was quiet until the man pulled out a gun. He first shot Mikkel in the head, killing him instantly. Then he turned to Wana and did the same. Teresa, realizing what was happening, dove to the ground. But the gunman wasn't leaving witnesses.
Starting point is 01:27:03 He went behind the bar and shot Teresa three times, in the arm, the back, and the leg. Miraculously, Teresa survived. Minutes later, Michael's friend Antonio Marine arrived at the bar. They'd planned to meet, but Mikkel wasn't picking up his phone. Antonio walked in and found the horrifying aftermath. He described the scene later, saying, I called for my friend, and his mom came crawling out, crying, and told me to call the police. scramble to make sense of it all. At first, they thought the attack was a vendetta against Teresa and her son, with Juana as an unfortunate bystander.
Starting point is 01:27:39 But, like the earlier cases, this theory didn't hold up. Teresa and her family were hardworking, honest people with no enemies. Sure, Mikkel had been in a fight the previous summer over some graffiti drama, but that issue had been resolved. It didn't make sense. What started to become clear, though, was that this crime was linked to the bus stop murder. murder. The method was the same, cold, calculated headshots. If that was true, authorities were now dealing with a serial killer, one with a short fuse and an expert aim. All three fatal victims had been shot in the head. The killer seemed determined to leave no witnesses,
Starting point is 01:28:16 but Teresa's survival threw a wrench in that plan. Teresa managed to give a description of the shooter, young, athletic man with tattoos. And, based on ballistic evidence, the gun used was the same talker of pistol from the earlier killings. The media went into overdrive. Reporters hunted for every detail, airing interviews with Teresa and relatives of the victims. But as information dried up, so did the coverage. And then, on March 7, 2003, another attack shook the city. This time, it was 3 a.m. Santiago Ardosa Salas, 27, and his friend Anahit, Castillo Ruperti, 29, were chatting on Avenida Vinulas in Trace Cantos. They'd spent the night walking and talking, as they often did.
Starting point is 01:29:00 Santiago had walked Anahit home, but before they could part ways, a man appeared out of nowhere. At first, they didn't think much of him. He was just another guy on the street. But as he got closer, Santiago noticed something off. The man's pace quickened. Before Santiago could react, the man pulled out a gun and shot him in the face. The bullet went through Santiago's jaw and exited through his neck. Then the shooter turned to Anahit.
Starting point is 01:29:27 She dropped to the ground, curling into a fetal position in covering her head. She braced for the worst. But then, nothing. The killer's gun had jammed. Frustrated, he gave up, leaving behind another playing card, this time, the two of cups. Anna hit couldn't recall the man's face in detail, but she remembered two key things, his shark-like eyes and a pink mesh he had rigged over his gun. This mesh suggested the killer knew his weapon well and used it to catch the bullet casings.
Starting point is 01:29:55 Santiago miraculously survived after undergoing two surgeries. He provided a detailed description of the attacker, a man between 26 and 28 years old, about 5 feet 11 inches, athletic, and sporting some facial hair. His account matched Teresa's earlier description, although some minor details differed, suggesting the killer might have altered his appearance between crimes. For days, investigators combed the crime scene. Santiago's injury, an entry and exit wound, meant the bullet had to be somewhere. After an exhaustive search, they found it buried in the dirt.
Starting point is 01:30:30 Ballistics tests confirmed it, the weapon was the same Tokarev pistol. This particular gun wasn't common in Spain. Experts traced its origin to Yugoslavia, speculating it could have entered the country through two channels, either the killer was from that region, or they were a military or ex-military individual who had been stationed there. Faced with mounting pressure, authorities formed the task force of 150 officers dedicated solely to finding the deck of cards killer. Piecing together the timeline, they confirmed that all the crimes, January 24th, February 5th, and March 7th, were linked. The same weapon, the same method, and no apparent pattern in victim selection.
Starting point is 01:31:08 This killer didn't seem to have a type. He killed randomly, and that made him even more dangerous. Desperate for leads, the task force turned to the public. They released a composite sketch and a tip line, pleading for anyone with information to come forward. Media outlets plastered the killer's image everywhere. The hunt was on, but the killer's next move remained a chilling unknown. Imagine this, a public video, open for everyone to see, and all of Tony's friends are watching it. What's the reaction?
Starting point is 01:31:39 Well, let's just say it wasn't positive. People called it ridiculous, absurd, even worthless. Some even spoke to Tony directly, telling him not to reconcile with her. But here's the twist, Tony's ex-girlfriend. She didn't think it was ridiculous at all. In fact, she found the video downright adorable. So, this bizarre story kicks off in the early hours of October 18th, 2014. Messages start pinging phones like crazy, Tony's friends are all getting strange texts.
Starting point is 01:32:10 The message? Someone is saying that Tony's girlfriend is dead. Q. Chaos. Nobody knows where the news is coming from, and no one can confirm it. Tony's best friend, fed up with the speculation, decided. decides to contact her parents. And guess what? Tony isn't home.
Starting point is 01:32:28 He's not in his room, not in the living room, and his car. Gone. It's like he vanished into thin air. What happened to Tony? Why don't his parents know where he is? These are the burning questions that unravel what would soon become a sinister and unforgettable case. The calm before the storm, it all begins in Salt Lake City, Utah, a calm, serene place
Starting point is 01:32:49 often associated with a strong Mormon presence. For families, it's an idyllic spot to settle down. That's why Dana Marie Anderson and Casey B bought a beautiful little house in holiday, a charming suburb of Salt Lake City. On June 17, 1993, they welcomed their daughter, Tony Marie B. From day one, Tony was the dream child. Blonde hair, piercing blue eyes, and a flawless smile, she had that quintessential all-American look. But it wasn't just her appearance, Tony had a magnetic personality.
Starting point is 01:33:20 Friends always said she was the most loyal person they'd ever known, a quality that would later play a pivotal role in her story. Tony loved to act, sing, dance, and be the center of attention. Music, in particular, was her passion. She dreamed of becoming a star, and anyone who met her believed she had what it took. The incident that changed everything, fast forward to 2010. Tony, now 17, is enjoying the life of a popular teenager. But one seemingly innocent afternoon takes a sharp turn.
Starting point is 01:33:52 She and a few older friends go for a drive, music blasting, spirits high. At some point, they park the car, pull out some alcohol, and start drinking. Things are light-hearted until someone pulls out a tiny bag of marijuana. Tony, who didn't smoke, wanted nothing to do with it. But her friends? Oh, they were all in. As the group laughed and partied, a police patrol car rolled up. Panic set in.
Starting point is 01:34:17 The teen scrambled, passing the bag around like a hot potato. In the end, Tony made a split-second decision. She kicked the bag under the front seat, thinking the cops wouldn't find it there. Spoiler alert, they did. When the officers asked who it belonged to, everyone went silent. And here's the thing, Tony's friends were all over 18. According to Utah law, possession of drugs as an adult could mean jail time. But Tony?
Starting point is 01:34:45 She was still a minor. The group figured out the math. If Tony took the fall, she'd only spend 90 days in a juvenile facility. Reluctantly, Tony confessed, saying the marijuana was hers. Her so-called friends didn't even try to stop her. Life inside, Tony's arrest shocked her family. It didn't add up, she wasn't the type of kid to mess with drugs. Regardless, the law was the law.
Starting point is 01:35:11 Soon enough, she found herself in a youth treatment center. The transition wasn't easy. First, Tony was a nervous wreck. She barely left her room, consumed by anxiety. But then, she met Victoria Ashley Mendoza, and everything changed. Victoria was the polar opposite of Tony. While Tony was sweet, bubbly, and approachable, Victoria was hardened by life. Her father, originally from Mexico, had died by suicide when Victoria was just ten.
Starting point is 01:35:41 After that, her family struggled to make ends meet, eventually moving to a rough neighborhood in Ogden, Utah. Victoria had a reputation. She skipped school, got into fights, and carried a knife, earning her a spot in the juvenile system. Despite their differences, Tony and Victoria hit it off. Over time, their friendship turned romantic. A toxic love story, when Tony's sentence ended in August 2010, the two girls stayed in touch. They wrote letters daily. Tonys were filled with love, but Victoria's had a darker edge. She often warned Tony's against being unfaithful, threatening violence if she did. Tony misinterpreted these threats as passionate declarations of love.
Starting point is 01:36:22 In September 2010, Victoria was released, and instead of visiting her terminally ill mother, she headed straight to Tony's house. Tony's parents were uneasy. Victoria's demeanor was unsettling, dark, edgy, and intense. But Tony was over the moon, so they reluctantly allowed Victoria to stay. What followed was a whirlwind of highs and lows. Victoria demanded to know everything about Tony's past relationships, a red flag that the family chose to ignore.
Starting point is 01:36:50 When Tony visited Victoria's neighborhood, it was like stepping into another world, a dangerous one. One day, during a gathering with Victoria's friends, things escalated. Accounts differ, but one version claims Victoria waved a knife around as a joke. Another version suggests she threatened someone out of jealousy. Either way, Tony was alarmed. When she asked why Victoria carried a knife, she got vague excuse. uses, it's for protection, or, I collect them. The relationship grew increasingly toxic. Victoria controlled who Tony spoke to, monitored her messages, and insisted on being involved
Starting point is 01:37:26 in every aspect of her life. When love turns to obsession, by 2012, Victoria's mother had passed away, leaving her with nowhere to go. Tony's family, despite their reservations, welcomed her into their home permanently. But Victoria's jealousy spiraled out of control. She accused Tony of being too affectionate with her stepbrothers, creating unnecessary drama. Tony, exhausted, began cutting off friends and avoiding social interactions altogether. Victoria's paranoia peaked when she cheated on Tony out of revenge, hoping to provoke a confession of infidelity. Instead, Tony ended the relationship, kicking Victoria out and blocking her on social media. Desperate to win her back, Victoria bombarded Tony with calls, messages, and pleas. When that failed,
Starting point is 01:38:12 she turned to YouTube, posting a six-minute video apologizing for everything. The mysterious disappearance. The fallout of their breakup set the stage for Tony's disappearance. Despite Victoria's public apology, Tony's friends urged him not to reconcile. Yet, Victoria's grip on Tony's life seemed unbreakable. On October 18, 2014, the chaos reached its peak. Messages circulated, rumors spread, and the truth remained elusive. What happened to Tony that night?
Starting point is 01:38:42 Why was he missing? As investigators dove deeper into the case, shocking secrets came to light, revealing the dangerous consequences of a love story gone wrong. A tale of love, manipulation, and tragedy, the story of Victoria and Toy. Have you ever come across a story so wild, so layered with drama, heartbreak, and chaos that it feels like a plot ripped from a movie? That's exactly what you're in for here. This is the story of Victoria and Toy, a relationship that started with love but spiraled into
Starting point is 01:39:10 control, manipulation, and ultimately, tragedy. Victoria was no stranger to making bold moves, and when things went south in her relationship, she turned to an unconventional platform to air her emotions, YouTube. She uploaded a six-minute video, which, on the surface, seemed like an apology. But trust me, it was anything but that. She starts the video fumbling her words, clearly unsure where to begin. Okay, so, I'm really confused on where to start right now, she says. From there, she dives into what she calls an apology. Spoiler alert, it wasn't. Victoria's so-called apology felt less like remorse and more like manipulation 101. She brought up a letter that wasn't even hers, it was written by Toi while she was still
Starting point is 01:39:55 locked up, a relic of a different time in their relationship. Instead of owning up to her actions, Victoria leaned into reminding Toi how much she loved her, how deeply she cared, and how much she wanted her back. At one point, she even pulls out a collage of photos that Toye had made for her. See this? Victoria says, holding up the collage. This proves how much we love each other. You made this for me because you care, and that's why we belong together. It was blatant manipulation, plain and simple. Her friends saw right through it, calling the video absurd and insincere. They told Toy not to fall for it. But sometimes love blinds us, and Toy, unfortunately, saw the video as heartfelt.
Starting point is 01:40:38 She called Victoria, and just like that, they were back together. For a while, things seemed to improve. Victoria moved back in with Toy's family, and their social media accounts were full of smiling photos, happy outings, and cheerful updates. Even Toy's mom, Dana Marie Anderson, felt like things were looking up, though she had her reservations. From time to time, she overheard the couple arguing, but when she tried to intervene, both girls brushed it off. Nothing to worry about, they'd say.
Starting point is 01:41:08 But Dana started noticing troubling signs. Taui began showing up with bruises, on her arms, her legs, her face. When Dana asked about them, Taui always had an excuse. I fell, she'd say. Or, I bumped into something. But the bruises didn't stop, and Dana's suspicions grew stronger. Her ex-husband, Casey, shared her concerns. things not right, he told Dana.
Starting point is 01:41:34 The relationship was turning toxic, and they both knew it. One night, things came to a head. Toy was texting a friend, laughing at a joke, when Victoria, consumed by jealousy, lost her temper. In a fit of rage, she punched Toy, splitting her lip and knocking out a tooth. When Toy returned home, Dana was horrified by her injuries. She demanded answers, but Toy, ever protective of Victoria, refused to implicate her. Instead, she made up a story about being attacked by a group of strangers.
Starting point is 01:42:05 Dana and Casey knew she was lying, but their hands were tied. Toy was an adult, and unless she pressed charges, there was nothing they could do. They decided to support her, hoping she'd eventually open up. By 2014, Toy seemed to be rebuilding her life. At 21, she was studying at the University of Salt Lake City and working a job in accounting. had found work as a security guard, and things appeared to be stabilizing. But beneath the surface, their relationship was crumbling. Toy was growing more independent.
Starting point is 01:42:37 She had new friends, a steady job, and savings in the bank. Victoria, on the other hand, couldn't handle the change. She grew increasingly controlling, bombarding Toy with calls and messages, desperate to keep her close. One evening, Toy confided in her best friend. I can't do this anymore, she admitted. I want out. I need to be free. Victoria is suffocating me. Her friend encouraged her to take the leap.
Starting point is 01:43:04 You deserve to be happy, she said. On October 17th, 2014, the couple attended a dinner party hosted by their friend Lacey. The plan was to have dinner, then hit up a party afterward. According to some accounts, they never made it to the party. Others say they did, but one thing is clear, the night took a dark turn. At the party, Toy was in high spirits, reconnecting with old friends and classmates. Victoria, however, was less than thrilled. She didn't know many people there and grew increasingly jealous as the night went on. At one point, she locked herself in the bathroom, presumably hoping Toi would come looking for her.
Starting point is 01:43:42 But Toi didn't. She stayed at the party, laughing, drinking, and enjoying herself. When Victoria finally emerged, she told Toi she was tired and wanted to leave. Begrudgingly, Toy agreed. On the way out, Lacey asked for a ride home. Toye said yes, and the three of them piled into the car, Toy driving, Lacey in the passenger seat, and Victoria brooding in the back. The drive was tense.
Starting point is 01:44:08 Victoria barely spoke, and the air was thick with unspoken resentment. When they dropped Lacey off, she sensed something was off. Take care, she said to Toi, lingering for a moment before heading inside. Hours later, chaos erupted. Lacey woke up to unsettling rumors. that Toy was dead. Panicked, she called Dana, who immediately went to check on her daughter. But Toy wasn't home, and her car was missing. Meanwhile, the truth about that night was slowly unraveling. After dropping Lacey off, the couple argued. Victoria accused Toye of being unfaithful,
Starting point is 01:44:43 hurling jealous accusations. Toy, fed up, finally snapped. I'm done, she said. I can't do this anymore. The argument escalated, and according to Victoria, Taui slapped her. Whether or not that's true, what happened next is undisputed, Victoria grabbed a knife and stabbed Taui 46 times. The attack was brutal. Toi had defensive wounds on her hands and arms, a testament to her desperate fight for survival. But in the end, she succumbed to her injuries, not from the stabs themselves, but from blood loss. Victoria didn't call for help. Instead, she pushed Toy's lifeless body into the passenger seat, drove to a church parking lot, and called her sister to confess. The aftermath was harrowing. Victoria was arrested and charged with first-degree murder.
Starting point is 01:45:32 During her trial, she painted herself as the victim, claiming she acted in self-defense. But the evidence told a different story. The autopsy revealed that none of the stabbed wounds were immediately fatal. If Victoria had called 911, Toye might have survived. Instead, she let her bleed out while making calls to her sister and a friend. In court, Victoria's cold demeanor shocked everyone. At one point, she admitted to a prior assault on Toi, saying, I knocked out her tooth, and her family helped cover it up. Her lack of remorse was chilling.
Starting point is 01:46:06 In the end, Victoria pled guilty and was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 16 years. But the story doesn't end there. In 2021, Victoria went viral on TikTok. videos of her surfaced, showing her smiling, chatting, and amassing a fan base. It turned out that during the pandemic, a friend had illegally recorded their virtual visits and posted the footage online. The family of Toy was devastated.
Starting point is 01:46:32 They reported the accounts and the videos were taken down, but the damage was done. To this day, Victoria has a small but loyal following, with fans creating tribute pages in her honor. So, what do you think? Should someone like Victoria have fans? Does her crime overshadow any chance of redemption? Or is the Internet's obsession with criminals just another symptom of our warped fascination with true crime? Let me know your thoughts.
Starting point is 01:46:58 They claimed to know who killed her. The police were skeptical, naturally, and their primary question was, how could they possibly know who killed Teresita? To this, Dr. Chua replied, she told us herself. This incredible story begins in 1929 in Dumaget City, Philippines, with the birth of a woman named Terracita Bossa. Born into a well-off family, Terracita was the only child of a respected lawyer and his wife. While little is known about her mother's occupation, her father's influence and the family's affluence allowed her access to some of the best educational opportunities.
Starting point is 01:47:32 Terracita attended the prestigious Assumption College of San Lorenzo in Makati before packing her bags to chase her dreams in the United States. Upon arriving in America, Terracita pursued her passion for music, earning a master's degree from Indiana University. But her ambitions didn't stop there. After completing her music studies, she took an entirely different turn, delving into medicine with a specialization in respiratory therapy. This shift eventually led to a job at Edgewater Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, where she worked as a respiratory therapist.
Starting point is 01:48:03 She settled into her new life in an apartment at 15B, Pine Grove Avenue, living alone but purposefully. Even with her demanding medical career, Terracida refused to abandon her love for music. She began working on a doctoral thesis in music at Loyola University, balancing her professional responsibilities with her academic pursuits. Beyond this, she also took piano lessons and even started writing a book. Despite her packed schedule, Teresita led a modest and reserved life. At 47 years old, she neither smoked, drank, nor partied.
Starting point is 01:48:36 Her social circle was small, and one of her few close friends was Ruth Lope. On the evening of February 21st, 1977, Ruth called Terracita around 7.30 p.m. to catch up. The two friends chatted for about half an hour, discussing their daily lives and plans. During the conversation, Terracita casually mentioned she had plans to meet a friend that evening. The call ended around 8 p.m., leaving Ruth with no reason to suspect anything unusual about her friend's night. But at approximately 8.30 p.m., two neighbors in the Pine Grove Avenue building noticed smoke billowing from Terracita apartment. There were no flames or cries for help, so they assumed it might be a kitchen mishap.
Starting point is 01:49:16 Nevertheless, they approached the building's concierge and asked him to check on her. When attempts to contact Teresita by phone and doorbell failed, the concierge called the fire department. When firefighters arrived, they quickly extinguished the flames but discovered a chilling scene that would haunt them. Teresita Bossa was dead. And it wasn't the fire that killed her. Her body was found under a burning mattress, but it bore no signs of smoke inhalation.
Starting point is 01:49:42 Instead, she had been stabbed multiple times. A butcher knife remained lodged in her chest. Adding to the horror, her body was completely naked, though her clothes were neatly folded beside her. There were no fingerprints, no clear evidence, and no witnesses. The only clue was a cryptic note written by Terracita herself, get tickets for AS. The police began investigating immediately, questioning her friends, co-workers. and acquaintances.
Starting point is 01:50:09 They quickly learned that Terracita had mentioned meeting a man that night. This led investigators to theorize that she'd gone on a date that took a dark turn. Perhaps the man sought something more than conversation, and when Terracita refused, he became violent, ultimately killing her in setting the apartment ablaze to cover his tracks. This theory, however, was thrown into question when the autopsy results revealed Terracita had not been sexually assaulted. Her nudity seemed staged, adding to the confusion. Investigators turned back to her social circle, asking if anyone recognized the initials,
Starting point is 01:50:41 A.S. Unfortunately, no one did. Only one person's initials came close, but that individual had an alibi and was nowhere near Terracita's apartment that night. Some sources suggest that Terracita had a romantic partner at the time, but this individual was also ruled out after a thorough investigation. With no fingerprints, no physical evidence, and only two enigmatic initials, the case quickly went cold. The press lost interest, the Chicago police moved on to more solvable crimes, and it seemed
Starting point is 01:51:11 Terracita's tragic story would remain a mystery forever. But six months later, in August 1977, an unexpected phone call breathed new life into the case. The Evanston Police Department had received a bizarre tip that warranted the attention of detectives Joseph Statula and Lee Eppelin. The tip was so strange, in fact, that they were asked to meet the informant in person to fully understand the situation. The detectives drove to the home of Dr. Jose Chua and his wife, Remy, both Filipino immigrants.
Starting point is 01:51:41 Dr. Chua was a surgical assistant at Franklin Boulevard Community Hospital, while Remy worked as a respiratory therapist, much like Terracita. In fact, the two women had briefly worked together at Edgewater Hospital. Though they weren't close friends, they were friendly enough to have shared a few coffee breaks in the past. So why was this couple claiming to know the identity of Terracita's killer? Dr. Chua explained that Remy had been experiencing strange episodes, trances, to be precise. During these episodes, her demeanor, voice, and even her expression changed, as if she were
Starting point is 01:52:13 possessed by another person. According to Dr. Chua, the person who seemed to take over his wife's body was none other than Terracita Bassa. Through these trances, Terracita provided chilling details about her murder. She named her killer as Alan Showery, a co-worker and supposed friend. She alleged that Alan had come to her apartment under the guise of fixing her television but had instead stabbed her, stolen her jewelry, and set her apartment on fire. One specific piece of jewelry she mentioned was a unique ring, which she claimed Alan had given to his girlfriend after the murder. Initially, the Chua's hesitated to report these episodes to the police, fearing they would be dismissed as lunatics.
Starting point is 01:52:51 But as the details of the visions became more specific, Dr. Chua felt compelled to act. After all, he was a respected professional, not the type to fabricate stories or chase ghosts. When Detective Stachula and Eplin heard the Chua's account, they were understandably skeptical but had little to lose by following up. The case was cold, and no other leads had surfaced. They decided to visit Alan Showery's home on August 11, 1977. Alan initially denied any involvement in Terracita's murder, claiming he hadn't even visited her apartment that night.
Starting point is 01:53:24 But as the detectives pressed him, his... story began to change. He admitted to stopping by her place to help fix her television but insisted he left after a brief visit. However, his girlfriend, Yanka Camel, contradicted his claims. She confirmed that Alan had met with Terracita that evening and, when questioned further, revealed that Alan had recently given her several pieces of jewelry, including a ring that matched the description provided during Remy's trances. The detectives showed the recovered jewelry to Terracita's family, who immediately identified it as hers. This was the breakthrough the case needed. Faced with mounting evidence, Alan Showery confessed. He admitted to killing Terracida out of greed. He had been struggling financially and saw an opportunity to steal from a friend who trusted him. That night, he had lured her into a false sense of security before stabbing her, staging the scene to look like a sexual assault, and setting her apartment on fire. Alan's confession seemed to seal the case, but his attorney,
Starting point is 01:54:21 William Swano, argued that the evidence, much of it derived from a supposed ghost, was inadmissible in court. The first trial ended in a mistrial. However, during a second trial in February 1979, Alan unexpectedly pled guilty. He was sentenced to 14 years for murder and additional concurrent sentences for armed robbery and arson. Despite the severity of his crimes, Alan served only four years before being released on parole. The case of Terracita Bossa remains one of the most bizarre in criminal history. Some skeptics believe Remy's trances were not supernatural, but rather a subconscious manifestation of details she might have overheard at the hospital.
Starting point is 01:55:00 Others argue that the accuracy of the information she provided defies logical explanation. What do you think? Was this a case of genuine possession, or was there another, more earthly explanation? Regardless, Teresita Bossa's voice, whether from beyond the grave or through extraordinary coincidence, helped bring her killer to justice. It's been just a month since you broke up, isn't that a little soon? Or maybe it's time to face the fact that this is over. Let's dive in.
Starting point is 01:55:28 Meet Svetlana Orlova. Her friends just called her Lana. She was born in St. Petersburg, Russia. Details about her early life or family are scarce, but we do know her mom's name was Tamara or Lova. Tamara and Lana were close, that much is clear. From tomorrow, we get a glimpse of Lana's personality, she was cheerful, positive. and hardworking. In the late 90s, Lana packed her bags and moved from Russia to Spain,
Starting point is 01:55:54 aiming to carve out a better life. She landed in Alicante. At first, it wasn't easy. She stayed at a hostel, the cheapest she could find, and struggled to find work. Eventually, though, she scored a job in hospitality. Her colleagues and bosses liked her, she managed to save a little money, and soon after, she met a man. She fell hard. Sources are split on his name, Some say Raphael, others don't bother to mention it, but what we do know is that he worked as a security guard at a shopping center. He was tall, fit, and loved going to the gym. Apparently, they hit it off quickly. Some accounts say they got married, while others skipped the wedding part entirely.
Starting point is 01:56:36 What's clear is that they had a son named Christian and moved into an apartment near San Juan Beach. Life seemed good, or so it appeared from the outside. When Christian was still a baby, Lana's mom, Tamara, visited from Russia, to meet her grandson. Neighbors often saw them strolling around, chatting happily. On the surface, everything seemed perfect. But behind closed doors, cracks were forming. Lana looked happy but also sad, a strange mix that neighbors couldn't quite explain.
Starting point is 01:57:05 Her husband was hardly around, and when he was, trouble wasn't far behind. He had a knack for picking fights with neighbors, while Lana stayed quiet and low profile. her quiet nature, those who did get to know Lana found her sweet and kind. She loved dogs and would always stop to pet them. Still, her sadness didn't go unnoticed. Neighbors suspected something was off but had no proof of abuse. One neighbor, who knew Lana and her son well, described Christian as polite and respectful. The kids in the neighborhood, however, didn't play with him.
Starting point is 01:57:39 Their parents didn't let them because Lana was a foreigner. Over time, Lana's relationship with her partner ended. After the breakup, neighbors noticed her with a new man. This is where things get murky. Some say they got together while both were single, others claimed they started seeing each other while still with their respective partners. Regardless, Lana seemed happier at first. Her new boyfriend was Ricardo Antonio Navarro Romero, born March 27, 1977.
Starting point is 01:58:07 Ricardo worked as a butcher and, according to neighbors, had a personality eerily similar to Lana's ex, rough and domineering. At first, things looked promising. Lana appeared happy, even radiant. But by 2004, her life took another turn. She and Christian moved into Ricardo's home after allegedly being evicted. Initially, she seemed optimistic about the relationship, but Ricardo's dark side soon emerged, along with issues from his family. According to one of Lana's closest friends, a Russian businessman named Eugen Lagan, Ricardo was possessive to the point of obsession. He needed to know where she was, who she was with, and when she'd be back. It was suffocating. One of Lana's friends recounted running into her at a store after a long time.
Starting point is 01:58:52 Excited, he tried to hug her, but she froze and asked him not to touch her. Ricardo was watching, she said, and any contact with another man, even a friend, would lead to trouble at home. Unfortunately, Ricardo wasn't the only source of her misery. His parents also treated her poorly. Ricardo's mom referred to Lana as, the woman who would ruin her son, and his dad allegedly made threats. There were times when Lana tried to escape. Once, she fled to a friend's house with Christian. Ricardo followed, argued his way in, and hit Lana in the face so hard she bled, all in front of her friend and her son. Despite this, Lana returned to him. Maybe she believed his promises to change. Maybe she was too scared to leave
Starting point is 01:59:36 for good. Neighbors began noticing disturbing signs. Lana would flee the house in her pajamas, dragging Christian along with a suitcase, only to return shortly after. Ricardo always managed to talk her into coming back. To outsiders, it seemed like a cycle of promises, apologies, and more violence. By 2007, Lana had had enough. She opened up to her friends about the abuse, and told her mother she wanted to escape to Russia with Christian. The problem? Her ex-husband wouldn't agree to let her take their son. Without Christian, she wouldn't leave.
Starting point is 02:00:11 Still, the thought lingered, she needed to get out. Somehow, Ricardo found out about her plans. Perhaps he overheard, or maybe someone told him. Either way, he took her documents and locked her in the house. That was the final straw. On March 30th, 2007, Lana went to the police and filed a complaint against Ricardo, also requesting a restraining order. It seemed like a turning point, but then, days later, she withdrew the complaint. No one knows why. Months passed. On October 15,
Starting point is 02:00:43 2007, Lana called her friend Eugene in a panic. Please, save my life, she begged. Without hesitation, Eugene drove to pick her and Christian up. Details about what happened that day are unclear, but it's believed Ricardo assaulted her again. This time, she didn't back down. She filed another complaint, and on October 31st, Ricardo was sentenced to an 11-month prison term and a 500-meter restraining order. But there was a catch, the sentence wasn't official until Ricardo was notified, and the police couldn't find him. He was always one step ahead. While the legal system struggled to catch Ricardo, Lana's life became a nightmare. Wherever she went, he was there. She started to believe he had put a GPS tracker on her phone. To escape his constant
Starting point is 02:01:30 surveillance, she changed her appearance, cutting her hair, dying it black, and altering her wardrobe. Despite her efforts, the fear never left her. She thought maybe, just maybe, he'd eventually get tired of stalking her. But she was wrong. One day, Lana received an invitation to appear on a popular TV show, El Diario de Patricia. The program often reunited loved ones, and with her mother's birthday approaching, Lana assumed it was a surprise from tomorrow. Even the show's producers hinted at a family reunion, so she agreed to participate. On November 14, Lana arrived at the studio. She was excited, believing she'd see her mother. But when the moment came, she was blindsided. Instead of tomorrow, Ricardo walked onto the stage.
Starting point is 02:02:17 He proposed to her on live TV, with the audience cheering and clapping. Lana's discomfort was palpable. She said no, clearly and firmly. Yet, the damage was done. She had been publicly humiliated and betrayed by a show that failed to investigate Ricardo's background or consider her safety. For days later, Lana's life came to a tragic end. On November 18, 2007, Ricardo repeatedly called her. When she didn't answer, he went to her apartment building, asking neighbors where, the Russian woman, lived.
Starting point is 02:02:49 Eventually, someone opened the door without question. Ricardo stormed in, shouting. A neighbor heard screams and called the police, but it was too late. late. Ricardo stabbed Lana multiple times. She was rushed to the hospital but died the next day, November 19th. That same night, police went to Ricardo's parents' house. Ricardo claimed he had spent the evening with them, and they backed him up. But the police noticed cuts on his hands. When questioned, Ricardo said he'd injured himself cutting cheese. The excuse didn't hold up. A search of his home revealed blood evidence, and on November 20th, he was arrested. The case
Starting point is 02:03:27 gained national attention, largely because of the infamous TV appearance. People were outraged. How could the show invite a known abuser without checking his history? Why hadn't anyone intervened? The incident sparked a broader conversation about domestic violence and media responsibility in Spain. On March 6, 2009, Ricardo was convicted of murder and sentenced to 21 years in prison, 19 for Lana's murder and 2 for continuous abuse. The producers of El Diario de Patricia publicly admitted that Lana had no idea Ricardo would be there, though they defended their vetting process. The show's director claimed they asked both parties if there were any legal issues or restraining orders, and Lana reportedly said no. Still, the public wasn't
Starting point is 02:04:11 satisfied. So, what do you think? Could this tragedy have been prevented? In just a few minutes, he sketched a portrait of Lindsay. Beneath the drawing, he signed his name, Tatsuya Ichihashi, along with his email and phone number. As he said, said goodbye to the girls, he asked Lindsay to call him before he left. When Lindsay's roommates heard about this interaction, they were stunned. They couldn't believe she had led a stranger like that into their apartment. They told her she was reckless, asking what on earth she was thinking by inviting a potential psychopath into their home.
Starting point is 02:04:44 Lindsay and Hawker was born on December 30, in Coventry, England. She was one of three daughters in the Hawker family, children of Julia and William Hawker, better known as Bill. The Hawker family was clothes-knit, often spending quality time together. Lindsay and her sisters, Lisa and Louise, grew up in a loving environment filled with shared adventures. They went on outings, picnics, and holidays, with a particular love for traveling, a passion Lindsay inherited and carried into her adult life. Described by everyone as an outstanding young woman, Lindsay excelled in all aspects of life. She was ambitious and full of enthusiasm, always looking for ways to grow and achieve. Her academic achievements were a testament to her
Starting point is 02:05:27 determination. Lindsay attended King Henry the eighth school in Coventry, graduating with excellent grades. But her true academic brilliance shown later. In 2006, she graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in biology, earning first-class honors, the highest distinction possible in England. Her hard work and dedication paid off, making her one of the top students in her class. Initially, Lindsay planned to pursue a master's degree, but she was burnt out from years of intense studying. She wanted to advance her education but also longed to explore the world. After discussing it with her parents, she decided to take a break and travel before continuing her studies. Lindsay's plan was to work in different countries, experience new cultures,
Starting point is 02:06:11 meet new people, and broaden her horizons. Adding to the excitement, she intended to do this with her boyfriend, Ryan Garcide. The couple had been together for about four years, but their studies had always taken precedence, leaving them little time to explore the world together. Their dream was to move to Japan, but Ryan's obligations delayed their plans. Some accounts suggest he was tied up with his studies, while others claim work commitments were the issue. Regardless, Ryan wouldn't be able to travel until the summer of 2007. He asked Lindsay to wait so they could embark on the journey together, but she was eager to start her adventure. She couldn't wait another six months, risk finding no work, or miss out on the opportunity
Starting point is 02:06:51 entirely. So, she decided to go to Japan on her own, planning for Ryan to join her later. Lindsay discovered an opening to teach English at Nova, Japan's largest private language school. After completing the necessary paperwork, she moved to Tokyo in October 2006. Though she was completely alone, she adapted remarkably well. Lindsay quickly became friends with her two flatmates, and the school staff adored. her. Her dedication to her students set her apart. She not only taught them English but stayed after class to help those who needed extra support. Her cheerful and kind nature made her
Starting point is 02:07:27 beloved by her peers and students alike. Outside of work, Lindsay built a social circle, making friends and enjoying Tokyo's vibrant lifestyle. She maintained daily contact with her family, sending emails, chatting on Facebook, and having Skype calls. Lindsay's parents were reassured by her constant communication, though they still worried. Tokyo was, by all accounts, incredibly safe. Lindsay often said she could walk alone at night or through quiet alleys without fear. She was impressed by the politeness and respectfulness of the people she encountered. However, her parents repeatedly urged her to stay cautious, reminding her that dangers could be found anywhere.
Starting point is 02:08:07 Lindsay always reassured them, even joking that she knew martial arts and could defend herself if necessary. On the morning of Sunday, March 25, 2007, Lindsay prepared for her day. She had a lesson with a student at a coffee shop before heading to the academy. After packing her bag, she said goodbye to her roommates, hopped on her bicycle, and left. Hours passed, and Lindsay didn't return home. As evening approached, her roommates became concerned. By nightfall, they decided to file a missing person report at the local police station. However, the official version of events suggests the police mishandled the case, failing to notify the proper department in effectively dismissing the report.
Starting point is 02:08:47 Unofficially, there's speculation that Lindsay's status as a foreigner worked against her. Foreign women, especially those working in hospitality or entertainment, were often dismissed by authorities, who stereotypically labeled them as hostesses. In Japan, hostesses work in bars, engaging with customers to encourage them to spend more. While the job itself is entirely respectable, hostesses often face stigma. When one goes missing, the police reportedly don't prioritize the case, assuming the woman left willingly or dismissing the situation entirely. Lindsay's roommate's efforts to report her missing were met with skepticism, and their concerns
Starting point is 02:09:23 were brushed aside. The next day, Lindsay's absence became more concerning. She missed work, an unusual occurrence for someone as responsible as her. By 2.30 p.m., Nova contacted her parents, asking if they knew where she was or if she had mentioned any problems. Panic set in as her family realized something was terribly wrong. Lindsay's father, Bill, immediately booked flights to Tokyo for himself and Ryan, determined to find his daughter. Meanwhile, the Academy filed a formal police report, which carried more weight given Nova's prestige in Japan. The police began investigating, piecing together of Lindsay's
Starting point is 02:09:58 last known movements. Although nothing seemed unusual on March 25th itself, unsettling details emerged from the days leading up to her disappearance. On the night of March 21st, Lindsay had gone out with friends to a bar called Hippie Dippy Dippy Doe. They had a great time, enjoying drinks and laughter before heading home early since everyone had commitments the next day. Lindsay took a train back alone, walking along the platform when a man approached her. He claimed to be one of her students, praising her teaching and expressing admiration. But Lindsay didn't recognize him. She knew all her students and was confident she'd never seen this man before.
Starting point is 02:10:35 Politely, she explained he must be mistaken, excused herself, and left. As she biked home, Lindsay noticed the same man following her. Alarmed, she peddled faster, but he caught up to her as she reached her apartment. Once again, he insisted he was a fan of her teaching, nearly idolizing her. Lindsay firmly told him she didn't know him and asked him to leave her alone. The man was persistent, claiming he wanted to learn English, travel abroad, and improve himself. himself. Lindsay reiterated that she only taught at the academy, not privately, and urged him to leave. He then asked for a glass of water, saying he was parched. Lindsay hesitated but
Starting point is 02:11:14 felt reassured knowing her roommates were home. She decided it was safe to let him in. Once inside, the man drank his water and asked for paper and a pencil. In just a few minutes, he sketched a portrait of Lindsay, signing it with his contact information. Introducing himself as Totsuya Ichahashi, he thanked her for the water, said goodbye, and left. When Lindsay's roommates learned about this, they were horrified. They couldn't believe she had let such a strange man into their home after he had followed and harassed her. They warned her to stay away from him, emphasizing how dangerous he seemed. Lindsay, however, felt sorry for him. Against their advice, she agreed to meet Tatsuya on March 25th to give him a private lesson. To ensure
Starting point is 02:11:57 her safety, she arranged to meet him in a busy public place, a coffee shop. Although there are no photos of the exact location, it's believed to have been one of the Doder Cafe branches. Let me tell you a story that sounds straight out of a crime thriller, but sadly, it's real. I stumbled upon some details that had me spiraling down a rabbit hole of disbelief. The story begins with Lindsay Hawker, an English teacher living in Japan. Her life took a tragic turn, one that shocked not just Japan but the entire world. First, let's address a quirky detail. People were hunting for images of a cafe, the place Lindsay visited before her disappearance. Strangely, no solid visuals came up. However, two similar names popped up, look Cafe doubter and simply doubter.
Starting point is 02:12:42 Are they the same place? Nobody's sure, but it's worth mentioning. Before vanishing, Lindsay posted something odd on Facebook. It said, I love you all. Don't worry about that guy who followed me the other day, Japan is crazy. I miss you. Kisses. Cryptic, right? But soon, the police would uncover the layers of this horrifying tale. When Lindsay's friends handed over the sketch, complete with a name, email, phone number, and more, the police immediately got to work. They reviewed surveillance footage from the cafe. What they found was Erie. Early that morning, Lindsay and a man named Totsuya Ichahashi had met at the cafe. At first glance, it seemed like a casual meet-up. They ordered food, sat down, and
Starting point is 02:13:29 chatted. Lindsay appeared to be tutoring Totsuya, who acted attentive, at least for a while. Then, something odd happened. Totsuya rummaged through his pockets and pretended he didn't have his wallet. No money meant no payment, for the food or Lindsay's lesson. You could see the discomfort on Lindsay's face. She glanced nervously at the waiter, then at other customers, probably wishing she could vanish. Minutes later, the two left the cafe and hopped into a taxi parked outside. And that's where things started to spiral into darkness. The big question now, who was this Tatsuya Ichihashi? Shockingly, the police figured it out in hours, and it wasn't what anyone expected. Totsuya Ichihashi was born on January 5, 1979, in Gifu Prefecture. His parents,
Starting point is 02:14:16 a dentist and a doctor, gave him a comfortable, stable upbringing. He lacked for nothing financially. He graduated in 2005 from Chiba University with a degree in horticulture. Sounds like a decent start, right? Not so much. By all accounts, Tatsuya wasn't a typical student. Former classmates described him as a loner who rarely spoke to anyone. Instead, he spent his days engrossed in violent manga. Things got weirder when he was caught harassing a female classmate. The university issued him a warning. After graduation, Tatsuya didn't pursue a career in horticulture. Heck, he didn't pursue anything. He had no direction and no ambition. His parents, perhaps too indulgent, rented him a small apartment in Ichikawa, Chiba, and gave him a monthly
Starting point is 02:15:05 allowance of 100,000 yen. Picture this, a grown man being pampered like a child, doing nothing productive. Tatsuya had no criminal record but did have a shady past. Six years earlier, a woman had a accused him of assault and attempted robbery. The charges were serious, but his wealthy parents hired a top-notch lawyer and settled out of court. By the time he turned 28, Tatsuya was coasting through life. He spent his days at the gym, cycling 25 kilometers daily, and dabbling in martial arts, he was even a black belt. To outsiders, he might have seemed ordinary.
Starting point is 02:15:40 But beneath the surface, there was darkness. One day, Tatsuya's obsession began. He spotted Lindsay, a beautiful Englishwoman, and became infatuated. She was always smiling, carrying an academy folder, and exuded an energy that drew him in. But instead of approaching her like a normal person, Tatsuya turned into a stalker. He studied her routine, found out where she lived, and who she lived with. One day, he approached her on a train. Lindsay was startled, understandably.
Starting point is 02:16:10 She got off the train, hopped on her bike, and peddled home. Tatsuya followed her. His intentions weren't just creepy, they were terrifying. Here's where things get truly disturbing. After cornering Lindsay, Tatsuya claimed he wanted to learn English and asked her to be his tutor. He even handed her a sketch of her own face, along with his contact details. He was patient, waiting for her to respond. When Lindsay told her friends about the incident, they brushed it off as an innocent crush. Nobody thought to call the police. In hindsight, this was a grave mistake. The police pieced together the events leading up to Lindsay's disappearance.
Starting point is 02:16:49 Two officers visited Tatsuya's apartment to ask him some questions. Meanwhile, another team tracked down the taxi driver who had picked up Lindsay and Totsuya. The driver's account was chilling. On the morning of March 25, Lindsay and Totsuya got into his taxi. Tatsuya apologized profusely, promising to pay the fare once they reached his place. Lindsay appeared uneasy, but the driver didn't think much of it. When they arrived at Totsyus apartment, Lindsay asked the driver to wait, repeating several times that she wouldn't be long.
Starting point is 02:17:21 Seven minutes passed, and the driver, impatient, drove off without her. By March 26, the police were certain something was wrong. Two officers staked out Totsyus apartment. They had no physical evidence, so they couldn't force their way in. But they knew he was inside. Lights off, curtains drawn, yet there was movement. When they knocked, he didn't answer. They called for backup.
Starting point is 02:17:46 By 7 p.m., nine officers surrounded the building. But Tatsuya escaped, slipping out through a fire escape with a backpack. The police chased him but couldn't keep up. Frustrated, they searched his apartment. What they found was horrifying. The place was a mess, with bloodstains in several rooms. Lindsay's belongings, including the clothes she wore when she disappeared, were in Totsuya's room. But the most gruesome discovery was on the balcony.
Starting point is 02:18:13 A bathtub filled with soil. Inside, they found Lindsay's lifeless body. Forensic experts pieced together what had happened. On March 25, Tatsuya had attacked Lindsay as soon as they entered his apartment. She fought back, she knew martial arts, but he overpowered her, strangling her in a fit of rage. After killing her, he shaved her head and placed her body in the bathtub. The next day, he bought soil and compost, covering her remains. heard noises, dragging sounds, thuds, but didn't think to intervene.
Starting point is 02:18:47 Tatsuya even tried to accelerate decomposition by sprinkling chemicals over the soil. His plan was grotesque, let the body decompose and dispose of the remains later. But the police acted faster than he anticipated. Lindsay's murder devastated her family. Her parents were haunted by guilt. Her mother couldn't bring herself to bathe for two years. Her sisters lost not just a sibling but their best friend. Tokyo was plastered with 30,000 posters of Totsuya's face.
Starting point is 02:19:15 The media covered the case extensively, but the manhunt dragged on for years. By 2008, the police had received 8,000 tips but were no closer to catching him. Meanwhile, Tatsuya's family faced scrutiny. They had enabled his lifestyle, paying his rent and expenses. His mother eventually made a public apology, begging her son to surrender. But Tatsuya remained elusive. Incredibly, he gained a twisted fan base. Some people admired him for evading capture.
Starting point is 02:19:46 They shared his photos online, calling him attractive. It was sickening. Then, in October 2009, a breakthrough came. A beauty clinic in Nagoya contacted the police. A man had come in for rhinoplasty, and his scars and moles matched Tatsuya's description. The clinic provided before and after photos. The police distributed these images nationwide. On November 10, a passerby spotted Totsuya waiting for a ferry and called the authorities.
Starting point is 02:20:15 Finally, he was arrested. Tatsuya's trial was emotional. Lindsay's family wanted the death penalty, but the court sentenced him to life imprisonment. They believed he could reform. However, Tatsuya's actions post-trial showed otherwise. He wrote a book detailing his crime, his two years on the run, and his surgeries. It became a bestseller. He promised to donate the proceeds to Lindsay's family, but they rejected the offer.
Starting point is 02:20:41 To them, the book was an insult. If that wasn't enough, in 2013, a movie based on Tatsuya's book was released. The producers claimed it focused on his internal struggle, but Lindsay's family saw it as exploitation. A friend of the family summed it up, how would you feel if your daughter's killer turned her death into entertainment? The case raises tough questions. Tatuya have been allowed to profit from his crime? Does the justice system's leniency encourage
Starting point is 02:21:08 such behavior? And what about the people who idolized him? One thing certain, Lindsay's story is a tragic reminder of how dangerous obsession can be. The unraveling of a tragedy, the shocking story of Shana Hoobers. In October 2012, a fateful night led to a case that gripped the nation with its bizarre twists and chilling revelations. Shana Hoobers, a 21-year-old college graduate, placed a desperate 911 call that would forever change her life and spark a debate that still lingers, was it self-defense, or was it cold-blooded murder? The 911 call that started at all, the call came through just after 8.30 p.m. on October 12, 2012. Shana's voice was frantic yet oddly composed as she explained to the dispatcher what had
Starting point is 02:21:51 happened. She claimed her boyfriend, Ryan Poston, had attacked her, slammed her into furniture, and humiliated her. In the heat of the moment, he allegedly reached for a gun. In her version, she acted in self-defense, resting the weapon from his grasp and firing it. But there was an immediate dissonance between her words and the reality officers would soon discover. Ryan's body bore not one, not two, but six gunshot wounds. Five of those shots had already incapacitated him, but Shana had apparently fired a final, fatal round directly into his face.
Starting point is 02:22:24 This detail alone set off alarms for investigators. When police arrived, they found a chaotic but curiously inconsistent scene. Shana had claimed there had been a struggle, yet nothing in the apartment suggested a violent altercation. Furniture remained unmoved, and no signs of the supposed physical fight were evident. She described herself as terrified, yet she showed no visible injuries. When offered a medical evaluation, she refused outright. An interrogation unlike any other.
Starting point is 02:22:53 Once at the police station, Shana requested a lawyer, effectively halting any direct questioning. Yet, bizarrely, she didn't stop talking. Over the next three hours, Shana delivered an unprompted, uninterrupted monologue. She spoke about Ryan, their relationship, the shooting, and even seemingly trivial details. She laughed, cried, sang, and recounted memories, some irrelevant, some damning. At one point, she eerily joked about Ryan's desire to have cosmetic surgery. He wanted a nose job, she said with a giggle. I gave him one.
Starting point is 02:23:28 Detectives watched in disbelief as she oscillated between grief and casual indifference. Her behavior was erratic, oscillating from foe sobbing to outright gloating. She even mused aloud, I wondered if anyone will ever marry me knowing I killed my boyfriend, a twisted relationship. To understand what led to that night, investigators had to dig into Shana and Ryan's tumultuous relationship. Ryan Poston was a 29-year-old attorney with a bright future. Charismatic and successful, he had a reputation for being able.
Starting point is 02:23:56 ambitious but somewhat reserved in his personal life. Shana, on the other hand, was younger, vibrant, and deeply infatuated with him. However, friends and family described their dynamic as toxic. Ryan reportedly tried to end the relationship several times, but Shana resisted, often showing up uninvited or flooding him with text messages. Some messages bordered on obsession, while others hinted at her emotional instability. Ryan confided in friends that he felt trapped and even fearful of Shana, describing her behavior as erratic and possessive.
Starting point is 02:24:28 The night of the murder. On the night of October 12, Ryan had plans to meet Miss Ohio, a woman he had recently started seeing. Shana was aware of this and reportedly visited his apartment to confront him. What exactly transpired in those final moments remains a matter of dispute, but the aftermath was undeniably brutal. Ryan lay dead, his body riddled with bullets. Shana's initial account painted Ryan as the aggressor, but inconsistencies quickly emerged.
Starting point is 02:24:54 She claimed self-defense, yet the autopsy revealed that some of the shots were fired while Ryan was already incapacitated. Furthermore, she admitted during her rambling confession that she had shot him even after he had fallen. I couldn't bear to see him suffer, she rationalized, a statement that only added to the chilling nature of the case. The trial of Shana Hoobers. The trial began on April 13, 2015, and Shana's defense was clear, she was a victim of domestic abuse, acting in self-defense against an unstable, violent partner. Her attorneys argued that Ryan had a history of psychological issues exacerbated by medications such as Xanax and Adderall. They claimed these drugs, known to cause mood swings in rare cases, may have pushed him to the edge. The prosecution, however, painted a starkly different picture.
Starting point is 02:25:42 They described Shana as a jealous and obsessive ex-girlfriend who couldn't accept rejection. To support their case, they presented damning text message. and witness testimonies. Friends of Ryan testified about Shana's relentless harassment, including instances where she entered his home without permission. A former cellmate of Shainas even claimed she had bragged about the murder, calling it the ultimate way to keep someone from leaving. One particularly chilling piece of evidence was a series of text messages Shana had sent to Friends weeks before the murder. In these messages, she joked about taking Ryan to a shooting range and accidentally shooting him. him. Though her defense dismissed these as dark humor, they painted a sinister picture of
Starting point is 02:26:21 premeditation. The verdict and a shocking turn of events. After five hours of deliberation, the jury found Shana Hoobar's guilty of murder and sentenced her to 40 years in prison. But the case was far from over. It was later discovered that one of the jurors was a convicted felon, rendering the trial invalid under Kentucky law. A retrial was scheduled for August 2018. In the second trial, Shana took the stand in her own defense. This time, her story evolved. She alleged that her father had abused her as a child, drawing parallels between him and Ryan. She claimed Ryan often humiliated her, pressured her to undergo cosmetic surgery, and coerced her into unwanted situations. The defense also introduced a psychological evaluation diagnosing Shana
Starting point is 02:27:06 with borderline personality disorder, arguing this explained her erratic behavior. Despite these efforts, the jury remained unconvinced. On August 28, 2018, Shana was convicted again, this time receiving a life sentence with the possibility of parole after 20 years. She will be eligible for release in 2032. Life behind bars, even in prison, Shana continued to make headlines. In 2018, she married a fellow inmate, Unique Taylor, though the marriage ended in divorce less than a year later. Shana has since given multiple interviews, expressing remorse for her actions and claiming to have changed. She often speaks about her faith, her hopes for the future, and her regret over the choices that led her to this point.
Starting point is 02:27:50 Public reactions and lingering questions, the case of Shana Hoobers remains polarizing. Some see her as a manipulative murderer who carefully orchestrated Ryan's death, while others view her as a deeply troubled young woman pushed to the brink by a toxic relationship. The contradictions in her behavior, her laughter during interrogation, her inconsistent stories, and her courtroom antics, leave room for debate. Did Shana act in self-defense, as she claimed, or was this a calculated act of jealousy? The truth likely lies somewhere in between, obscured by the complexities of human emotion and the tragic consequences of a relationship gone horribly wrong. At its core, this case serves as a stark reminder of how
Starting point is 02:28:29 love can turn into obsession and how unresolved conflicts can spiral into irreversible actions. As Shana Hoobers continues to serve her sentence, the legacy of her actions lingers, a chilling tale of love, loss, and the lengths to which some will go when pushed to the edge. How it all began, a chilling February night. It all started on the night of February 19, 2015, when Samantha Nicole Wolford, a 26-year-old mother, and her husband, Ernie Ibarra, 29, were winding down from a long, tiring day. Samantha had spent hours at the hospital visiting her best friend, while Ernie had been busy with work.
Starting point is 02:29:04 At around 2 a.m., Samantha's life took a turn straight out of a horror movie. Three masked strangers burst into their home. They stormed into the master bedroom, tied Samantha's hands behind her back, assaulted Ernie, and then kidnapped him. The scene was chaos, the kind of chaos no one could have anticipated. In the quiet stillness that followed, Samantha, trembling with fear and bound at the wrists, managed to reach her phone. Using her nose, she dialed her mother's number. Through panicked sobs and gasps, she told her mother what had just happened.
Starting point is 02:29:36 However, her mother, unable to help directly from afar, called Samantha's sister, Ginger, and asked her to check on the situation. When Ginger arrived, she found the house eerily quiet but full of unanswered questions. There were no visible signs of forced entry, the kids were still asleep, and the chaos Samantha described didn't entirely match what Ginger saw. What had really happened that night? Who was Samantha Wolford? Born in Texas in 1989, Samantha was the eldest of three daughters.
Starting point is 02:30:06 From an early age, she was charismatic and craved attention. Samantha was the type who could light up a room, or demand the spotlight, wherever she went. Her personality was outgoing, colorful, and sometimes eccentric, which was mirrored in her ever-changing hairstyles and dramatic makeup. But Samantha didn't just want attention, she wanted fame. And not just the kind you get in your hometown, she dreamed big. Samantha wanted to be a Hollywood star, a household name recognized by fans and admired on the streets. Her ambitions were clear from the start, and she made no secret of them. By the time
Starting point is 02:30:40 she hit her teenage years, Samantha began embracing a bold, unique style. Tattoos, vibrant hair colors, and elaborate makeup became part of her identity. She wasn't afraid to stand out, which often worked to her advantage. Yet, her dreams of fame took a backseat when she became pregnant at the age of 18. Samantha gave birth to twins, and the father, young and unprepared, abandoned her soon after. It was a harsh reality check, but Samantha adapted. She juggled multiple jobs while taking care of her children and trying to finish her studies. Yet, as some sources have pointed out, Samantha may have exaggerated the hardships she faced. Though she claimed to have balanced school and three jobs at one point, many doubted this was realistic. Nonetheless, this
Starting point is 02:31:26 narrative became part of her identity, a single mom hustling to make ends meet. Meeting Ernie, love at first like, Samantha's social media addiction wasn't just a pastime, it was her world. She was active on platforms like MySpace, Facebook, and eventually YouTube, constantly updating her profiles, sharing pictures, and crafting a persona that reflected her aspirations. It was through Facebook that Samantha met Ernest Ernie Tibara Jr., a tech-savvy 25-year-old who had a knack for fixing computers and a passion for gaming. Ernie, born on December 25, in Mount Pleasant, Texas, was one of three siblings. Described by his family as intelligent, resourceful, and kind, Ernie had a quiet, focused nature.
Starting point is 02:32:09 He loved tinkering with gadgets and could assemble and disassemble a computer with ease. He was a problem solver by nature, a man who cared deeply for those he loved. The two hit it off immediately. After chatting online for weeks, their first date was fittingly unconventional, at a tattoo studio owned by Samantha's father. Things moved quickly from there. Within weeks, they were living together, and Ernie embraced Samantha's twins as his own. Samantha's second shot at love, and YouTube stardom. Their relationship wasn't just a personal triumph for Samantha, it was social media gold. She began documenting her life with Ernie, uploading videos to YouTube and sharing
Starting point is 02:32:48 snapshots of their seemingly picture-perfect life. She portrayed Ernie as the ideal partner, supportive, loving, and ready to adopt her twins. In 2011, the couple decided to have a child together. Fate, however, had another surprise in store. Samantha became pregnant with twins again. Suddenly, their small family of four grew to six, and life got significantly more complicated. Ernie stepped up, taking on two jobs to support the growing family.
Starting point is 02:33:16 Meanwhile, Samantha stayed home to care for the kids, a decision they initially agreed was temporary. But as time went on, Samantha's focus shifted from her family to her social media ambitions. YouTube dreams, real-life neglect, Samantha poured her heart and soul into her YouTube channel. She uploaded Vlogs daily, hoping to build a following and finally achieve the fame she had always craved. At first, her videos were lighthearted and random, makeup tutorials, daily life updates, and personal anecdotes. When that didn't gain traction, she pivoted to hot-button topics and even controversial subjects. One video, in particular, caught attention.
Starting point is 02:33:55 Inspired by a trend at the time, Samantha created a heartfelt clip using cue cards to tell her story of overcoming hardship. The message was uplifting, urging viewers to seek help and never lose hope. But many saw it as an attention grab, accusing her of exploiting sensitive issues for views. The more time Samantha spent online, the less time she devoted to her family. Ernie, who had never been a fan of her social media obsession, grew increasingly frustrated. The kids weren't getting the attention they needed, and the house was often in disarray. Samantha's obsession with her channel became a point of contention between them, especially when she began involving the children in her videos.
Starting point is 02:34:33 The tragedy of Sandra and the boys with knives, it all started on a quiet Friday night, May 16, 2003. Sandra Palo, a 22-year-old woman from Hatofa, Spain, was out with her boyfriend, Antonio, and their mutual friend, Juan Alberto. It was a night like any other, a chance to unwind during Madrid's festive San Isidro celebrations. Yet, for Sandra, there was a pressing reason to head home early. The next day was her younger brother Ismail's first communion, a family milestone, and she promised her parents she'd help with the morning preparations.
Starting point is 02:35:06 Her plan was simple, stay out for a little while, then return home. I won't stay out late, Sandra had assured her mother. But as the night stretched on, those plans unraveled. By 2 a.m., Sandra was still out and called her mother to explain she'd be home soon. It was a promise she meant to keep but tragically couldn't. Hours later, Sandra's lifeless body was discovered. The shocking murder that followed became one of the most harrowing cases in Spain's criminal history.
Starting point is 02:35:35 Sandra's life, joy and struggle, Sandra Palo was born on January 22, 1981, in Hatofa. The eldest of three children, she grew up in a loving family that adored her warm spirit and resilience. Sandra's childhood was marked by both joy and challenges. At a young age, she battled meningitis, a severe illness that threatened her life but left no permanent damage. However, when she was 10, another tragedy struck. While on a drive with her father and younger sister near the Alberg River, Sandra was involved in a horrific car accident. The crash left her severely injured, with a sunken skull fracture and a deep scar above her left eyebrow. Doctors doubted her survival, but Sandra pulled through with incredible strength. Though she survived, her
Starting point is 02:36:19 injuries left her with a mild intellectual disability, causing her cognitive development to stall at a younger age. Despite this, Sandra was cheerful and optimistic, finding joy in the little things. However, her school years were a nightmare. Sandra became the target of relentless bullying. Classmates mocked her for her scars and disability, often tearing her clothes, vandalizing her belongings, and leaving her in tears. Every day, Sandra came home sobbing, her pain clear to her family. Her parents reported the abuse to the school, but little was done. Over time, Sandra learned to shield herself from the cruelty by listening to music on her
Starting point is 02:36:57 Walkman, a refuge from the harsh world around her. After finishing school, Sandra found solace in a vocational program for individuals with disabilities in Madrid. There, she made friends who appreciated her kind heart, including one Albert who became one of her closest confidants, and Antonio, her boyfriend. Life seemed brighter, and Sandra was finally finding her place in the world. May 16, 2003, the last night. That Friday, Sandra was excited to celebrate the San Isidro Festival.
Starting point is 02:37:27 She spent the evening with Antonio and Juan Alberto, enjoying the festivities. But as the clock struck 2 a.m., the buses stopped running, and Sandra found herself stranded with Juan Alberto at Plaza Elyptica in Carabantial. Determined to make it home, she called her mother to explain the delay and promised she'd return as soon as possible. While Sandra and Juan Alberto walked toward Hatofa, their night took a dark turn. A green Citron ZX pulled up beside them, carrying four young men who would soon commit an unspeakable crime. Inside the car were Francisco Javier Astorga Lucay, 18, Ramon Santiago Jimenez, 17, Jose Ramon Manzano, Manzano, 17, and Raphael Garcia Fernandez, 14, a gang of juvenile delinquents known as La Bonda del Choupete. The gang, a history of violence. The four
Starting point is 02:38:15 teenagers were no strangers to trouble. Known for their arrogance and repeated offenses, they had terrorized their community for years. Thief, vandalism, drug abuse, and assaults were their trademarks. Despite their rap sheets, they flaunted their immunity under Spain's juvenile justice system, believing their youth made them untouchable. Rafael Garcia Fernandez, nicknamed El Rafida, was especially notorious despite being only 14 years old. When the gang spotted Sandra and Juan Alberto, they decided to act. Malagita, the group's leader, reportedly expressed his intention to hook up with Sandra. The gang stopped the car, pulled out knives, and forced both Sandra and Juan Alberto into the
Starting point is 02:38:56 vehicle. The nightmare unfolds. After driving a short distance, the gang inexplicably let Juan Alberto go, leaving Sandra alone with her captors. Instead of seeking help immediately, one Alberto sent two cryptic text messages to Sandra's mother. The first read, Don't worry, Sandra caught a bus and is on her way home. The second reassured her not to panic. These messages only added to the confusion and delayed any urgent search efforts. Meanwhile, the gang drove Sandra to a secluded area near the N-401 Highway. What followed was a horrifying series of events.
Starting point is 02:39:31 Over the next 45 minutes, Sandra endured a brutal assault by the gang members. All but the youngest, Rafida, took turns attacking her. Despite her injuries, Sandra fought back fiercely, leaving scratches on her attackers in a desperate attempt to survive. When the gang realized Sandra could identify them, they decided to kill her. Sandra pleaded for her life, promising she wouldn't report them. She even mentioned her brother's communion the next day, hoping to appeal to their humanity. But her pleas fell on deaf ears.
Starting point is 02:40:02 The gang held Sandra down as Malagita ran her over repeatedly with the car. To ensure no evidence remained, they drove to a gas station, purchased gasoline, and set Sandra's body on fire. The next morning, a truck driver discovered her charred remains in a ditch. The investigation, Sandra's parents, alarmed by her disappearance, reported her missing early that morning. Hours later, the police arrived with devastating news. Sandra's body had been found.
Starting point is 02:40:30 The horrific nature of her murder shocked the community and prompted an intensive police investigation. didn't take long to identify the perpetrators. Surveillance footage from the gas station showed the gang purchasing gasoline, and witnesses came forward, recounting how the boys had bragged about the crime. Within days, all four were arrested. A broken justice system, the trial that followed was a painful ordeal for Sandra's family. The gang showed no remorse, often laughing and joking in the courtroom. Due to Spain's lenient juvenile laws, three of the four received light sentences in juvenile detention centers. Even Malagita, the only adult, received a relatively short prison term.
Starting point is 02:41:10 The youngest, Raphita, was sentenced to just four years in a juvenile facility. For Sandra's family, the sentences were a slap in the face. Her mother, Maria Del Mar-Mar Bermudez, became a vocal advocate for justice reform, campaigning tirelessly for stricter laws to hold juvenile offenders accountable. The case sparked nationwide outrage, with many calling for changes to Spain's juvenile justice system. The legacy of Sandra Palo, two decades later, Sandra's story continues to haunt Spain. Her family's fight for justice has led to significant reforms, including harsher penalties for juvenile offenders.
Starting point is 02:41:46 Yet, for her loved ones, the pain of her loss remains. Sandra's life, full of potential and joy, was cut short by senseless violence. But her memory endures, a reminder of the urgent need to protect the vulnerable and demand accountability. The story of Kendra Hatcher and Brenda Delgado is one of a obsession, jealousy, and tragedy, a tangled web that ended in a senseless murder. Let me walk you through it, step by step, because it's both shocking and incredibly unsettling. Buckle up, this one's a roller coaster. It all started back in 2015 when a woman named Brenda
Starting point is 02:42:20 Delgado crossed paths with Ricky Paniagua on Tinder. Brenda was a dental hygienist living in Dallas, Texas, and she quickly fell head over heels for Ricky. He was a successful dermatologist, charming, and everything Brenda thought she wanted. For a while, things seemed perfect. They dated for about two years, but in early 2015, Ricky decided to call it quits. He told Brenda that their relationship wasn't working out, and honestly, he just didn't see a future with her. Breakups are hard, sure, but for Brenda, this wasn't just a breakup. It was the beginning of a downward spiral. She couldn't let go of Ricky. She clung to the hope that they'd get back together and kept herself involved in his life
Starting point is 02:43:02 in every way possible. Using his passwords, which she had somehow obtained during their relationship, Brenda secretly monitored Ricky's social media and email accounts. She watched every move he made, convinced she could win him back. Enter Kendra Hatcher. Kendra, a 35-year-old pediatric dentist, was everything Brenda wasn't. Born in Illinois, Kendra had an idyllic childhood and was a star in high school. She was captain of the volleyball team, led the cheerleading squad, and was both popular and
Starting point is 02:43:31 academically gifted. After high school, she went to dental school, graduated, and married an anesthesiologist named Scott Fisk. They had a comfortable life together, but in 2010, their marriage ended. That's when Kendra decided to move to Dallas to start fresh. She built a successful career as a pediatric dentist, made good money, and lived in a luxurious apartment complex called Gables Park 17. Kendra was gorgeous, accomplished, and living her best life. She was also exactly the kind of woman Ricky was looking for. When Kendra and Ricky met on Tinder in May 2015, Sparks flew immediately. Their first date was on May 24th at a restaurant called Kasei's Kitchen. From then on, the two were inseparable. Brenda, of course, knew all about
Starting point is 02:44:18 it because she was still obsessively monitoring Ricky's accounts. This time, though, something was different. None of Ricky's previous dates had phased Brenda too much, but Kendra. Kendra was a threat. What really sent Brenda over the edge was how quickly Ricky and Kendra's relationship progressed. Within weeks of dating, Ricky took Kendra on a trip to San Francisco, a trip Brenda had always dreamed of taking with him. He'd always given Brenda excuses for not going, but with Kendra, he didn't hesitate. They even followed a travel itinerary Brenda had once meticulously planned. And as if that weren't enough, their friends on social media started teasing them about getting
Starting point is 02:44:56 married. Ricky and Kendra played along with the comments, and that was the final straw for Brenda. In her mind, Kendra had stolen everything she'd ever wanted. Ricky was supposed to marry her, not some woman he'd only been dating for a few months. Brenda decided that if she couldn't have Ricky, no one could. And as twisted as it sounds, she believed the solution was simple, Kendra Hatcher had to go. Now, Brenda wasn't about to get her hands dirty herself. She started looking for someone else to do the job. Her first target was her cousin, Moises Martinez. Moises was struggling financially, and Brenda figured he might be desperate enough to help her.
Starting point is 02:45:35 One night, she took him out for dinner and drinks, got him good and drunk, and then brought up the idea of attacking Kendra. She offered him money or even a new car in exchange for threatening Kendra with a baseball bat. Moises thought she was joking. He laughed it off and didn't take her seriously. That plan fizzled out. Next, Brenda turned to her friend Jennifer Escobar. Jennifer had recently moved in with Brenda because she was also having financial issues. But when Jennifer got settled into Brenda's apartment, she quickly realized something was off.
Starting point is 02:46:07 Brenda couldn't stop talking about Ricky. It wasn't normal, it was obsessive and downright creepy. Jennifer started distancing herself from Brenda, but before she could fully cut ties, Brenda pitched her a deal. She offered to buy Jennifer drugs or a car in exchange for killing Kendra. The plan, Brenda said, was straightforward. Jennifer would knock Ricky out with a baseball bat and then kill Kendra by beating her to death or injecting her with drugs. Jennifer was horrified.
Starting point is 02:46:34 She laughed nervously, trying to brush it off as a joke, but she packed her bags and moved out soon after. That's when Brenda found Crystal Cortez, a 23-year-old single mom with a six-year-old son. Crystal was struggling to make ends meet and saw Brenda as someone to look up to. When Brenda offered her $500 to help kill Kendra, Crystal agreed, but she didn't actually think Brenda was serious. She thought it was all talk and went along with it just to stay on Brenda's good side. But Brenda wasn't joking. Over time, she manipulated Crystal into driving the getaway car while someone else would pull
Starting point is 02:47:08 the trigger. That someone else turned out to be Christopher Love. Christopher Love was a 31-year-old marijuana dealer with big dreams of opening a brothel. But he needed money to make that happen, and he could never seem to save any because he spent it all on drugs. When Brenda offered him $3,000 and drugs to kill Kendra, Christopher agreed. For him, it was an easy payday. Brenda's plan came together on September 2, 2015. That day, Brenda borrowed a friend's BMW, claiming her own car had broken down.
Starting point is 02:47:39 When the BMW had issues, she took it to a mechanic she knew named Jose Ortiz, who loaned her a black Jeep Cherokee instead. Brenda and Crystal used the Jeep to pick up Christopher, and the three of them spent the day waiting for Kendra outside her workplace. At one point, Crystal realized she needed to pick up her son from school, so they left to do that and then dropped him off at his grandmother's house before returning to stake out Kendra's building. Around 7.30 p.m., Kendra arrived home. She opened the gate to her apartment complex's parking garage and pulled in, not realizing the black Jeep Cherokee was right behind her. She parked her car, stepped out, and that's when Christopher approached her with a .40 caliber Smith and Wesson pistol.
Starting point is 02:48:22 Without warning, he shot her in the head, killing her instantly. He then grabbed her purse and a waterproof camera she had with her to make it look like a robbery. Crystal and Christopher fled the scene in the Jeep, leaving Kendra's lifeless body in the garage. Meanwhile, Brenda was busy creating the perfect alibi. She spent the day running errands, going to the library, shopping, and even having dinner at a Chili's. She kept receipts and took pictures of everything to prove she wasn't anywhere near the crime scene.
Starting point is 02:48:50 But the murder of Kendra Hatcher shocked the Dallas community. Kendra wasn't just anyone, she was well-loved and respected, and her death made headlines everywhere. The police faced immense pressure to solve the case quickly, and they got to work. Ricky told them about Brenda and her obsessive behavior, which raised red flags. When detectives questioned Brenda, she tried to appear cooperative, even volunteering her alibi without being asked. But her story had inconsistencies, and the police were suspicious.
Starting point is 02:49:19 The break in the case came when surveillance footage from the apartment complex's garage showed the black Jeep Cherokee. The police asked the public for help identifying the vehicle, and Jose Ortiz came forward, telling them he'd lent the Jeep to Brenda. That was the link they needed. Crystal was arrested shortly after, and under pressure, she confessed everything. She told the police about Christopher Love and Brenda's role in orchestrating the murder. Christopher was arrested next, and the evidence against him was overwhelming.
Starting point is 02:49:48 DNA linked him to the crime scene, and there were messages and calls between him, Crystal, and Brenda. But when it came time to arrest Brenda, she was nowhere to be found. She had fled to Mexico, using a bus to cross the border before authorities' could catch her. For months, Brenda was on the run. In April 2016, the FBI added her to their 10 most wanted fugitives list and offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to her capture. Finally, in October 2016, Brenda was found and arrested in Coahuila, Mexico. She was extradited to Texas, where she stood trial for Kendra's murder. In the end, Christopher Love was sentenced to death by lethal injection. Crystal Cortez, who cooperated with authorities,
Starting point is 02:50:31 received a 35-year prison sentence. As for Brenda, she was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Her obsessive jealousy and inability to move on from Ricky had cost Kendra her life and destroyed multiple others. So, what do you think? Were the sentences fair? This case is a chilling reminder of how dangerous unchecked obsession can be, and it's a
Starting point is 02:50:55 tragedy that Kendra's bright future was stolen in such a senseless way. The story begins on October 12, 2000. with a frantic 911 call. A young woman, her voice trembling with panic and desperation, claimed she had killed her boyfriend in self-defense. She explained that a struggle had ensued, she managed to wrestle a gun from him, and then she fired in a moment of sheer terror.
Starting point is 02:51:17 When the police arrived, they found a scene that didn't align with her account at all. The home showed no signs of a struggle, no overturned furniture, no scattered belongings, nothing. And to add another layer of suspicion, the woman wasn't even registered as a resident at the address where the incident occurred. This is where the sinister case of Shana Michelle Huber's truly begins. The background of Shana Hoobers.
Starting point is 02:51:40 Shana was born on April 8, 1991, in Lexington, Kentucky, to Sharon and Robert Hubers. Her childhood, from what little is known, painted a picture of a high-achieving, charming, and outgoing individual. Those who knew her only had positive things to say, she was intelligent, driven, and excelled at nearly everything she attempted. In school, Shana was the type of student who shone in every subject. Whether it was math, literature, or technology, she aced it all. Former classmates like Sarah Robinson recalled Shana as someone who thrived in advanced placement classes and consistently earned top grades. She was not only academically talented but also creative, excelling in music and theater. Shana had a voice that captivated, and her natural dramatic flair made her a standout performer.
Starting point is 02:52:27 But there was a flipped side to her passion. According to Sarah, Shana took everything to extremes, whether it was love or rejection. She was intense, and she didn't handle rejection well. If a boy showed disinterest or ended a relationship with her, Shana would cry, scream, and sometimes even exaggerate events to play the victim. Rumors started circulating in school that dating her was risky, she was beautiful and intelligent, but some boys avoided her because of her tendency to fabricate stories or overreact. After graduating with honors from Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School, Shana pursued a psychology
Starting point is 02:53:01 degree at the University of Kentucky. Once again, she excelled academically and became a standout student. However, despite her academic success and popularity, Shana felt something was missing, a perfect partner to complete her ideal life. Meeting Ryan Carter Poston. Ryan Carter Poston was born on December 30, 1982, in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky, to Lisa Carter and Jay Poston. His parents divorced when he was young, but they maintained an amicable co-parenting relationship.
Starting point is 02:53:30 Ryan grew up surrounded by love and stability, gaining three younger half-sisters, Allison, Catherine, and Elizabeth Carter, through his parents' subsequent marriages. Like Shana, Ryan was a bright and ambitious individual. He attended prestigious schools, including the International School of Manila and the International School of Geneva, before earning a triple major in history, geography, and political science from Indiana University. He later pursued a law degree at Northern Kentucky University and became a respected attorney. In early 2011, Ryan was recovering from a long-term relationship that had ended painfully. He was focused on building his career and wasn't looking for
Starting point is 02:54:07 anything serious. That's when Shana entered his life. The two connected through Facebook after Shana noticed Ryan in a friend's photo. Intrigued, she asked her friend about him and learned he was single. Shana added Ryan as a friend, and they quickly struck up a conversation. Sparks flew, and soon they began dating. A toxic relationship. From the beginning, Ryan was upfront about his emotional state, he wasn't ready for a serious relationship. Shana seemed to accept this initially, claiming she understood and respected his boundaries. However, her action soon told a different story. Shana, at just 19 years old, was eager for commitment. She envisioned marriage and a future with Ryan, even though he repeatedly
Starting point is 02:54:50 told her he needed time and space. Frustrated by his reluctance, Shana began to pressure him. She would text her friends about how perfect Ryan was and how she couldn't understand why he didn't feel the same way. Their relationship quickly became toxic. Ryan, focused on his legal career, felt smothered by Shana's constant demands for attention. They broke up and got back together multiple times, with each reconciliation only making things more strained. Shana claimed that Ryan was emotionally abusive, accusing him of insulting her appearance and treating her like a servant. She told friends that he made cruel comments about her weight and pressured her to undergo cosmetic surgery. Meanwhile, Ryan's friends and family painted a different
Starting point is 02:55:32 picture. They described Shana as obsessive and manipulative, recounting how she would bombard him with text messages, sometimes sending between 50,000 and 100,000 messages over the course of their relationship, often with little to no response from Ryan. Shana's behavior became increasingly alarming. She would show up uninvited at Ryan's apartment, sometimes crying hysterically until he let her in. Once, she used a spare key he had given her early in their relationship to enter his home without his permission. Ryan confided in friends that he felt trapped and even considered filing a restraining order. The breaking point, by 2012, Ryan had reached his limit. He ended things with Shana for good, but she refused to accept the breakup.
Starting point is 02:56:13 Around the same time, Ryan began talking to another woman, Audrey Bolt, a former Miss Ohio. The two planned to go on their first date on October 12. Knowing he needed to put an end to things with Shana once and for all, Ryan invited her over on October 11th to talk. According to Shana, the dinner was a romantic evening at his parents' house, but Ryan's family insisted it was a platonic gathering. Ryan reportedly sought advice from his father on how to make Shana understand that their relationship was over.
Starting point is 02:56:43 After dinner, Ryan and Shana returned to his apartment, where he reiterated that he wanted to remain friends but nothing more. Shana spent the night in the apartment, though Ryan reportedly locked himself in his bedroom. The next morning, Shana called her mother, claiming she was having a panic attack and couldn't breathe. Her mother drove to Ryan's apartment to comfort her. When Ryan woke up, he was surprised to find Shana still there, along with her mother. Shana claimed she needed to go to the hospital, but instead of seeking medical attention,
Starting point is 02:57:12 and her mother went shopping. Shana continued to text Ryan throughout the day, updating him on fake medical appointments and diagnoses. The final hours. That evening, Ryan returned home to prepare for his date with Audrey. Around 9.30 p.m., he got ready, but he never showed up for the date. At some point during the night, a confrontation occurred between Ryan and Shana. Shana called 911, claiming she had shot Ryan in self-defense after an argument turned violent.
Starting point is 02:57:40 When police arrived, they found Ryan dead from multiple gunshot wounds. Shana's story didn't add up, there were no signs of a struggle, and the evidence suggested that Ryan was sitting at the table when he was shot. The investigation revealed a deeply troubling relationship filled with obsession, manipulation, and escalating toxicity. Aftermath, Shana was arrested and charged with Ryan's murder. Her trial exposed the chilling details of their relationship, leaving many to wonder what led to such a tragic end.
Starting point is 02:58:09 The case remains a haunting reminder of how dangerous obsessive love can become. The homeowner called 911 and within just 15 minutes, the county sheriff arrived at the scene. The sheriff immediately began questioning Scott, asking about his companion, where he came from, and why they were there. Scott spilled the whole story, the job offer, the interview, the journey, and what the farm was like. That's when the sheriff dropped a bombshell, everything Scott described was a complete lie. The sheriff, who knew everyone in the area, said there was no jack, no farm owner, and definitely
Starting point is 02:58:42 no massive property like the one Scott described. The only part of the story that held any weight was the restaurant meeting, so the police headed there to investigate. They requested to see the surveillance footage from that day, but their efforts hit a snag, a fire had mysteriously destroyed the recordings. It would take days to see if anything could be salvaged. The story spread like wildfire, hitting newspapers, and rattling the community. Among the readers was Deborah Bruce, the sister of David Michael Poy.
Starting point is 02:59:10 Every paragraph she read left her more stunned because it sounded eerily similar to the story of her brother. Without hesitation, she called the police and shared everything she knew. That's when it became clear that Jack and Brogan weren't just small-time criminals, they might actually be serial killers. Authorities ventured into the forest where Scott had been hiding and found a blood trail matching the route he described. Following the blood, they discovered something horrific, a freshly dug grave near the area
Starting point is 02:59:36 where Scott had been attacked. If Jack and Brogan had done this before, this might be their hunting ground, and there could be more graves nearby. The police left the area to return with tracking dogs, and sure enough, they found a second grave. Inside were the remains of David, Deborah's brother. Days later, in the same area,
Starting point is 02:59:55 a third grave was uncovered. This time, it contained the remains of an unidentified man. That made two confirmed victims and one survivor. The local police, however, were over. overwhelmed and out of resources. Unsure of how to proceed, they contacted the FBI for help. When the FBI took over, they started digging deep, literally and figuratively. They focused on the job ad that lured the victims.
Starting point is 03:00:21 Two critical elements stood out, the writing style and the type of victim the ad targeted. It was clear the perpetrators were looking for men, specifically those without military experience, who didn't know how to fight or defend themselves. The second lead came from tracing the IP address of the person who posted the ad. Despite public warnings about fake job ads, another victim fell into the trap. This time, it was a 57-year-old man named Timothy John Kern. Tim was a divorced father of three, living near his ex-wife and maintaining a close relationship with his kids.
Starting point is 03:00:53 He saw them almost daily and kept in constant touch through Facebook. On November 10, 2011, Tim posted a Facebook status that raised alarms among his loved ones. He wrote about moving forward in life, leaving his past behind, and finally making a fresh start. He mentioned a job on a farm near Cambridge, Ohio, with good pay in no-sell service. Before leaving, Tim met with his ex-wife, picked up a few belongings, and said goodbye to his kids. The last anyone heard from him was a message he sent to one of his sons on the morning of November 13th. After that, he vanished. Two weeks into the investigation, the police traced the IP address from the job ad to a small house in Akron, Ohio.
Starting point is 03:01:33 A full unit of officers swarmed the property, and a startled man named Joe answered the door. Confused and scared, Joe insisted he didn't know why they were there or what was going on. He explained that he had recently rented out a room to a man named Ralph. According to Joe, Ralph was friendly, reliable, and always paid rent on time. But one detail stood out, Ralph was constantly glued to his computer. The police asked for more information, and Joe provided it. The suspect's full name was Ralph Geiger. But as the investigation progressed, something didn't add up.
Starting point is 03:02:08 The photos of Ralph didn't match the man renting the room. Investigators dug deeper, contacting Ralph's relatives and friends, but no one recognized the current photo of him. That's when a critical breakthrough occurred, the FBI managed to recover footage from the surveillance cameras at the restaurant where Scott's job interview had taken place. The images showed two men. Investigators captured stills and began searching. them. The local sheriff recognized one of the men immediately. His name wasn't Jack or
Starting point is 03:02:37 Ralph, it was Richard Beasley. The younger man with him wasn't his nephew or any kind of family. He was Brogan Rafferty, a local church kid. From there, the story took an even darker turn. Richard Beasley's background was far from spotless. Born in 1959 in Akron, Ohio, he was primarily raised by his mother. After completing basic schooling, he worked as a machinist, constantly found himself in trouble with the law. His life was a revolving door of arrests and prison sentences. At one point, he moved to Texas, where he was convicted of armed robbery. After serving time, he returned to Ohio to start fresh.
Starting point is 03:03:16 In Ohio, Richard tried to reinvent himself. He became involved in a church, talked about God, and gained a reputation as a respectable man. He got married, had children, and seemed to turn his life around. But an accident left him in chronic pain, and his reliance on painkillers spiraled into an opioid addiction. To fund his habit, Richard leaned on his newfound religious connections, exploiting vulnerable people he met in rehab. He became a sort of pimp, praying on those desperate for guidance.
Starting point is 03:03:45 Eventually, the police caught onto his schemes, and he was arrested again. Upon his release, Richard pivoted to a deadlier business model. He devised a plan to rob and kill his victims under the guise of a job opportunity. The fake farm job ad described a rural property with plenty of land, cows, a cozy house, and a hefty paycheck. He specifically targeted adult men without families or close ties, believing no one would miss them if they disappeared. Richard enlisted Brogan Rafferty, a troubled teenager he met at church.
Starting point is 03:04:16 Brogan's strict father, Michael, struggled to control him, inadvertently pushing the boy closer to Richard, who gave him the freedom he craved. Together, they lured victims, killed them, and buried their bodies. played a key role in covering their tracks. He drove the truck, dug the graves, and helped clean up after the murders. In his own words, Brogan described the chilling ritual he followed whenever he met up with Richard. He would empty his pockets, clean his room, finish his chores, and leave a note for his dad
Starting point is 03:04:45 saying he loved him, just in case he didn't come back. When Richard killed Ralph Geiger, he assumed his identity. But after Scott escaped, the duo changed their tactics. victims into the woods was now too risky. Instead, they arranged to meet Timothy Kern at a shopping center. As usual, Richard struck when the victim wasn't paying attention, shooting Tim in the back. Brogan then dug a grave and buried Tim on the spot. The case against Brogan went to trial in 2012. To avoid the death penalty, he struck a deal with prosecutors, receiving a life sentence without parole instead. Richard, however, wasn't as fortunate. In 2013, he was sent
Starting point is 03:05:26 to death. To this day, Richard maintains his innocence, claiming he would never hurt anyone. Now it's your turn to weigh in, do you think justice was served, or does the case leave you with lingering questions? It was only the beginning. Ashley didn't like the plan from the start. But it was about to get worse, way worse. That's when the guy started talking about money, saying they desperately needed some fast.
Starting point is 03:05:50 Ashley casually mentioned her stepfather. He's got savings, she said. the perfect target. He's got a good job, and I don't even like him. The group began brainstorming, throwing out ideas and possible plans. Ashley, trying to stay cool, didn't realize this was a tipping point. Things were spiraling out of control. To understand how it all led to tragedy, we need to rewind and visit Richmond, Virginia. This is where the Harvey family lived, a family that, by all accounts, was loved and respected by their community. The Harvey's were a tight-knit group, Catherine, 39, Brian, 49, and their two daughters, Stella N. 9, and Ruby May, 4.
Starting point is 03:06:31 Catherine ran a toy store, and Brian had been a vocalist in the band House of Freaks. The couple was known for their warmth, kindness, and sense of community. Neighbors said the girls were sweet, and the family as a whole was quiet, respectful, and drama-free. The only thing slightly notable about the Harveys was their love for hosting small parties. Nothing crazy, just cozy get-togethers for Halloween, Thanksgiving, or New Year's. January 1st, 2006, was supposed to be one of those days. They'd planned a barbecue, and their neighbors were cool with it. At 1.45 p.m., the first guest, Johnny Hot, arrived.
Starting point is 03:07:09 But when he knocked on the door, no one answered. He tried again, still nothing. Concerned, he walked around to the back and peeked through the windows. Thick, heavy smoke filled the house. Johnny wasted no time calling the fire department. Within minutes, fire trucks arrived. The firefighters initially thought it might have been an electrical issue or an accident. But as they entered the house, the scene made no sense.
Starting point is 03:07:36 The smoke was coming from the basement. When they got down there, the fire was deliberately set. And that wasn't the worst of it. In the basement, they found the bodies of Catherine and Ruby. were tied up. Neither had died in the fire. They'd been restrained, and it was clear they'd fought back. After more searching, the bodies of Brian and Stella were discovered too. Stella had been tied up and left under a futon, while Brian had injuries that were horrific, his throat had been cut, his head showed signs of severe trauma, and his mouth was taped shut.
Starting point is 03:08:09 The immediate theory was a home invasion gone horribly wrong. But something wasn't adding up. The house wasn't ransacked, no drawers flung open, no scattered belongings. And yet, one thing was missing, Brian Harvey's wedding ring. The entire Richmond community was in shock. This wasn't supposed to happen to people like the Harvys. A chilling witness. In the hours that followed, the police interviewed everyone, neighbors, friends, family members.
Starting point is 03:08:37 One account stood out, Kristen Perkins, whose daughter was Stella's best friend. The day before the murders, Stella had attended a sleepover at Kristen's house. dropped her off the next morning. She knocked several times at the Harvey's door, but no one answered. She peered through the windows and finally made her way to the back. When she knocked again, Catherine opened the door. Kristen described Catherine as acting, off. Normally cheerful and chatty, Catherine seemed pale and tense, speaking in clipped, short sentences. The strangest moment came when Stella bolted into the house, and Catherine blocked Kristen from entering. Kristen thought it odd because everyone would be gathered.
Starting point is 03:09:16 later that day for the barbecue." Catherine tried to explain, saying cryptically, things are just really crazy right now. Kristen offered to help, but Catherine declined, brushing her off. It was the last time Kristen would see her alive. The brutality of it all, the violence shocked even seasoned investigators. One detective described the scene as something that would haunt him for years. I don't know if you ever get over something like that, he said. If you're lucky, time blurs it, but it never really leaves you.
Starting point is 03:09:46 The autopsies painted an even crimmer picture. Catherine had been stabbed in the neck three times and once in the back. Brian had been stabbed six times in the neck. Neither died immediately. Their attackers had used hammers to finish them off. The girls suffered similar fates. The timeline pieced together went like this. On the morning of January 1st, someone forced their way into the Harvey home.
Starting point is 03:10:10 Catherine, Brian, and Ruby were tied up in the basement. then, Kristen arrived with Stella. One of the intruders likely forced Catherine to answer the door. Catherine, trying to warn Kristen, failed. Stella and Catherine were both taken to the basement, where the massacre unfolded. The first connection. Days later, on January 3rd, police in Chesterfield, 25 minutes from Richmond, received a frantic call from a couple. Two men and a woman had broken into their home, stolen their TV, computer, and a few other
Starting point is 03:10:41 valuables. The woman had even asked for directions as a distraction before the men forced their way inside. The intruders tied up the couple, but the man begged for mercy, explaining his wife was disabled. Miraculously, they left without harming them further. Inexplicably, police failed to link this incident to the Harvey murders. A third tragedy, three days later, on January 6, Chesterfield Police received another call. A woman was worried about her friend Ashley Baskerville. She hadn't heard from Ashley and was convinced something bad had happened. Ashley lived with her mother, Mary, and her stepfather, Persile. When police arrived, no one answered the door. After knocking multiple times, they peered through the windows and saw
Starting point is 03:11:25 something horrifying. Inside, all three were dead. Perciel had been gagged and suffocated with a plastic bag. Mary had been blindfolded and asphyxiated. Ashley was found with a plastic bag over her head, sealed with tape. At first, Ashley's death seemed like she was another victim. But a detail changed everything, Ashley was wearing a necklace with a gold ring. On closer inspection, the ring had the initials, B.H., engraved on it, Brian Harvey's wedding ring. Piecing it together, police turned their attention to Ashley's friends. One name came up quickly, Latoya. Ashley and Latoya had become best friends after meeting in jail, where they had bonded over dreams of turning their lives around.
Starting point is 03:12:08 Ashley had introduced Latoya to two men, Ray Dandridge and Ricky Gray. The pair had criminal records a mile long, ranging from armed robbery to drug trafficking. Latoya told police about a chilling conversation she'd overheard, Ashley and the men had discussed robbing houses and restraining people. Ashley even suggested her stepfather as a target, claiming he had money stashed away. Police began surveilling Ray and Ricky. Finally, on January 7th, a SWAT team raided. their home. Ray surrendered immediately. Ricky resisted, hiding in the basement and attempting
Starting point is 03:12:41 to grab an officer's gun. Confessions and connections, under interrogation, Ray confessed quickly, linking himself and Ricky to all three murders. Ricky held out for 12 hours before finally breaking down, admitting to the Harvey and Baskerville killings, and even confessing to an earlier crime, the murder of his wife, Trevor Gray. Ricky described how he and Ray had killed Treva in November 2005 during an argument, beating her to death. Her murder had remained unsolved until now. The duo's violent spree was further confirmed when a man named Ryan Carey came forward. On December 31st, 2005, Ryan had been attacked by Ricky and Ray in front of his parents' home.
Starting point is 03:13:22 They beat and stabbed him, leaving him in a coma for two weeks. Ashley's role, shockingly, Ricky and Ray revealed that Ashley hadn't been an innocent victim. She had helped plan the Harvey murders, providing details about their home and schedules. She had even driven the men to the house. Ashley's greed ultimately led to her death. During the attack on her parents, Ricky and Ray decided she was too ambitious and a liability. They killed her to tie up loose ends. Justice served, both men faced separate trials.
Starting point is 03:13:52 Ricky's trial began in August 2006 and was a spectacle, with the defense attempting to blame his actions on childhood trauma. Ultimately, Ricky was sentenced to death, while Ray received life without parole. The obsession that turned deadly, the sinister case of Brenda Delgado, Kendra Hatcher had everything going for her. At 35, she was a successful dentist, living in one of the best neighborhoods in Dallas, Texas. Life seemed to be unfolding dutifully, until the evening of September 2, 2015. That day would not only mark the tragic end of her promising future but also unravel a bizarre
Starting point is 03:14:27 story of obsession, jealousy, and a chilling crime. That afternoon, Kendra pulled into the garage of her apartment complex, exhausted after a long day at work. She parked her car, turned off the engine, opened the door, and stepped out. But before she could make it any further, someone crept up behind her. A gunshot echoed through the garage. The bullet hit the back of her head, ending her life instantly. The assailant then grabbed her purse and a GoPro camera, fled to a waiting black Jeep Cherokee, and sped off into the night. This wasn't some random crime in a sketchy neighborhood. This murder took place in one of Dallas's most prestigious areas.
Starting point is 03:15:06 Kendra's death shocked the city, and news outlets quickly picked up the story. Her photo was plastered everywhere, alongside surveillance footage from the garage that captured the mysterious Jeep. The case quickly took a turn worthy of a Hollywood thriller, as investigators unearthed secrets that no one could have imagined. To truly understand what happened, we need to rewind the clock to the life of another woman, Brenda Delgado. Brenda Delgado, a dreamer with big ambitions, Brenda Veronica Delgado Rai Naga was born on June 18, 1982, in Mexico. She was the second of five children born to Maria Ranauga and Luis Delgado.
Starting point is 03:15:42 As the only girl in the family, Brenda was reportedly the favorite, earning her special treatment from her parents. But the Delgado family didn't have much. Luis worked long hours at a factory, and eventually, the family decided they couldn't continue living in poverty. Seeking a better life, they moved to Dallas, Texas. In the United States, the Delgado's found stability. Luis got a job in construction, while Maria took on two jobs, one at a postal office and another as a cleaner. With both parents working tirelessly, the family's financial situation improved, and Brenda grew up with big dreams. She excelled in school and had her sights set on becoming a dentist. However, college tuition was far beyond
Starting point is 03:16:24 her family's means. Undeterred, Brenda took on multiple jobs to save money. By day, she worked at a flower shop, by night, she served tables at a restaurant. Despite her busy schedule, she never missed church on Sundays. Brenda was charming, hardworking, and deeply religious. Her family had nothing but praise for her. Brenda is a beautiful person, her mother once said. She's a Christian woman with the best family values. But Brenda's ambitions extended far beyond her religious devotion and professional dreams. She longed for a luxurious life, a big house in an upscale neighborhood, expensive clothes, and most importantly, the perfect man.
Starting point is 03:17:05 She often said she wanted a partner who was ambitious, attractive, and successful. Her dream guy, oddly enough, was inspired by Ross from the TV show Friends. In 2012, Brenda, now 30, finally moved out of four. her parents' home. She shared a modest apartment with two friends, and though the neighborhood wasn't ideal, she cherished her independence. She felt it was time to find her dream man. Initially, she relied on friends to set her up, but when that didn't work, she turned to dating apps like Tinder and Myspace. That's when she met Ricardo Paniagua. Meeting Ricky, Ricardo, or Ricky, as most called him, was 38 and everything Brenda had been searching for. Born in California
Starting point is 03:17:47 to Latin American parents, Ricky had overcome a tough childhood to become a dermatologist. He attended Stanford, excelled academically, and eventually moved to Dallas to work at the prestigious Southwestern Medical Center. On top of his impressive resume, Ricky bore a striking resemblance to Ross from friends, at least in Brenda's eyes. Their first date was a Jennifer Lopez concert at the American Airlines Center on August 25, 2012. Sparks flew instantly, and within weeks, they were inseparable. After all of that, only three months of dating, Brenda moved into Ricky's luxury apartment at the Fitzhue Urban Flats. For Brenda, it was a dream come true, she was living in a high-end complex
Starting point is 03:18:26 with her ideal man. She introduced Ricky to her parents, took him on trips to Mexico, and constantly gushed about him on social media. On Ricky's birthday in April 2013, Brenda posted a heartfelt message, the most amazing and intelligent man I know. My best friend, my love. I can't imagine life without you. Two months' last later, Brenda found out she was pregnant. She didn't share the news with anyone, but it's believed she wanted to keep the baby. However, after discussing it with Ricky, they decided on an abortion. The decision was difficult, but their relationship seemed to remain strong, at least on the surface. Brenda continued to post about their love, and they even signed a joint phone
Starting point is 03:19:07 contract. Brenda also began pursuing her dream of working in dentistry. She enrolled in a dental hygiene program at Sanford Brown College. Everything appeared to be falling into place. But cracks soon started to show. A sudden breakup. In July 2014, Ricky ended the relationship. Brenda was blindsided. One day, they were making wedding plans, the next, he told her it was over. She was devastated. Her grades plummeted, she skipped classes, and she seemed to exist in a constant state of despair. Her classmates noticed her odd behavior. She would talk incessantly about Ricky, how she planned to win him back, how they were meant to be together, how she couldn't imagine her life without him. While Brenda's obsession grew, Ricky appeared to move on quickly.
Starting point is 03:19:55 He traveled, spent time with friends, and seemed happy. In September 2014, Ricky decided to take salsa lessons, hoping to meet new people. To his surprise, Brenda also enrolled in the same class. The coincidence was uncanny. Despite the awkwardness, they began talking again, and by the end of the end of the end of the same. end of the year, they were back together. But the reconciliation didn't last long. By February 2015, Ricky broke things off for good, saying he wasn't ready for marriage. This time, Brenda seemed to take it well. She moved into a new apartment and promised to stay friends.
Starting point is 03:20:31 What Ricky didn't realize was that Brenda's obsession had reached a dangerous level. The obsession deepens. Brenda wasn't ready to let Ricky go. She secretly retained a key to his apartment, allowing her to enter when he wasn't home. She also had access to his email, social media accounts, and iCloud. Using this information, she tracked his every move. Ricky started noticing odd coincidences. He'd run into Brenda at the grocery store, the park, and even while out on dates. He chalked it up to fate, but in reality, Brenda was stalking him.
Starting point is 03:21:03 Then, in May 2015, Ricky met Kendra Hatcher on Tinder. Kendra was everything Brenda wasn't, confident, successful, and emotionally stable. Their relationship blossomed quickly, and by the summer, Kendra had moved into Ricky's apartment. Brenda, still watching from the shadows, was furious. She couldn't stand the thought of someone else living the life she had envisioned for herself. Brenda was determined to make Kendra disappear.
Starting point is 03:21:30 Ricky met Kendra Hatcher on Tinder in May 2015, and their connection was instant. Kendra wasn't just anyone, she was a successful dentist with a bright future, a radiant personality, and a smile that could light up a room. She wasn't just beautiful, she was kind, driven, and someone who knew what she wanted in life. For Ricky, she was the fresh start he needed after the complicated and suffocating relationship he'd had with Brenda. Kendra and Ricky's romance moved quickly, but it didn't feel rushed, it felt natural. They had chemistry, shared goals, and were genuinely happy together.
Starting point is 03:22:04 In just a few months, their relationship blossomed into something strong and stable, something Brenda never stopped noticing. See, while Ricky was falling for Kendra, Brenda was still watching. Through the digital lens of his eye cloud, social media, and other tools she'd secretly kept access to, Brenda kept herself updated on everything about Ricky's new relationship. She saw the selfies, the check-ins, the cute little captions about their dates, and every single post fueled her growing obsession. For Brenda, Ricky wasn't just an ex. He was the guy, the dream she'd built her entire future around. Watching him move on wasn't just heartbreaking, it was infuriating.
Starting point is 03:22:42 And the fact that Kendra was everything Brenda wanted to be, a successful, beautiful dentist with a seemingly perfect life, only made it worse. Brenda didn't just want Ricky back. She wanted to erase Kendra from the picture entirely. The plan takes shape. By mid-2015, Brenda's thoughts turned dark. The idea of simply moving on didn't exist for her. Instead, she began plotting a way to remove Kendra from Ricky's life forever. This wasn't an impulsive decision, it was calculated.
Starting point is 03:23:12 Brenda started laying the groundwork by recruiting help. She reached out to Crystal Cortez, a young woman she'd met through mutual acquaintances. Crystal was in her early twenties, struggling financially, and easily manipulated by promises of quick cash. Brenda offered her $500 to drive a getaway car, no questions asked. Crystal didn't know the full extent of Brenda's plan, but she agreed. It seemed like easy money, and Brenda made it sound like a simple favor. What Crystal didn't realize was that this favor was about to spiral into a deadly conspiracy.
Starting point is 03:23:45 Next, Brenda brought in another accomplice, Christopher Love. Christopher was no stranger to criminal activities, and Brenda promised him money, drugs, and more if he helped her carry out the hit on Kendra. With her team assembled, Brenda's plan was in motion. The night of the crime, on September 2, 2015, Kendra Hatcher had no idea that her life was in danger. It was just a normal day. She worked her shift at the dental office, went about her usual routine, and headed home to her apartment in a luxury building in Dallas. As she pulled into the garage and parked her car, the black Jeep Cherokee Crystal was driving
Starting point is 03:24:21 followed her inside. Kendra didn't think anything of it, why would she? It was just another car pulling in behind her. But as Kendra stepped out of her car, Christopher Love approached her with a gun. Without hesitation, he shot her execution style in the back of the head. Kendra died instantly. Christopher then grabbed Kendra's purse and a GoPro camera she had with her, making it look like a robbery. He jumped back into the Jeep, and Crystal drove them out of the garage as quickly as possible. The whole thing happened in minutes. What Brenda didn't count on, however, was the presence of security cameras in the garage. The footage captured the Black Jeep Cherokee entering and leaving the scene, as well as the shadowy figures involved.
Starting point is 03:25:04 It wasn't much, but it was enough to start unraveling her plan. The investigation unfolds. The murder of Kendra Hatcher shocked the Dallas community. This wasn't the kind of crime people expected in such an upscale area. Kendra's family and friends were devastated, and the media quickly picked up the story. As detectives began piecing together the case, they reviewed the security footage from the garage and started tracing the black Jeep Cherokee. It didn't take long for them to link the vehicle to Crystal Cortez. Crystal, when brought in for questioning, cracked under pressure.
Starting point is 03:25:36 She confessed to her role in the crime but tried to minimize her involvement, claiming she thought they were only going to scare Kendra, not kill her. She also pointed investigators toward Brenda Delgado, the mastermind behind it all. When police questioned Brenda, she initially played innocent. She painted herself as a heartbroken woman who had nothing to do with Kendra's murder. But as more evidence came to light, texts, phone records, and witness statements, it became clear that Brenda had orchestrated everything. The truth comes out, Brenda's motive was painfully clear.
Starting point is 03:26:09 She couldn't handle the idea of Ricky being happy with someone else, especially someone like Kendra. In her twisted mind, eliminating Kendra was the only way to reclaim the life she thought she deserved. But Brenda underestimated the consequences of her actions. While Crystal and Christopher were arrested relatively quickly, Brenda fled the country. She crossed the border into Mexico, where she hoped to avoid extradition and live as a fugitive. For months, Brenda remained on the run, but she couldn't stay hidden forever.
Starting point is 03:26:38 In April 2016, Mexican authorities arrested her in Torian, Coelweila, and she was eventually extradited back to the United States to face justice. Justice for Kendra, in court, the details of Brenda's obsession, jealousy, and manipulation came to light. Crystal Cortez and Christopher Love were both convicted for their roles in the murder. Christopher received the death penalty, while Crystal received a lesser sentence in exchange for her cooperation. Brenda, the mastermind behind it all, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. A tragic end, Kendra Hatcher's life was taken far too soon, and the senselessness of her death left a lasting impact on everyone who knew her. She was a bright, loving,
Starting point is 03:27:19 and compassionate woman whose only crime was falling in love with the wrong man at the wrong time. As for Brenda Delgado, her story serves as a chilling reminder of how jealousy and obsession can spiral out of control, leading to devastating consequences. And Ricky? He had to live with the guilt and pain of knowing that his past relationship had played a role in such a horrific crime. It all started with an online job posting that seemed too good to be true. Someone was looking for a caretaker to maintain a large ranch, 688 acres of land to manage, a few cows to feed, and in exchange, a solid paycheck and a cozy two-bedroom trailer to live in. For anyone looking for a fresh start, it sounded like the
Starting point is 03:27:59 perfect deal. And that's exactly what caught Ralph's attention. Ralph Henry Geiger, 56 years old, had been going through a rough patch. Back in the 1970s, Ralph had been just another high school graduate chasing dreams. He moved to California and spent years working alongside his dad in an antique shop. Business was good for a while, but as life often does, it threw curveballs. By the 1990s, Ralph returned to Ohio and opened his own shop. For a time, things were great. He was successful enough to hire employees, had loyal customers, and was making good money. But then the economy took a nosedive, and everything fell apart. His shop closed, and soon he couldn't make ends meet. By 2011, Ralph was homeless, staying at a shelter in Akron.
Starting point is 03:28:47 It wasn't just the lack of a home or job that weighed on him. Ralph's personal life was equally empty. He'd never married, never had kids. His family was still around, parents, siblings, but he barely kept in touch with them. The loneliness ate away at him. To cope, he'd tell little lies to people, painting a picture of a life he didn't have. He'd tell strangers that he'd been married, that he had a son, even grandkids. It was all make-believe, but it made him feel less, alone.
Starting point is 03:29:17 He even introduced a younger friend, Summer Rowley, as his daughter sometimes. Summer was a 26-year-old who used to clean Ralph's house before things went south. Over time, they'd stayed friends, and she helped him out when she could, a little cashier, a meal there. That summer, Ralph spent most of his days at the public library, scouring the internet for job postings. One day, he stumbled upon the ad for the ranch caretaker position. The pay was decent, dollar three hundred a week, and it came with a place to stay. The owner claimed it was a quiet, peaceful area, with the nearest neighbor a mile away.
Starting point is 03:29:52 There was just one odd detail, the location wasn't specified. The ad simply mentioned that it was somewhere near Noble County, Ohio. The owner explained that it was for safety reasons. It was a little weird, but Ralph didn't think much of it. Excited by the opportunity, Ralph called Summer to share the news. She immediately felt uneasy. Something about the ad didn't sit right with her. The isolation, the lack of cell service in the area, it all seemed risky.
Starting point is 03:30:20 But Ralph was too excited to listen. To him, this was his chance to start over, to rebuild his life. He packed his bags, said goodbye to Summer, and headed off to meet his new employer. That was the last time Summer heard from him. After Ralph disappeared, Summer tried to reach him. She called and texted, but his phone was off. Days turned into weeks, and still no word. At first, she assumed he was just off the grid, trying to adjust to his new life.
Starting point is 03:30:49 Ralph had a habit of disappearing now and then, reinventing himself when things got tough. But as the weeks dragged on, she started to worry. Then, one day, she called his number and a stranger answered. The person explained they'd recently been assigned that number, and Summer's heart sank. Ralph was gone, and she had no idea where or why. Fast forward to October 2011. Another man, David Michael Pauley, came across the same job posting. David, 51, had also hit Rock Bottom.
Starting point is 03:31:21 Not long ago, he'd been living a stable, happy life. He was married, had a child, and everything seemed fine, until his marriage fell apart. The divorce left him shattered. At 50, he found himself single, struggling to figure out how to start over. Like Ralph, David turned to the Internet for answers. He joined dating sites, tried making new friends, and searched for job opportunities. That's when he saw the ranch caretaker ad. To David, the job seemed like the perfect escape.
Starting point is 03:31:51 A new home, steady income, and a chance to leave his troubles behind. He was so excited about the prospect that he told his twin sister, Deborah. He described how amazing it sounded, how this could be his shot at happiness. But Deborah wasn't convinced. Something about the job didn't feel right to her. She pointed out the red flags, the isolation, the vague details, and begged him to reconsider. But David brushed off her concerns. He assured her he'd be fine and went ahead with the plan.
Starting point is 03:32:22 David responded to the ad and quickly got a reply. The employer seemed eager to hire him, and within minutes, they arranged to meet. On October 22, 2011, David called his sister to share the good news. It was the last time she ever heard from him. A month later, in November 2011, Scott Davis, a 48-year-old landscaper from South Carolina, came across the same ad. Scott had a good life, a steady job, a wife, kids. But his mother's health was failing, and she lived far away in Akron, Ohio.
Starting point is 03:32:55 Scott wanted to be closer to her, but he couldn't just approve his life. He needed a job nearby to make it work. So, he turned to Craigslist, hoping to find something flexible and local. That's when he found the ranch caret to. take her position. It seemed like the answer to his prayers. The employer responded quickly, and they arranged to meet. Scott was cautious but hopeful. On the day of the meeting, he was greeted by two men, Jack, the ranch owner, and his teenage nephew, Brogan. They seemed like typical Midwestern farmers, dressed simply in speaking with an easygoing charm.
Starting point is 03:33:30 Jack explained the job in detail, and Scott felt at ease. But then the questions got weird. Jack asked if Scott had any military experience, if he knew how to fight, if he carried a weapon. Scott, being an honest guy, admitted he wasn't a fighter and didn't own any guns. Despite this, Jack seemed satisfied and invited Scott to visit the ranch. The three of them piled into a truck, with Brogan driving, Jack in the passenger seat, and Scott in the back. They drove deep into the woods, farther and farther from civilization. Eventually, they reached a point where Scott's phone lost signal. Jack suddenly told Brogan to stop the truck.
Starting point is 03:34:09 He explained that they'd recently hunted a deer nearby and wanted to check on it. Scott agreed to tag along, curious about the area. Jack and Scott walked into the woods, leaving Brogan in the truck. After about ten minutes, Jack stopped to tie his shoe while Scott walked ahead. That's when he heard it, the unmistakable sound of a gun being cocked. Scott turned around and saw Jack pointing a pistol at him. thinking, Scott bolted. Gunshots rang out as he zigzagged through the trees, desperate to escape. One of the bullets grazed him, but he kept running, adrenaline driving him forward.
Starting point is 03:34:44 For eight long hours, Scott hit in a dense forest, terrified that Jack was still hunting him. When night fell, he finally emerged and stumbled upon a farmhouse. He banged on the door, begging for help. The homeowner called 911, and Scott's nightmare finally came to an end. An hour later, she returns alone to that building, saying she is desperately looking for Lelia, that she can't find her anywhere, that she knows nothing about her. But then Matilda Elena Fuentes, the doorman's wife, tells her that the last time they saw her was leaving with her from that same building. And then she gives a very strange excuse and leaves, saying that Lelia felt very unwell
Starting point is 03:35:24 halfway and decided to return home until she felt better. Let's begin, Yamorano was a charming. woman. She always wore her best outfits, knew what to say and when to say it, and she associated with the most influential people. On top of all this, it was said that you could entrust her with your soul, as she was so kind she wouldn't her to fly. Unfortunately, the image people had of her turned out to be wrong. Maria de Las Mercedes Bernardina Bala Aponte de Marano, better known as Yamerano, was born on May 20th, 1930, in Corrientes, Argentina, into a well-known military family. She was always, as I've already mentioned, a charming,
Starting point is 03:36:07 brilliant woman, and her charisma made her stand out far above the average. She came from high society and always mingled with the most important people. At some point, she married a prestigious lawyer named Antonio Marano, and with him, she had her only son, Martine Marano. However, from this point on, we must dig deeper into Yaw's story. truth, this woman was not as perfect as everyone thought. Yamarano hardly took care of her only son. In fact, he stated on several occasions that it was a nanny who raised him. I'm her biological son, but I don't feel like her son.
Starting point is 03:36:46 To me, she's someone close, but not a mother. A housemaid did some of the mother's role. Martine Marano, she was also addicted to shopping. She spent all her money on designer clothes and dozens of jewel. Because of this, any money she might have had disappeared, and debts took its place. To top it all off, Yaw was a compulsive liar. She was incapable of admitting she was broke and told everyone she had a lot of money, that she knew influential people, invented friends and stories, anything rather than face the harsh reality.
Starting point is 03:37:22 Her problems reached a point where it was impossible to lie to her husband anymore. She had so many lovers that it was impossible to keep them hidden. I acted very differently from what she did. I remember she used to have breakfast with male friends and told me not to tell Dad. I thought the world was like that, but then I realized that we were the Adams family. Martine Marano, with all this, the Marano marriage ended in divorce. Thanks to this, Yarr received a pension, but she spent so much daily that it didn't last. Unfortunately, the debts piled up quickly.
Starting point is 03:37:59 That's when she decided to hatch the purpose. perfect plan, investments. When someone invests money, they know that if it goes well, they might even double it. That's where she found the perfect business, because she didn't plan to invest her money, but rather other peoples. Yamorano was a great manipulator and knew exactly what to say to convince anyone. Through her charm, she convinced those around her to give her money so she could, invest it. The first to trust her was her cousin, Carmen Zulema del Giorgio de Venturini, better known as Mima. This woman had recently been widowed, and her late husband had left her a large inheritance. That made her the perfect victim. Mima and Ye had always had a
Starting point is 03:38:42 great relationship, Mima would gift her plants, and Yai in return would prepare teas and sweet cookies that she baked herself. During one of their meetings, Ya proposed an investment. She didn't ask for much, just a small amount to try her luck. And magically, the amount of was doubled. Later, she asked if Mima wanted to invest more. That's when Mima gave her 20 million pesos. That amount was insane, so to ensure everything was legal, Yamorano, on March 27, 1979, gave her a promissory note assuring she would get her money back, even doubled. The first investment had gone great, so Mima only had to wait for the second to do just as well. Meanwhile, word spread, and the story of the Great Investment
Starting point is 03:39:30 reached two more women, Nilda Delina Gamba, Yas neighbor, and Alita Formasano de Yala, a friend of hers. Of course, both women wanted to invest with her. From that point, they became friends and business partners, going out together,
Starting point is 03:39:46 shopping, taking walks, going to the movies. They became practically inseparable. It was something out of a Hollywood movie. But like all idyllic stories, this one comes to an end, and a very tragic one. On Friday, February 9, 1979, Nilda Gamba went to dine at Yamorano's home.
Starting point is 03:40:08 She was supposed to receive her investment return that day. But Ya said she didn't have the money yet. She was her friend, so she trusted her completely and extended the deadline. They enjoyed dinner and spent time together until 1 a.m. After that, Milda gathered her things and went home. The next morning, she woke up feeling terrible, nausea, dizziness, sharp stomach pains. She rushed to the nearest hospital, where a doctor diagnosed her with food poisoning. But that night, her symptoms worsened, she fell into a coma and died on February 11th.
Starting point is 03:40:46 Yaw, wanting to avoid suspicion, started looking for a doctor to sign the death certificate, without seeing the body, and confirmed the cause of death. The first doctor she went to, Dr. Torner, refused without seeing the body, as that would be illegal. So she found another doctor, and for a small fee, he wrote, non-traumatic cardiac arrest. Days after Nilda's death, Ye had to return money to another friend, this time Liliya Alita for Misano de Yala. On this occasion, Yeah went to the woman's house. While having tea and cookies, she said she didn't have the money yet and asked for more time. Lelia trusted her and agreed.
Starting point is 03:41:27 Together, they planned a trip to Mar del Plata for the 19th of that same month. Unfortunately, strange things began to happen that day. That morning, Ya picked up Lelia, went to her house, grabbed her suitcases, and they both went downstairs. Carlos Alberto Zamora saw them leave the building together. An hour later, Yah returned alone, saying she was desperately looking for Lelia, couldn't find her anywhere, and had no idea what had happened. Matilda Elena Fuentes, the doorman's wife, told her they saw her leave with Lelia. Ya gave a strange excuse, that Lelia felt unwell
Starting point is 03:42:05 halfway and decided to return home. Matilda asked if she wanted to go upstairs to ring Lelia's doorbell, but Yah refused, saying she didn't want to bother her and would come back later. That evening, Yah returned, but not alone. She brought other women, supposedly. to take Lelia to the movies. But she wasn't answering the phone or the doorbell, so the women left without her. Everyone decided to give her some space. Time passed, and Lelia gave no signs of life. On February 22, 1979, or repugnant, putrid odor emerged from Lillia's apartment.
Starting point is 03:42:45 Neighbors called the police. When they entered, they found her body sitting in front of the TV, next to a plate of fish and some The Cause of Death Non-traumatic myocardial infarction On March 24th of that same year, it was Mima's turn. She began to feel very sick, nausea, dizziness, stomach pain. She left her house and tried to get to the hospital. Unfortunately, she collapsed from dizziness and fell down the stairs.
Starting point is 03:43:16 The fall was so loud the neighbors came out to see what happened, and found her unconscious. They called an ambulance. Meanwhile, Yaw spoke to the building's doorman and asked for the spare key to Mima's apartment, saying she needed her notebook with all her contacts, family, friends, etc. Who better than her to go get it? The doorman handed her the keys. But she didn't come back with a notebook, she returned with a jar of cookies and a handful of papers. Mima died, and Yah asked the doctor if an autopsy was necessary.
Starting point is 03:43:51 He said no, it was clearly a heart attack. Days passed. While Mima's daughters cleaned her apartment, they realized the promissory notes from Yaw were gone. They asked the doorman if anyone else had entered. That's when they discovered Ya had gone in and taken the notes, and the cookies she had once gifted her dearest friend. From there, the daughters discovered that two other women had died under similar circumstances, and Yah was linked to all three.
Starting point is 03:44:19 They pressured doctors to perform an autopsy on their mother, and found cyanide in her body. Cyanide that Ya had placed in the cookies and tea. The bodies of the other victims were exhumed, and all of them had cyanide. So on April 27th of that same year, Yamurana was arrested and charged with defrauding and poisoning three women. You might think prison would be tough, but the truth is, other inmates treated her like a queen. Everyone adored her and thought she was a great person. On June 15th, 1982, due to health issues, Judge Unhell Mercado acquitted her, and she was set free. But thanks to the family's pressure, she was re-imprisoned on June 28, 1985, and sentenced to 25 years for her crimes.
Starting point is 03:45:08 It said that when she was freed on November 20, 1995, she gifted a box of chocolates to the judges who released her. But no one knows if they ate them, or threw them away. I was convicted of three poisonings. In two cases, forensic reports showed there was no trace of poisoning, the cyanide levels were consistent with 12 normal bodies tested. The third case is different, they found a huge amount of poison in my poor cousin. When I got to the building, the doorman said she'd fallen down the stairs. A doctor was treating her with mouth to mouth.
Starting point is 03:45:44 This was ignored at trial, someone who does CPR on a person who took cyanide risks death or severe burns. Imagine, a cyanide pill the size of an aspirin can kill a strong man in seconds. My cousin had the equivalent of 20 pills, without any internal injuries. How did it get into her body? Her final years were spent in a nursing home, estranged from her son, who could no longer see her as a mother. Martin Marano wrote a book about her with shocking claims. Claims ya herself called defamatory. However, on the program boss did the to do, Martin said, I went to see her so she would turn herself in. She tried to kill me when I was a kid. She gave me a poison cake when I was 10. When I brought it to my mouth, she snatched it away and told me the tea bag had cyanide in it. There were more deaths for which she was never charged. Some say there were seven. Until her death in 2014, incredibly, Ya was still beloved. Public opinion was divided between those who saw her as a charming murderer and those who believed she was innocent.
Starting point is 03:46:53 She was so popular that she appeared on numerous TV shows, where people joked about her poisoned cookies. But now it's your turn, what do you think of this case? Do you think Yah was guilty of everything? The end. To fully understand this case, we need to travel back to the 19th century. century. It was a time when thousands of German immigrants arrived in Pennsylvania, escaping religious fanaticism in their homeland. Pennsylvania, at the time, was remarkably open-minded. They welcomed all sorts of beliefs, religions, and even magical practices, as long as they weren't
Starting point is 03:47:27 illegal. This created a safe haven for countless immigrants, a melting pot of cultures and traditions. The German settlers brought with them their old world customs, beliefs, and superstitions. These were soon mingled with those of the new world. creating entirely new practices and traditions. Each family, each person, had their own interpretation of religion, the Bible, and magical customs. But despite their differences, they all shared one thing in common, a deep-rooted belief in magic.
Starting point is 03:47:56 Everyone had their own remedies, superstitions, and magical recipes. Some were for health, like homemade soups and ointments for headaches or stomachaches. Others were for social and economic troubles, amulets to wear around the neck, rules like not walking walking under ladders, or covering mirrors after someone passed away. These were ingrained traditions, especially in rural areas. At the more structured end of the spectrum of these magical beliefs was something called pow-wowing. This wasn't your average spell casting, it was a form of faith healing.
Starting point is 03:48:28 People believed it was a gift from God, meant to cure illnesses or solve problems. Practitioners of this craft were called powwowers. They were seen as healers, individuals who could help simply by touching you or reciting special prayers. Here's the thing about pow-wowing, it wasn't just a talent anyone could develop. The knowledge was passed down from generation to generation, written in notebooks or journals filled with spells, recipes, and rituals. And there were rules. First, this gift was considered divine.
Starting point is 03:48:58 It was meant to help others, not for personal gain. Second, the knowledge wasn't passed directly between men or women. Instead, fathers taught daughters, and mothers taught sons. It was an unbreakable tradition. But, as with any practice, there were rumors of people using magic for evil. Stories spread about witches who cast curses and caused harm, though most of this was probably folklore. Despite the accusations and the fear surrounding them, most powwowers claimed to be good, insisting
Starting point is 03:49:27 they only healed and never harmed. Yet fear is a powerful thing. People were terrified. A bad harvest, a failed romance or a sudden illness was often blamed on curses. This paranoia and fear of the unknown played a huge role in what was about to unfold. By the mid-19th century, many of these spells and rituals were being written down in books, and one of the most famous was The Long Lost Friend, published in 1819. For powwowers, this book was essential, it was the ultimate guide, containing all the wisdom
Starting point is 03:49:58 and magical recipes they needed. Without it, you weren't considered a legitimate powwower. And that's where our story really begins. John Blymire, born in 1895 in York County, Pennsylvania, John Blymire came from a family of powwowers. For three generations, his family had practiced this craft, and there were high hopes for John to carry on the tradition as the fourth generation. But things didn't exactly go as planned. As a child, John seemed to have a natural gift. By the age of seven, he was already learning spells, recipes, and remedies. He was outgoing and eager to learn. But as he grew older,
Starting point is 03:50:36 his life took a downward spiral. John had fragile health and was often sick. He struggled in school, not just academically, his IQ was far below average. He was socially awkward, couldn't make friends, and even farming didn't seem to suit him. Worst of all, his magical abilities weren't developing as expected. His family didn't know what to do with him. John, however, believed his struggles weren't his fault. He convinced himself he was cursed, that his powers were being blocked by some dark force.
Starting point is 03:51:06 This obsession consumed him. Then one day, something extraordinary happened, or at least John thought it was extraordinary. While working at a cigar factory, he and some co-workers were attacked by a rabid dog. The dog was foaming at the mouth and growling aggressively, but John managed to calm it. He extended his hand, muttered a prayer, and, miraculously, the dog stopped and seemed to recover. Witnesses were convinced John had real powers, and John believed it too. But his joy was short-lived. When he got home, he fell seriously ill, Bedridden for weeks.
Starting point is 03:51:42 He became convinced that another powwower had cursed him out of jealousy. John's paranoia grew worse. He couldn't eat or sleep, and he became obsessed with breaking the supposed curse. He tried performing spells on himself, but nothing worked. According to tradition, he needed to know who had cursed him to lift it. And then, one night, he had a dream. In his dream, an owl perched on his windowsill at midnight and hooted seven times. John took this as a sign and concluded the curse had been placed on him by his great-grandfather
Starting point is 03:52:12 Jacob, a powerful powwow who had been the seventh son of a seventh son. Unfortunately, since Jacob was dead, John couldn't fight the curse directly. His only option was to flee, from his family, from his home, from Jacob's grave. John moved away and tried to start over. For a while, things improved. He got married to a woman named Lily, and they had two children. But tragedy struck when both children died young. These losses sent John spiraling again.
Starting point is 03:52:41 He became convinced his wife was involved in the curses against him, and the paranoia took over his life. Desperate for answers, John visited a local powwowern named Lenhart. After paying for a session, Lenhart confirmed John's fears, he was indeed cursed, and the culprit was someone close to him, maybe a friend or family member. immediately assumed it was Lily. Their marriage became unbearable, filled with arguments and distrust. Lily, fearing for her safety, sought legal help.
Starting point is 03:53:09 John was ordered to undergo psychiatric evaluation. Doctors found he had obsessive tendencies and was highly gullible. His low IQ made him easy to manipulate, and he had a habit of blowing small problems out of proportion. He was recommended for psychiatric treatment, but John refused. He was convinced he wasn't the problem, it was everyone else. Everyone was jealous of him, trying to steal his powers, plotting against him. His marriage ended, and Lily filed for divorce.
Starting point is 03:53:38 After the divorce, John's life took an even darker turn. In 1928, he returned to the cigar factory, where he met two other men who also believed they were cursed, John Curry, a 14-year-old boy with an abusive stepfather, and Milton Hess, a struggling farmer whose once thriving farm had fallen into ruin. The three bonded over their shared belief in curses. They became a trio, meeting daily to discuss their problems and reinforce each other's paranoia. Eventually, they became convinced they were all cursed by the same person, a powerful powwower
Starting point is 03:54:09 named Nelson Remayer. The target, Nelson Remayer, Nelson Remayer was a respected powwower in the community. He came from a long line of healers and was known for his generosity and kindness. Nelson lived in a modest home where he conducted his healing practices and consultations. John Blymire, however, saw Nelson as a dangerous and evil man. Encouraged by his friends, John sought out a witch for advice. The witch, Nellie Knoll, known as the River Witch of Marietta, performed a ritual to help John identify his supposed curse caster.
Starting point is 03:54:42 In the ritual, John claimed to see Nelson's face. The witch instructed John on how to break the curse, he needed to steal a lock of Nelson's hair and his copy of the long-lost friend, then bury them six feet underground. This, she said, would free him and his friends from the curse. Fueled by this plan, the three men set out to confront Nelson. Confronting Nelson Remayer, on November 27, 1928, John Blymire, Milton Hess, and John Curry set out to visit Nelson Remayr. Their original plan was simple, obtain a lock of Nelson's hair, steal his long-lost friend
Starting point is 03:55:16 book, and quietly leave. They believed this would break the curse. Nelson lived in a secluded house in York County, known as Riemair's Hollow. When the trio arrived, Nelson greeted them warmly. He was polite and welcoming, unaware of their intentions. The men entered his home, pretending they were just visiting to talk about pow-wowing. Nelson entertained them, and the evening passed without incident. Despite their plan, the three men hesitated to act.
Starting point is 03:55:43 Nelson didn't seem like the evil sorcerer they had imagined. He was calm and kind, not at all the villain they had built up in their minds. As the hours ticked by, the trio grew more uneasy. They spent the night at Nelson's house, waiting for the right moment to carry out their mission. But by morning, they had lost their nerve and left empty-handed. John Blymire, however, was not ready to give up. His obsession with breaking the curse consumed him.
Starting point is 03:56:10 He convinced Milton and John Curry to return to Nelson's house the following night to finish what they had started. The attack, the second visit to Nelson's house was far less cordial. This time, the trio was determined to follow through with their plan, no matter the cost. When they arrived, Nelson was again welcoming, but the men quickly turned on him. They confronted Nelson, accusing him of placing curses on them. Nelson, confused and likely alarmed, denied the accusations. But the men weren't satisfied.
Starting point is 03:56:40 What happened next was nothing short of brutal. The trio attacked Nelson, beating him severely. In the chaos, they demanded he hand over his long-lost friend book and a lock of his hair. Nelson fought back, but he was outnumbered. At some point during the attack, things escalated far beyond what any of them had likely intended. Nelson was fatally beaten. His body lay motionless on the floor. Realizing what they had done, the three men panicked.
Starting point is 03:57:08 They hadn't planned to kill Nelson, they only wanted to lift the curse. But now, they had a dead man in front of them. In a desperate attempt to cover up their crime, they decided to set the house on fire, hoping to destroy the evidence. They doused Nelson's body in parts of the house with kerosene and lit the fire. But their plan backfired. The fire didn't spread as they had hoped. Nelson's house was built with thick timber that resisted the flames. Instead of burning to the ground, only part of the house was damaged.
Starting point is 03:57:38 The trio fled, leaving behind a gruesome scene. The investigation, when Nelson's body was discovered, the community was horrified. News of the murder spread quickly, and the strange circumstances surrounding it captivated the public. It didn't take long for authorities to track down John Blymire, Milton Hess, and John Curry. Their behavior in the days following the murder had raised suspicions, and the police were able to piece together their involvement. During questioning, all three men confessed to the crime. They revealed their belief that Nelson had cursed them and admitted their plan to lift the curse by stealing his book and hair. The trial that
Starting point is 03:58:14 followed was sensational. Reporters flocked to York County to cover the bizarre story of magic, curses, and murder. The public was both fascinated and appalled. The defense tried to argue that John Blymire was mentally unstable, pointing to his obsessive belief in curses and his gullibility. They claimed he genuinely believed he was under a curse and that his actions were driven by this delusion. The prosecution, however, painted a different picture. They argued that the murder was premeditated and that the trio had acted out of greed and superstition, not self-defense or necessity. The verdict, in the end, all three men were. men were found guilty of murder. John Blymeyer received a life sentence, while Milton Hess and
Starting point is 03:58:55 John Curry were sentenced to shorter prison terms due to their younger ages and perceived lesser roles in the crime. The trial left a lasting impression on the community. It exposed the darker side of rural superstitions and the devastating consequences of paranoia and fear. The legacy, the murder of Nelson Remayer became one of Pennsylvania's most infamous cases, a chilling tale of how belief in curses and magic spiraled into violence. Reemeyer's House, now known as Reemeyer's Hollow, still stands to this day. It has become a local legend, with some claiming it is haunted by Nelson's spirit. Visitors to the site often report strange occurrences, from unexplained noises to eerie sensations. For many, the story
Starting point is 03:59:35 serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of superstition and the consequences of letting fear control our actions. But for others, it's a reminder of the complex and sometimes unsettling history of powwowing and the role it played in rural Pennsylvania life. A Latvian man, Igvars Collins, has received an official apology from the Metropolitan Police following an incident where he was wrongfully arrested last year. The 20-year-old, who is a trainee police officer from Tallinn, Estonia, had been in London visiting friends when he found himself embroiled in an incident outside White City tube station. Initially hailed as a hero for his brave actions, Collins's involvement quickly became the center of controversy when he was mistaken for a criminal
Starting point is 04:00:17 and arrested, an event that would lead to a significant legal battle and eventual compensation. Collins was caught up in a violent mugging when he witnessed a frail elderly Indian woman being accosted by two individuals. These men, clad and balaclava's, had forcefully stolen her handbag and were attempting to flee the scene on a motorbike. Without hesitation, Collins, despite being a foreigner in a city far from home, sprang into action. He approached one of the muggers, tackled him, and managed to overpower him. In the process, he dislocated the muggers' jaw, before successfully restraining him, keeping the thief's hands behind his back, ensuring he couldn't flee.
Starting point is 04:01:00 Collins' s brave intervention likely prevented the elderly woman from facing further harm, and yet, the situation took a bizarre and tragic turn. while Collins was undoubtedly trying to do the right thing, the chaos of the moment led to confusion among the bystanders who had gathered. Witnesses to the scene, who likely didn't have all the facts, wrongly assumed that Collins was not the hero of the situation, but the aggressor. Some even believed that he had launched a racially motivated attack. This misinterpretation of events led to Collins being wrongly accused of being the perpetrator rather than the savior. To make matters worse, when Collins attempted to clarify the situation, things got even more complicated.
Starting point is 04:01:44 He ordered the onlookers to stay back and informed them that he was, in fact, a police officer. According to the bystanders, he repeatedly said, I am a police officer, we wait for backup. Despite his statements, the growing crowd did not seem to trust his words, and the situation spiraled out of control. When metropolitan police officers arrived at the scene, they immediately arrested Collins, not understanding the full context of the situation. He was charged with several serious offenses, including grievous bodily harm, GBAH, resisting arrest, and impersonating a police officer. His quick thinking and courageous actions were, in the eyes of the law, interpreted as something much more sinister. As Collins's case moved through the court system,
Starting point is 04:02:32 his lawyer argued that his statements were misunderstood. His defense contended that Colin had not been impersonating an officer but was simply trying to defuse a tense situation while waiting for real police backup. His actions were not fraudulent, rather, he was making every effort to handle the situation in a calm and controlled manner. According to his lawyer, Collins was trying to reassure the crowd and bring order to the confusion, and his words were misconstrued. In the court case that followed, several bystanders, including the victim of the mugging, provided witness statements that helped clarify the misunderstanding. These accounts played a critical role in Collins S acquittal of the charges related to resisting
Starting point is 04:03:14 arrest and impersonating a police officer. However, despite being acquitted on those charges, the court found that Collins S actions in restraining the mugger had been disproportionate to the situation. While his intentions were commendable, the level of force he used was deemed excessive, resulting in a conviction for G.B.H. For this offense, Collins was given a suspended sentence, meaning that he would not serve jail time but would be under the threat of imprisonment if he committed any future offenses. Although his legal battle was far from over, Collins soon found himself involved in a civil case against the Metropolitan Police. His lawyer argued that his client had suffered both physically and emotionally as a result of the wrongful arrest,
Starting point is 04:03:57 which had been captured on video and posted online. The footage, which showed Collins being detained by officers, had caused significant reputational damage. The experience, his lawyer claimed, had left Collins dealing with ongoing physical injuries, as well as emotional trauma that had negatively impacted his life. Collins's case took a dramatic turn when the High Court ruled in his favor. The court recognized that his arrest had been unjustified
Starting point is 04:04:26 and that the charges against him had been wrongly applied. The judge also acknowledged that Collins had sustained injuries during the arrest, including damage to his torso, right arm, and shoulder. Additionally, his reputation had suffered considerably, and his career prospects had been harmed by the events surrounding the incident. As a result, Collins was awarded a total of 45,000 pounds in compensation. This amount included 6,400 pounds to cover his legal fee. fees, 36,600 pounds for the emotional, physical, and reputational harm he had endured, and
Starting point is 04:05:02 2,000 pounds for the health costs related to the injuries he had sustained. The court also granted Collins a written apology from the Metropolitan Police, acknowledging that the arrest was an error in assuring him that the officers involved had been appropriately disciplined and retrained. The apology from the Metropolitan Police marked the end of a long and difficult chapter for Collins. While the compensation was a financial relief, it could not undo the damage that had been done to his reputation or the trauma he had experienced as a result of the arrest. Still, the legal victory was an important step in restoring his name and holding the authorities
Starting point is 04:05:39 accountable for their mistakes. For Collins, the entire ordeal had been a reminder of how quickly things can spiral out of control, even when someone is trying to do the right thing. his actions, though motivated by a desire to help, were misinterpreted, and this led to him being punished rather than praised. The incident was a harsh lesson in the complexities of law enforcement and public perception, as well as the dangers of jumping to conclusions in chaotic situations. In the months following the trial, Collins continued to live in Australia at his aunt's house, trying to move on from the ordeal and focus on his future. Despite the challenges he faced, he remained determined to continue his studies and rebuild his life. The case had been a
Starting point is 04:06:24 defining moment for him, not only because of the legal and emotional hurdles he had overcome, but also because it had forced him to reconsider his role in law enforcement and the responsibilities that come with wearing a uniform. While the apology and compensation were a form of justice, Collins's experience raised important questions about the way law enforcement handles situations involving foreign nationals and the potential for misunderstandings in high-stress environments. It also highlighted the dangers of taking the law into one's own hands, even with the best intentions. Collins's' actions, though well-meaning, had ultimately led to significant consequences, and the case served as a cautionary tale for others who might find themselves in similar situations.
Starting point is 04:07:08 Despite the fallout, Collins remained optimistic about his future. He was still dedicated to his career in law enforcement and wanted to use the lessons he had learned to help others in the future. While the experience had been traumatic, it had also given him a new sense of resilience and determination. He knew that he could face challenges head on and that no matter how difficult the road ahead, he had the strength to overcome whatever came his way. As for the Metropolitan Police, the apology and retraining program for the officers involved was an important step toward ensuring that something like this would not happen again. While it was clear that mistakes had been made,
Starting point is 04:07:46 the steps taken to address those mistakes were a positive sign of accountability and a recognition of the need for better training and understanding of how to handle complex situations involving individuals from different backgrounds. In the end, Collins'est story was one of both tragedy and triumph. It was a story of a young man who had tried to do the right thing but found himself caught in a web of misunderstandings
Starting point is 04:08:10 and legal challenges. Yet, through perseverance and a commitment to justice, he had emerged victorious, with his reputation restored and his sense of purpose stronger than ever. His journey was a testament to the power of resilience and the importance of standing up for what is right, even in the face of adversity. Part 3. I decided to go full nuclear. Fuck her, fuck her reputation, fuck Lewis, fuck Joanna, fuck everybody. They all treated me like I was a joke. All the these years lying to my face, betraying me in every way. At the time of my last posting I had only gone through the telegram messages. That second phone of hers had email accounts dating back to before we were dating. It had texts between her and Joanna. It had Reddit accounts
Starting point is 04:08:56 I didn't know about. This bitch has been facilitating her cheating since day one. I still remember the time Flora said she was going to lunch with Joanna only for Joanna to show up at the house to drop something off. Sneaky bitch can think on her feet because she told her. totally sold me on her lies. Faking that she forgot they were meeting and needed to hustle over to the cafe. How could I be so fucking naive? I figured out through all this that, Lewis and Flora began having sex days before I asked her out, and never stopped. They have been having an affair for 16 years, right under my nose. He has dated others, gotten married, and divorced in that time. We've hung out countless times. Were each other's best
Starting point is 04:09:37 man. She has been with at least a dozen other men during that span, I'm sure more than that. Every fucking teaching conference she ever went to, it looks like she hooked up with someone or brought someone with her. The videos are literally disgusting. She has picks, vids, sexting saved all over this device. She had a video, of some fucking asshole, finishing all over her engagement ring while she's wearing it. It's dated three days after I proposed. The most painful part, there are messages between her and Lewis that imply he may be the father of Rachel. I took my kids to get DNA tests finally last week. I wasn't going to, but the worry got to me.
Starting point is 04:10:17 I have to know. I don't know what I will do if they are just side effects of her infidelity. They aren't happy with me anyway, neither is my family. They don't think I should have gone nuclear. What good does it do now, they said. Fuck that. Everyone should know what kind of woman she really was. I'm not protecting her image, listening to people say how wonderful of a person she was.
Starting point is 04:10:40 She wasn't, she was just a conniving whore. I posted everywhere. I put together hundreds of texts, message, picks, censored, voice recording, everything I could into one big file. Then I posted it on all of socials, and all of flora's. I tagged everyone I could. Lewis and Joanna for sure, even highlighted parts for everyone. A few other co-workers and friends who fucked her as well. Didn't want anyone to feel left out.
Starting point is 04:11:08 Family, friends, I even tagged the school page. That has me on, administrative leave, for the time being. It also appears there's quite an investigation going on now. Fireings are on the horizon as it looks like school grounds may have been used at times. I don't give a fuck what happens to that place. I'm leaving. I already made up my mind. I'm not staying in Eagle.
Starting point is 04:11:31 I'm going to go far, far from here. At least I got the bitch's life insurance money. Once I get the DNA results back, I'm out. Part 4. Nobody gets it, nobody. I, Sebastian 40M, found out last year after she died that my wife Flora had been cheating on me for our entire relationship. She wasn't just having an affair with one other guy, she wasn't cheating because of all the problems in our marriage, there weren't any. She was cheating because she could. She was a cake eater.
Starting point is 04:12:01 She roped me in, got me to fall for her. I was the good dad, the reliable safe supportive guy she could come home to every day. Over the years she worked me over to treating her like a queen. For that I got to find out that she used every opportunity possible to fuck other guys. They got all the crazy stuff, stuff she never wanted to do with me. We had an active sex life, but it was all love-making. Even if I asked, she always said she preferred to feel, close to me, how someone can do all that she did, I will never understand.
Starting point is 04:12:32 She is the most awful, disgusting, deceitful person I have ever met. I feel no remorse about showing the world exactly who she was. My only wish is that she was still alive to face it. Although I probably wouldn't even know still if she hadn't died. That's what hurts too. I don't get to confront her. I don't get to make her face her lies. Yes, I did blow up the lives of a lot of the people.
Starting point is 04:12:57 Notably my ex-best friend Lewis. But it just feels so unfinished. has ruined so many lives. Three people were fired from the school. I don't even know how many divorces and separations are happening. I know two friends of mine are now in divorce proceedings. Just the ultimate selfish bitch. What she has done to me, Hannah, and her kids, though, is by far the worst. I got all the DNA tests back shortly after my last posting. Only Hannah is my child. Rachel and Julia have the same father, Lewis. I was also able to find the evidence that he did know this. It kind of explains why he always seemed so much
Starting point is 04:13:37 more supportive and interested in them than Wyatt or Hannah. Thanks to ancestry testing kits, we also figured out that Wyatt is the son of an assistant principal that worked at our school for two years before moving on to a different district. I made sure to post all the messages between him and Flora, along with the test results to his Facebook and his wife's Facebook. This is what has everyone up my ass at the moment. I honestly don't know what they all want from me. Rachel, Wyatt, and Julia are not my kids, they are just these constant reminders that my dead wife was a deranged sociopath. I have moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico with Hannah. I did not bring the other three with me, I care about their well-being,
Starting point is 04:14:16 and hold them at no fault, but I do not love them anymore. They should have been raised by their own fathers. My parents have decided to take them in. Because of this I have gone no contact with my family. I only deal with them in regards to the legal matters at hand. I had immediately cut off my dead wife's side of the family the first time they brought up the concept of forgiveness. I will never forgive. Currently I am in the legal process of disowning Flores' three children. My parents did accept guardianship of them immediately and I have been paying child support. However, since I have clear evidence of who the biological fathers are I have filed to end my child's support of the three children. My lawyer thinks I have a very good chance of pulling this off.
Starting point is 04:14:58 I am also searching for legal grounds in which to file suit against these two men in an effort to recoup some of the financial burden I have been under for the last 14 years. Since moving to Santa Fe, I have changed careers. I am now working as a loan officer, which not surprisingly pays quite a bit better than being a teacher. I have a small one-bedroom apartment and the child support wipes out a lot of my funds every month. I am pushing to get my case resolved quickly so that I can begin to rebuild my life. Hannah has taken the transition hard. She is only eight years old and doesn't fully understand why we moved or why she can't see Flora's children. To her they are her brother and sisters, but I have been trying to explain to her
Starting point is 04:15:37 that they are not, and never were. They were simply by products of her mother's lies. We are adjusting. I would like to put her into therapy, but that won't be possible until I clear up these legal matters. I am only 40 years old now. I can still find someone to grow old with, I can still have more children of my own. It may take some time, but I'm not giving up on my life. I have a lot of good times ahead of me. Part 5. My name is Sebastian, 60M, I have been with my wonderful wife, Olga 57F, for the last 19 years. Technically we are not married, I refuse to ever get married again, but we do refer to each other as husband and wife. We have two sons to together, Kurt, 18M, and Lee, 15M. For the most part the last 20 years of my life have been
Starting point is 04:16:24 pretty good. I have a very committed and loving relationship with Olga. We met when I was at my lowest. My first wife had died suddenly, and in the aftermath of her passing I learned that she was a pathological cheater. She had cheated with many people in my life, and three of her children were fathered by other men. However, she led me to believe that they were my children. As it turned out, only our youngest child Hannah was my biological child. Hannah lived with me until she was 18 years old and moved out when she went to college. She had some troubles during her adolescent years, which was to be expected after the damage that her mother caused her.
Starting point is 04:17:01 She rebounded, though, and we have had a pretty solid relationship. Most of the friction we did have centered around the feelings she had for her half-siblings, and grandparents. It took a long time to get her to understand. The last 10 to 12 years or so though have been good, and largely devoid of any mention of the past. When I met Olga, it was like everything turned around. I won a number of legal battles that allowed me to move on from my past. These two events have been the catalyst that has allowed me to live to the fullest for the last 20 years. My family and I have visited every continent,
Starting point is 04:17:33 except Antarctica. We love to travel and experience the world. My sons and I have a bond that I have always cherished. It began before they were even born. My wife, knowing the trauma of my past marriage, had them both paternity tested in utero just to ease my mind. There is no chance they are someone else's. Hannah has been a good big sister to them. This leads me to my biggest issue in many years. Hannah and I have built a good relationship, after the rough patch I mentioned above. When she graduated high school, she went to New Mexico Saint University in Las Cruces. She did very well graduated after four years. She found a job there and has lived in Los Cruces since then. She still came home during breaks in college and for the whole summer. Since graduating,
Starting point is 04:18:20 I get to see her about four times a year. I make one trip down a year and she comes home on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Memorial weekend. I'm saying all this to show that we do have a great relationship, and were able to overcome all the chaos caused by her mother. The issue is, she apparently reconnected with her half-siblings about four years ago. I had no idea. I also can't understand how she can do this, knowing how much distress this would cause me. As it turns out, she also reconnected with my father.
Starting point is 04:18:49 He is the only grandparent she has that is still alive. From what I understand he is still doing fairly well for a man of 83 years. I could maybe get past this. Liva, don't ask, don't tell, situation between her and them. Yet, the other half of this is unacceptable. Two and half years ago Hannah met her fiancé Tony. They don't work together, but the places they work at are next to each other. I like Tony a lot, he treats Hannah well and is an upstanding young man.
Starting point is 04:19:19 Their wedding is set for one month from now. I have minimally contributed to her wedding. Tony's family comes from some wealth, not world-changing, but they are doing very well. With that being the case, and him being the one that really wants a large wedding, his family is huge, he has six siblings, and something like 25 first cousins, they are largely footing the bill. As the father of the bride, I am obviously on task to walk her down the aisle, give a speech, and have a daddy-slash-daughter dance. Hannah, however, just informed me that she has invited Rachel, Wyatt, Julia, and my father to the wedding. I am 100% against this
Starting point is 04:19:55 and have made this known to her. I do not want any contact with these people. That especially goes for my father who chose my cheating whore ex-wife's children over me. The other three I hold no ill-will towards, it was their mother's doing, but at the same time I have no desire to see them. It's just too painful. I think what is also causing me some level of uneasiness is that my son seemed to think I should put the past behind me. I will never forgive, I will never forget. They think I should just be there for Hannah on this one day. My wife is largely supportive of me and has told me that I do not have to attend if I do not wish to. That I have made my feelings clear to Hannah, and that it is now in her hands to make a decision.
Starting point is 04:20:36 She will not attend if I choose not to. This is dredging up all sorts of negative emotions I haven't had to deal with in a long time. I hate the idea of missing my daughter's wedding, but I cannot in good conscience be around those associated with the worst period of my life. I just think I need help in figuring out how best to get Hannah to see the error in this. How do I get her to understand once again? Part 6, even after being dead for 20 years, that fucking cunt finds a way to fuck my life. About two weeks ago now my daughter Hannah had her wedding. In the weeks leading up I made it abundantly clear that I was not comfortable having her half-siblings or my father attend.
Starting point is 04:21:13 It all came to a head with a big argument between Hannah and I ten days before the wedding. She called me selfish and weak. I pushed back and she just opened this floodgate, telling me how awful I was for cutting her off from her entire life. That she was eight years old and had just lost her mother when her father suddenly went on a personal mission to destroy every positive memory anyone had of her. That she justified all my actions, and tried to understand my point of view, but deep down always resented me for taking her away from her entire family, her home, everything. I couldn't believe this onslaught, after everything I had done to get her to understand.
Starting point is 04:21:49 Her mother was a despicable human, anyone who would side with her was equally as disgusting. The only thing that saved Hannah was that she was also half me. Apparently that wasn't enough and now she was choosing others over me as well. I told her I wouldn't be attending her wedding at all. Hannah hung up the phone at that point and we haven't spoken since. As painful as that was, the greater betrayal came at the hands of my own sons. They still attended the wedding. My wife and I stayed behind, but they said they were going to support their sister.
Starting point is 04:22:19 They even took my place. Kurt walked Hannah down the aisle. Lee gave a speech. I know this because Kurt sent me the wedding video diary yesterday. I wasn't going to watch it, but curiosity got the best of me. He only sent it to me to twist the knife. I was so angry after they spurred me and when I told them they were cut off. I told Kurt he was to move out.
Starting point is 04:22:42 I couldn't get rid of Lee but told him he was dead to me now. He had the next 2.5 years to prep because the day he turned 18 he would be leaving too. That's when Olga, who had been supportive up until that moment intervened. She told me I wasn't kicking them out, and that I would be leaving before her son's wood. We got into a huge argument and I left the house. I have been staying in a rental unit I own for the past ten days. Today, I received a buyout offer on our home. Olga is leaving me, she says she has been understanding of my pain for 20 years.
Starting point is 04:23:15 That she always believed I was a good man who had something terrible done to me. She said she knows she was wrong, yes what happened to me was terrible, but I am not a good man. That seeing it firsthand, how easily I can throw people away, has forever changed her opinion of me. Well, fuck her. They just don't get it. They will never get it. None of them. That fucking whore didn't just cheat.
Starting point is 04:23:39 She humiliated me, she fucked my friends, my co-workers, she tricked me into raising her bastard children. There is nothing worse than that. Everything about her is vile, everything that came from her, everyone she tainted. I'll accept that buyout, I'll sell my two rentals. I'll start over again. I'm moving on, I've been able to retire for a few years now and that's just what I will do, then I'm heading for somewhere far from all these traitors. I can't believe she is still doing this to me. She's dead, I destroyed her name, cut off everyone who defended her, dumped her ashes, moved far from our tainted home. And yet here I am,
Starting point is 04:24:16 all alone, with everyone turning their backs on me. Flora, you sick bitch, I guess you got the last laugh after all. Krista planned to return home had to, pick up, finish eating go, the practices but something happened that prevented. May the girl go back to, home, we start. On November 11th, 2008 Krista, he got up early from his cat and, he went to class, took notes spoke with, classmates with teachers, and then full took the bus and returned to house once there he played with his cat and, he put study he took books, placed them, in his room in the dining room in the kitchen, and more or less at five in the afternoon, he remembered that he had not eaten so it was. To the kitchen he opened the fridge.
Starting point is 04:24:58 First he found and warmed him in the, stove at 5.30 called the bell of, your house and on the other side of the door, was his friend Ricky Gelbauer according to. This Christa man was so happy, as always was cheerful animated with, strength and told him a couple of problems, that he had at that time he told him that, a week before he broke with her boyfriend and that he made his bags and went with his parents the rent had uploaded a little and she couldn't pay that yet so i was very happy with if a brought of waitress and intended to sell her car in very short another would have more money work and to move would use the bus a rick was done by a world but christa was very happy gossip they commented on some
Starting point is 04:25:39 things and then they hugged and said goodbye at six-thirty kreisa had practices in the greenhouse of Hunter Park but unfortunately not. His father appeared an hour later. He called her but immediately jumped the mailbox tried to contact her during. The next four days sent him. Messages called her but lived so far and, I had so much work that I couldn't see it. Thus he contacted two his friends for, to call the bell and see what. The girls go through the door. They contact the home maid and the three. Together they enter the apartment is there. When they meet a house, frozen in time lights on, books in the room in the dining room in there cook a plate of food that has not been tested and a very nervous cat and very sad immediately denounces the disappearance of crowlees but the days and years and never again no one knows about her again music christ robin l z was born on may second nineteen seventy four in michigan of parents just we have information but what ho we know that the girl was always an exceptional person was responsible organized very smiling and above all very Confident has an incredible capacity to make friends and everyone. I wanted madness from good little.
Starting point is 04:26:49 Love the plants and always dreamed of. Have your own greenhouse had. Many plants, many flowers, many, vines and came to consider. Study about them. Krista studied in St. Clair High School and after, graduated signed up for botany in, Sinclair County Community College after. This studied horticulture at University, Michigan State and not happy with, that intended to run for a program, postgraduate at University of Cornell. As I said before this girl, characterized by being very organized and very responsible in the morning, studied and in the afternoon I worked in, stores and restaurants in any sight they had for her. He studied work saved him, time to everything and with the passage of time. This girl managed to become independent from, Maid went rent at number 1100,
Starting point is 04:27:35 from Eureka Street at Lansing, Michigan. Once installed, he adopted a cat that was, I was going to become his best friend Mote and, according to some blogs more than a cat for, she was a child and always said, that man would like to be with her. I had to accept that cat was his. Number one priority at the beginning of 2008. When Christ was 34 he met A, type seven years older than her called, Bradley Cornua and quickly fell in love. From him this man whom everyone called, Brad had completely crazy Krista.
Starting point is 04:28:05 For his bones he treated her very well, bought flowers but the family, of the girl did not accept it they saw that the subject was not clean wheat hit something that has a dark hour and also they were convinced that among them they did not fit christa had studies superiors was responsible had ambitions dreams but bratt only had basic studies this sounds very very classist bad but according to the family keista bratt had no ambitions no i had aspirations i didn't want to do anything with his life he has a work day complete but apart from that it does not have interest for nothing to work for going to house to return to work there was nothing more there and Christ on the contrary had great dreams botanical study horticulture wanted to continue forming
Starting point is 04:28:49 tenna a greenhouse however nobody he was able to get brat out of his head and every d'e that passed were more and more united soon after the chista de chista rose to the rent end brad asked him to live together he had a work of more hours and earned more money with which with two salaries the thing would go. Much better so the girl ended. Accepting the boy makes his bags, mute with her and the first weeks. Everything was luxurious perfect coexistence. Passion unleashed but with the passage of. Days things were twisting. Krista began to see that Brat was not, clean wheat and that his family had. Reason knew that Brat was hiding him, something but I didn't know what it was and then, discovered that someone used their phone,
Starting point is 04:29:31 to pay $500 in Porlo Somberry. It could only be Brat so he did, though. suitcases and put it with legs in the street. I didn't want excuses. I didn't want arguments. I wanted this man out of his. Life on November 11th, 2008 had passed. A week since Krista broke with, Braddon felt stronger than ever. He was alone with his cat hat. Part time work friends. I felt full of life but they're just just. Since they broke the brat every day, I was calling it was sending her. Flower and Christ messages told, everyone who was already fed up was not going to. Going back to him didn't want to know anything and I was convinced that it deserved something. Better on the 11th he got up early. He picked up the house to the cat gave him, eat and then took the bus and left.
Starting point is 04:30:16 Classes took notes spoke with the classmates with teachers and then, he took the bus and returned home once. At home he decided to study for a while. The books the notebooks left them in the dining room in your room in the kitchen and the five recalled that he had not eaten four, who opened the fridge took food and the heated the stoves but at 5.30. He received a small interruption and is that his friend Rick's Digglebauer called the Puerta spoke a while commented on the play what was happening gossip end. Then they said goodbye at 6.30 Christa. I had to go to Hunter's greenhouse. Park this greenhouse was alone, half a mile of his house but the minutes. They passed and the girl did not appear was a
Starting point is 04:30:55 plant's lover and never da. A single practice jumped could be missing. A class to a talk at a conference. But a practice was unthinkable so, some people decided to call it. But his phone seemed off a time later at 7.30, though, Christa's father called her on the phone. She has a surprise for her and is that. Very brief we're going to release the movie. Madagascar 2 and Krista was very fan. Stuffed posters and his father wanted. Invite her to the cinema go to the premiere together. Eat popcorn but the phone. Krista is off for four days. He tried to contact her. Messages called her and at some point, though. This man was full of voice mailbox. He lived and worked in Sinclair to all. almost two, hours by car from the city of Lansing, so go and return if not really. Nothing had happened does not have any sense with which he decided to contact, with two friends from her daughter Murray Stewart. Jones and Julie Jordan these girls were, practically its neighbors, and they immediately called the bell, they hit the door looked at the windows but there was no Krista. Trace grabbed the phone and called, to his home-aid and this man did not
Starting point is 04:32:00 know either. Nothing met them opened the door and the three together discovered that the apartment was frozen in, time lights on books in the dining room in the room in the kitchen but of Krista L. Z there was neither a trace nor a, note N-I a message was as if the girl would have come out to return, immediately but that return never. Produced seemed that someone who was, studying had gone a moment, thinking about quickly returning Julie Jordan, Krista friend immediately put, a complaint at the closest police station, and the police got to work. They registered the house from Cabo to a tail butt. The door found nothing suspicious. The entrance had not been forced, the, windows were not broken and there was no
Starting point is 04:32:40 struggle signs anywhere or, signs of struggle or blood or evidence. A theft and another very interesting thing is, that the Krista car is parked, just at the door that does not have, no meaning and therefore, the first Krista hypothesis was, studying and more or less at five remembered, who had not eaten took the food, though. He did and before in cart tooth his, friend Rick knocked on the door. He from 5.30 to 6 later, they fired and the girl came back, at home and just when someone did, more contacted her a friend A, family and acquaintance, and she opened the door and left with this person to, take a small walk that is, he extended eternally Christa plan to return. Home had to pick up finish, study eating practices
Starting point is 04:33:24 but, something happened that prevented the girl from. I went home with this hypothesis in, Mind the police begin. Interrogations talk to parents with, friends with neighbors and four, supposed with his ex-partner but, unfortunately at least at first not, find, nothing when they ask Brad Corny his, Elia disappearance of Krista is safe, that since they broke up nothing more, of her who did not see that they did not speak, that did not exchange messages and the, police discard it quickly but the, the girl's father tells a story, completely different that it was, harassing that he called her sent her. messages that went to his house that I asked family friends and what was it very heavy and very insistent so that Krista came back with him the father of the girl asks agents to look for phone call record Krista that look at the registration and check if I did the truth and indeed the last is right person with whom Krista spoke for telephone was Brad Kornua and did it minutes after saying goodbye to your friend Rick spoke with Brad for some minutes and then hum the call with this information the police call
Starting point is 04:34:28 for another interrogation and once in, police station does not know what to say said that the call did not have the slightest importance and that for that reason, though, deleted from his mind that they said four, nonsense that we're not going to return that everything. It was fine and then hung up without further ado. When asked if he saw him that day, Brad replied that not supposedly the subject gives a solid load but when, police investigate a little more. His story has Fissures the night of 11. November Brat was supposedly in X place but according to the records, police this was not entirely true, since a patrol found his car, standing with emergency lights in the, us 127 highway guns south of, launched the patrol has behind him, agents go to the window,
Starting point is 04:35:13 of the driver and ask if he needs, helps what the subject responds that no, that a crane is already coming, worry that nothing serious is happening, and ask the agents to move forward. This story could be a simple anecdote but one of the agents of police pointed the registration and the point exact in which they found that data vehicle that will later be important the months pass and someone decides to investigate the exact point in the that brad's car was found new of that point was located next to a completely desert field and four incredible that may seem there they found christa belongings elsie your card identification your credit card and your completely shattered mobile until here we have two points that smell very bad to start Brad says he didn't know no glass of did not talk to her that she did not send her messages but phone registration the girl says the opposite there he was harassing he sent him messages and the day of her disappearance spoke with her
Starting point is 04:36:10 made Brad was the last person who spoke with Krista and then we have to instead in which he stopped his car for an alleged breakdown months later they found things about the girl throughout from the years the case passed to different in and in true moment to one of them came up with, and asked the exact location of. Kista and Brad phones the day. The girl disappeared and turned out that the subject once again the day had lied. Of the disappearance was supposedly, in another city I had work had, commitments but it really was, near the brat girl was in Lansing, with which he could perfectly, kidnap and kill her hear the police. I was sure they had the case end, therefore they created the following hypothesis.
Starting point is 04:36:51 Christa, I could assume it called her. Messages harassed friends to, relatives and on November 11th he called her, and he was with her Krista didn't want to come back, so left the house upside down, thinking that in five minutes I would return there, left the light on the cats the cat, the food and then went out and, he went for a walk with Brad Kornua, they were going to be five minutes ten maximum and, then Krista would return home but, unfortunately something went very bad and it is, that Brat see that they were not going to return. He angered and lost control in some moment he killed Krista and then decide of the body and went to the road US-17 and through in the middle of the field the identification and phone card of Krista but what I did not count is
Starting point is 04:37:35 one that the police would find it there what would the patrol stop they would ask what happened and with what then they would point their registration unfortunately there is a big problem in the case and is that without body there is no crime in 2015 the TR program Crime Daily decided to dedicate a little documentary to this case and it was directly to the mother's house of Brat Dona Olson once there they made a pair of questions to women in her. Although he was quite collaborative, he did not risk saying anything compromising. About this story at some point the interviewer asked directly if he believed that Brat had something to do with. This case and Dona responded, I sincerely do not know I hope for God. No, but I don't really know in. Half of the
Starting point is 04:38:20 interview a pure brat and his new wife and the atmosphere becomes very tense brad is very defensive and when asked about christa releases what next why don't you investigate your moral stupid do not want the truth they make a good pair of shoes she adds to crack drug addict and alcoholic killed eight babies these words outraged a lot of loved ones from chista since for them it was all a lie was an organized responsible girl had studies was working time i studied had aspirations. Dreams took care of his cat was good, good neighbor and say all this. She makes no chista sense and, Brad left very little time and lived, together during three months insinuating that. Porto eight times that it was alcoholic, drug addict and all that does not have any,
Starting point is 04:39:05 meaning and the reason for the rupture was not, for her but by Brat because this, subjected things and because also, I had something very dark Kisan didn't trust. Of him and according to his loved ones he was a completely clean girl in. Words of this man looked, deep resentment towards Christa Lee's, and everything seemed to be confirmed with the next data and that is that the interviewer asked directly, what did the police think, that he had something to do with the, Christ disappearance to what Brad? The following responded the people believe what, that, once the years pass and arrives
Starting point is 04:39:39 2020, moments when Brad Corny appears, in all media because it has finally been accused of the murder of Crow Lowes. TR crime daily years ago made public that this man had a history. Very serious background but until the last year many people do not have. No idea of that since the media does not. They covered their official crimes. They date back to when this man had. 18 years at that age decided to get out of.
Starting point is 04:40:04 Fiesta get drunk and end the night. Sinking through the window of a apartment located in Mason for the napped tip to a woman who lived, alone for that crime the year. was condemned to comply between 10 and 15 years in prison was released in the year 2000 but as soon as he stepped on the street the police record say that or sexually to a minor who was a relative his and that because of this he returned to prison eight more years was put to freedom 2007 and supposedly during the following months did not commit any crime more and at the beginning of 2008 began to get out with crystal those during your relationship the disappearance of the girl and the
Starting point is 04:40:45 Subsequent years supposedly, history is clean did not get into. Pellies did not attack anyone killed. No one but in 2017 he was accused again of a disgusting crime and that is that the party decided a girl of, 15 years sent him by the mobile photos of, its intimate parts even a Biasel, starring himself some. Pages say that apart from all this, offered money in exchange for having relationships with him and for all this, obviously he was arrested and returned to, prison that when he does again, Very controversial statements and it is that half of the trial released the following.
Starting point is 04:41:20 These photos that in fact do not exist, they used to incriminate me before the eyes. Of the jury Mr. Bill Crino and his, detectives are the ones trying processes, arm for homicide and that's what it is about. All this of an alleged homicide, while in prison complying, condemn in December 2020 justice, formally accused him of the murder of, Cal, we don't know if there are more tests. Witness evidence we know nothing about. That but we know that in 2021 it is going to carry out the trial against this. Unfortunately the problem is that we still do not have the body of the victim and without body is very complicated.
Starting point is 04:41:56 Condemned so now is your turn. What do you think of the case and you think that finally? Let's go the truth. Nobody gets it, nobody. I, Sebastian 40M, found out last year after she died that my wife Flora had been cheating on me for our entire relationship. She wasn't just having an affair with one other guy, she wasn't cheating because of all the problems in our marriage, there weren't any. She was cheating because she could. She was a cake eater. She roped me in, got me to fall for her. I was the good dad, the reliable
Starting point is 04:42:27 safe, supportive guy she could come home to every day. Over the years she worked me over to treating her like a queen. For that I got to find out that she used every opportunity possible to fuck other guys. They got all the crazy stuff, stuff she never wanted to do with me. We had an active sex life, but it was all love-making. Even if I asked, she always said she preferred to feel, close to me, how someone can do all that she did, I will never understand. She is the most awful, disgusting, deceitful person I have ever met. I feel no remorse about showing the world exactly who she was. My only wish is that she was still alive to face it. Although I probably wouldn't even know still if she hadn't died.
Starting point is 04:43:08 That's what hurts, too. I don't get to confront her. I don't get to make her face her lies. Yes, I did blow up the lives of a lot of the people. Notably my ex-best friend Louis. But it just feels so unfinished. She has ruined so many lives. Three people were fired from the school.
Starting point is 04:43:28 I don't even know how many divorces and separations are happening. I know two, friends of mine, are now in divorce proceedings. Just the ultimate selfish bitch. What she has done to me, Hannah, and her kids, though, is by far the worst. I got all the DNA tests back shortly after my last posting. Only Hannah is my child. Rachel and Julia have the same father, Lewis. I was also able to find the evidence that he did know this.
Starting point is 04:43:56 It kind of explains why he always seemed so much more supportive and interested in them than Wyatt or Hannah. Thanks to ancestry testing kits, we also figured out that Wyatt is the son of a assistant principal that worked at our school for two years before moving on to a different district. I made sure to post all the messages between him and Flora, along with the test results to his Facebook, and his wife's Facebook. This is what has everyone up my ass at the moment. I honestly don't know what they all want from me. Rachel, Wyatt, and Julia are not my kids, they are just these constant reminders that my dead wife was a deranged sociopath. I have moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico with Hannah. I did not bring the other three with me,
Starting point is 04:44:36 I care about their well-being, and hold them at no fault, but I do not love them anymore. They should have been raised by their own fathers. My parents have decided to take them in. Because of this I have gone no contact with my family. I only deal with them in regards to the legal matters at hand. I had immediately cut off my dead wife's side of the family the first time they brought up the concept of forgiveness. I will never forgive. Currently I am in the legal process of disowning Flores' three children.
Starting point is 04:45:04 My parents did accept guardianship of them immediately, and I have been paying child support. However, since I have clear evidence of who the biological fathers are I have filed to end my child support of the three children. My lawyer thinks I have a very good chance of pulling this off. I am also searching for legal grounds in which to file suit against these two men in an effort to recoup some of the financial burden I have been under for the last 14 years. Since moving to Santa Fe, I have changed careers. I am now working as a loan officer, which not surprisingly pays quite a bit better than being a teacher. I have a small one-bedroom apartment and the child support wipes out a lot of my funds every month. I am pushing to get my case resolved quickly so that I can begin to rebuild my life.
Starting point is 04:45:47 Hannah has taken the transition hard. She is only eight years old and doesn't fully understand why we moved or why she can't see Flora's children. To her they are her brother and sisters, but I have been trying to explain to her that they are not, and never were. They were simply by products of her mother's lies. We are adjusting. I would like to put her into therapy, but that won't be possible until I clear up these legal matters. I am only 40 years old now. I can still find someone to grow old with, I can still have more children of my own.
Starting point is 04:46:18 It may take some time, but I'm not giving up on my life. I have a lot of good times ahead of me. My name is Sebastian, 60M, I have been with my one. wonderful wife, Olga 57F, for the last 19 years. Technically we are not married, I refuse to ever get married again, but we do refer to each other as husband and wife. We have two sons together, Kurt, 18M, and Lee, 15M. For the most part the last 20 years of my life have been pretty good.
Starting point is 04:46:46 I have a very committed and loving relationship with Olga. We met when I was at my lowest. My first wife had died suddenly, and in the aftermath of her passing I learned that she was a pathological cheater. She had cheated with many people in my life, and three of her children were fathered by other men. However, she led me to believe that they were my children. As it turned out, only our youngest child Hannah was my biological child. Hannah lived with me until she was 18 years old and moved out when she went to college. She had some troubles during her adolescent years, which was to be expected after the damage
Starting point is 04:47:20 that her mother caused her. She rebounded though and we have had a pretty solid relationship. Most of the friction we did have centered around the feelings she had for her half-siblings, and grandparents. It took a long time to get her to understand. The last 10 to 12 years or so though have been good, and largely devoid of any mention of the past. When I met Olga, it was like everything turned around. I won a number of legal battles that allowed me to move on from my past. These two events have been the catalyst that has allowed me to live to the fullest for the last 20 years.
Starting point is 04:47:51 My family and I have visited every continent, except Antarctica. We love to travel and experience the world. My sons and I have a bond that I have always cherished. It began before they were even born. My wife, knowing the trauma of my past marriage, had them both paternity tested in utero just to ease my mind. There is no chance they are someone else's. Hannah has been a good big sister to them. This leads me to my biggest issue in many years.
Starting point is 04:48:18 Hannah and I have built a good relationship, after the rough patch I mentioned above. When she graduated high school, she went to New Mexico Saint University in Los Cruces. She did very well and graduated after four years. She found a job there and has lived in Los Cruces since then. She still came home during breaks in college and for the whole summer. Since graduating, I get to see her about four times a year. I make one trip down a year and she comes home on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Memorial weekend. I'm saying all this to show that we do have a great relationship, and were able to overcome
Starting point is 04:48:53 all the chaos caused by her mother. The issue is, she apparently reconnected with her half-siblings about four years ago. I had no idea. I also can't understand how she can do this, knowing how much distress this would cause me. As it turns out she also reconnected with my father. He is the only grandparent she has that is still alive. From what I understand he is still doing fairly well for a man of 83 years. I could maybe get past this.
Starting point is 04:49:21 Liva, don't ask, don't tell, situation between her and them. Yet, the other half of this is unacceptable. Two and half years ago Hannah met her fiancé Tony. They don't work together, but the places they work at are next to each other. I like Tony a lot, he treats Hannah well and is an upstanding young man. Their wedding is set for one month from now. I have minimally contributed to her wedding. Tony's family comes from some wealth, not world-changing, but they are doing very
Starting point is 04:49:48 well. With that being the case, and him being the one that really wants a large wedding, his family is huge, he has six siblings, and something like 25 first cousins, they are largely footing the bill. As the father of the bride, I am obviously on task to walk her down the aisle, give a speech, and have a daddy-slash-daughter dance. Hannah, however, just informed me that she has invited Rachel, Wyatt, Julia, and my father to the wedding. I am 100% against this and have made this known to her. I do not want any contact with these people. That especially goes for my father who chose my cheating whore ex-wife's children over me. The other three I hold no ill will towards, it was their mother's doing, but at the same time I have no desire to see them. It's just
Starting point is 04:50:32 too painful. I think what is also causing me some level of uneasiness is that my son seemed to think I should put the past behind me. I will never forgive, I will never forget. They think I should just be there for Hannah on this one day. My wife is largely supportive of me and has told me that I do not have to attend if I do not wish to. That I have made my feelings clear to Hannah, and that it is now in her hands to make a decision. She will not attend if I choose not to. This is dredging up all sorts of negative emotions I haven't had to deal with in a long time. I hate the idea of missing my daughter's wedding, but I cannot in good conscience be around those associated with the worst period of my life. I just think I need help in figuring out how
Starting point is 04:51:13 best to get Hannah to see the error in this. How do I get her to understand once again? Even after being dead for 20 years, that fucking cunt finds a way to fuck my life. About two weeks ago now my daughter Hannah had her wedding. In the weeks leading up I made it abundantly clear that I was not comfortable having her half-siblings or my father attend. It all came to a head with a big argument between Hannah and I ten days before the wedding. She called me selfish and weak. I pushed back and she just opened this floodgate. telling me how awful I was for cutting her off from her entire life. That she was eight years old and had just lost her mother when her father suddenly went
Starting point is 04:51:50 on a personal mission to destroy every positive memory anyone had of her. That she justified all my actions, and tried to understand my point of view, but deep down always resented me for taking her away from her entire family, her home, everything. I couldn't believe this onslaught, after everything I had done to get her to understand. Her mother was a despicable human, anyone who would side with her was equally as disgusting. The only thing that saved Hannah was that she was also half me. Apparently that wasn't enough and now she was choosing others over me as well. I told her I wouldn't be attending her wedding at all. Hannah hung up the phone at that point and we haven't spoken since.
Starting point is 04:52:27 As painful as that was, the greater betrayal came at the hands of my own sons. They still attended the wedding. My wife and I stayed behind, but they said they were going to support their sister. They even took my place. Kurt walked Hannah down the aisle. Lee gave a speech. I know this because Kurt sent me the wedding video diary yesterday. I wasn't going to watch it, but Curiosity got the best of me. He only sent it to me to twist the knife.
Starting point is 04:52:55 I was so angry after they spurred me and when I told them they were cut off. I told Kurt he was to move out. I couldn't get rid of Lee but told him he was dead to me now. He had the next 2.5 years to prep because the the day he turned 18 he would be leaving two. That's when Olga, who had been supportive up until that moment intervened. She told me I wasn't kicking them out, and that I would be leaving before her son's wood. We got into a huge argument and I left the house. I had been staying in a rental unit I own for the past ten days. Today, I received a buyout offer on our
Starting point is 04:53:29 home. Olga is leaving me, she says she has been understanding of my pain for 20 years. That she always believed I was a good man who had something terrible done to me. She said she knows she was wrong, yes, what happened to me was terrible, but I am not a good man. That seeing it firsthand, how easily I can throw people away, has forever changed her opinion of me. Well, fuck her. They just don't get it. They will never get it. None of them. That fucking whore didn't just cheat. She humiliated me, she fucked my friends, my co-workers, she tricked me into raising her bastard children. There is nothing worse than that. Everything about her is vile, everything that came from her, everyone she tainted. I'll accept that buyout, I'll sell my two rentals. I'll start
Starting point is 04:54:16 over again. I'm moving on. I've been able to retire for a few years now and that's just what I will do, then I'm heading for somewhere far from all these traitors. I can't believe she is still doing this to me. She's dead, I destroyed her name, cut off everyone who defended her, dumped her ashes, moved far from our tainted home. And yet here I am, all alone, with everyone turning their backs on me. Flora, you sick bitch, I guess you got the last laugh after all. Part 1. My name is Sebastian, I am 39 years old. I have been with my wife, Flora, for 16 years.
Starting point is 04:54:51 16 absolutely magical years. We met right after college, both first-year teachers at Eagle High School. I was in the math department and she was in the English department, total clichés I know. A bunch of us early career teachers used to go out almost every Friday night. Those were good times I wouldn't mind reliving. Both floor, that's what I call her, and I made great friends with some of our coworkers, including a best friend for each of us. Lewis was the best man in our wedding, and Joanna was her maid of honor.
Starting point is 04:55:21 We rigged it so that she would get the bouquet and him to guard her at our wedding reception, but they never did date. It was natural between us from the start, there was some serious chemistry. She was so attractive. I was smitten from the word go. She told me she was two but I didn't know it. I've always been a bit oblivious. It took the entire first semester for me to finally get it together and ask her out.
Starting point is 04:55:44 Her response, you had one more week than I was asking you out in front of everyone, almost two years to the day after that we got married on a beach in Puerto Rico. It was a small wedding, just family and our best friends. We came back and had an amazing party with all of our teacher friends. seemed to move fast from there. Flora was pregnant just after our one-year anniversary. Then we had another two years later, and another two years after that, and then for good measure one more two years after that. We were pretty good at this planning thing. Our kids have turned out great, each so different yet the same. It's weird saying that but it's true. Rachel is our
Starting point is 04:56:21 oldest at 13, our only boy Wyatt is 11, Julia turns nine in two days, and Hannah is seven. They just all seem to excel at everything they do. Rachel and Wyatt are so athletic, Julia is creative, and Hannah is just the funniest sweetest little girl on the planet. Our family vacations, mostly camping trips, won't be the same anymore. Our 16 years together have been just the best time of my life. She was always so involved and extroverted. I became more of a homebody over time. She coached the cheer team forever. I still went out some with her, but she kept busy with school events, coaching, and the kids' activities. I swear I married Superwoman.
Starting point is 04:57:04 Though despite our differences, we never let that spark die. We had date nights, an active bedroom, and never went to bed or woke up without kisses. My favorite thing was holding her hand. I can't believe this is all over. That we will never be Harbour Party of Six again. That's kind of why I am writing all this. I wanted to have a good moment, recall a few past memories.
Starting point is 04:57:26 Try to remember that I was happy. Two days ago Flora died. Brain aneurysm. Just was on the treadmill at the gym when suddenly she went down. That was it, she was gone, taken from us in a flash. The kids are being stronger than they ever should have to. Kids are so resilient. I'm doing my best to keep it together in front of them.
Starting point is 04:57:48 Our parents are helping, but are grieving too. Everyone loved Flora. Lewis and Joanna have been over a lot checking on us. I just cannot believe this has happened. How do I go on? I know I have to for my children. I just can't picture my life without her. I do not exaggerate when I say this is the worst pain imaginable.
Starting point is 04:58:09 Hopefully it lessens with time. I'm crying myself to sleep each night because I try to keep the breakdowns and sadness to a minimum so as to not trigger my children. They really need me now and I have to be the strong one and support them. I just need to get through the funeral, then we can start rebuilding our life. Anyway, that's it, no need for advice. I just need to pour this out. Get it off my chest, tell someone how I'm feeling, even if it's just strangers on the other side of the internet.
Starting point is 04:58:37 Part 2, Sebastian 39M lost my wife, Flora, 39F, a few days ago, her funeral was yesterday and I did not attend. My family has been slamming me with calls ever since. I was going through my wife's things, looking for mementos, and getting on her phone to get pictures. This was two days before the funeral. When I got into her purse I found something I didn't expect. There was a second cell phone.
Starting point is 04:59:04 It was passport protected, but we had been together for 16 years, I could figure that out. This woman has been cheating on me since our first date. The most painful of it all is it appears her in Lewis, my best friend, have been having an affair for a number of years. I don't even know how long it has been going. I'm sure there is a lot I don't know at this point. She has had this phone for three and a half years. A lot of it was on Telegram, and some of those messages dated back to 2016.
Starting point is 04:59:32 I have screenshot, saved, downloaded, just dozens and dozens of messages, picks, videos, files, just everything. I can't believe what I saw. I am so betrayed, that's why I didn't attend the funeral. After I got into the phone, I couldn't handle much. I took my kids to my parents' house, and just told them I needed some alone time to think and process. They understood and were fine with that. I stayed up almost all night reading telegram messages. There wasn't just Lewis, she had active conversations with two other men as well,
Starting point is 05:00:04 and archived conversations with seven others. The thing is there could be any number of conversations that have been deleted over the years. When I no-showed getting ready for the funeral I started getting calls. I texted only my dad back and said, I am fine, I am not going to hurt myself, so you do not have to worry, but I am not coming today. The funeral came and went. I just couldn't do it. I could not stand there and say or hear how great of a woman she was.
Starting point is 05:00:31 She wasn't, she was a liar and cheater. When I know showed I started getting a lot of phone calls. My dad even stopped by my house. I left the door locked, and played like I wasn't home. He didn't try to come in or anything and eventually left. It was a few hours after that I got a text from Lewis, Hey Bud, I didn't see you at the funeral. Just checking on you, we can grab a beer and just chill if you need to let off some steam. I finally responded to a text, how about you go fuck yourself, you traitorous cunt.
Starting point is 05:01:01 Don't ever contact me again. He did not message me back and I assume he knows the cat is out of the bag. I just don't know how I'm going to overcome this. You think you know someone, you think they love you, you think you've built a life. Then you find it was all bullshit, and you can't even take your anger out on them. My name is Sebastian, I am 39 years old. I have been with my wife, Flora, for 16 years. 16 absolutely magical years.
Starting point is 05:01:29 We met right after college, both first-year teachers at Eagle High School. I was in the math department and she was in the English department, total clichés I know. A bunch of us early career teachers used to go out almost every Friday night. Those were good times I wouldn't mind reliving. Both floor, that's what I call her, and I made great friends with some of our coworkers, including a best friend for each of us. Lewis was the best man in our wedding, and Joanna was her maid of honor. We rigged it so that she would get the bouquet and him to guard her at our wedding reception, but they never did date.
Starting point is 05:02:01 It was natural between us from the start, there was some serious chemistry. She was so attractive. I was smitten from the word go. She told me she was two, but I didn't know it. I've always been a bit oblivious. It took the entire first semester for me to finally get it together and ask her out. Her response, you had one more week than I was asking you out in front of everyone, almost two years to the day after that we got married on a beach in Puerto Rico.
Starting point is 05:02:27 It was a small wedding, just family, and our best friends. We came back and had an amazing party with all of our teacher friends. Life seemed to move fast from there. Floor was pregnant just after our one-year anniversary. Then we had another two years later, and another two years after that, and then for good measure one more two years after that. We were pretty good at this planning thing. Our kids have turned out great, each so different yet the same.
Starting point is 05:02:52 It's weird saying that but it's true. Rachel is our oldest at 13, our only boy Wyatt is 11, Julia turns nine in two days, and Hannah is seven. They just all seem to excel at everything they do. Rachel and Wyatt are so athletic, Julia is creative, and Hannah is just the funniest sweetest little girl on the planet. Our family vacations, mostly camping trips, won't be the same anymore. Our 16 years together have been just the best time of my life. She was always so involved and extroverted.
Starting point is 05:03:25 I became more of a home buddy over time. She coached the cheer team forever. I still went out some with her, but she kept busy with school events, coaching, and the kids' activities. I swear I married Superwoman. Though despite our differences, we never let that spark die. We had date nights, an active bedroom, and never went to bed or woke up without kisses. My favorite thing was holding her hand. I can't believe this is all over.
Starting point is 05:03:51 that we will never be Harbour Party of Six again. That's kind of why I am writing all this. I wanted to have a good moment, recall a few past memories. Try to remember that I was happy. Two days ago Flora died. Brain aneurysm. Just was on the treadmill at the gym when suddenly she went down. That was it, she was gone, taken from us in a flash.
Starting point is 05:04:15 The kids are being stronger than they ever should have to. Kids are so resilient. I'm doing my best to keep it together in front of them. Our parents are helping, but are grieving too. Everyone loved Flora. Lewis and Joanna have been over a lot checking on us. I just cannot believe this has happened. How do I go on?
Starting point is 05:04:35 I know I have to for my children. I just can't picture my life without her. I do not exaggerate when I say this is the worst pain imaginable. Hopefully it lessens with time. I'm crying myself to sleep each night because I try to keep the breakdowns and sadness to a minimum so as to not trigger my children. They really need me now and I have to be the strong one and support them. I just need to get through the funeral, then we can start rebuilding our life. Anyway, that's it, no need for advice. I just need
Starting point is 05:05:05 to pour this out. Get it off my chest, tell someone how I'm feeling, even if it's just strangers on the other side of the internet. Part 2. Sebastian 39M lost my wife, Flora, 39F, a few days ago, her funeral was yesterday and I did not attend. My family has been slamming me with calls ever since. I was going through my wife's things, looking for mementos, and getting on her phone to get pictures. This was two days before the funeral. When I got into her purse I found something I didn't expect.
Starting point is 05:05:37 There was a second cell phone. It was passcode protected, but we had been together for 16 years, I could figure that out. This woman has been cheating on me since our first date. The most painful of it all is it appears her in Lewis, my best friend, have been having an affair for a number of years. I don't even know how long it has been going. I'm sure there is a lot I don't know at this point. She has had this phone for three and a half years. A lot of it was on telegram, and some of those messages dated back to 2016.
Starting point is 05:06:07 I have screenshot, saved, downloaded, just dozens and dozens of messages, picks, videos, files, just everything. I can't believe what I saw. I am so betrayed, that's why I didn't attend the funeral. After I got into the phone, I couldn't handle much. I took my kids to my parents' house, and just told them I needed some alone time to think and process. They understood and were fine with that. I stayed up almost all night reading telegram messages. There wasn't just Lewis, she had active conversations with two other men as well,
Starting point is 05:06:39 and archived conversations with seven others. The thing is there could be any number of conversations that have been deleted over the years. When I no-showed getting ready for the funeral I started getting calls. I texted only my dad back and said, I am fine, I am not going to hurt myself, so you do not have to worry, but I am not coming today. The funeral came and went. I just couldn't do it. I could not stand there and say or hear how great of a woman she was. She wasn't, she was a liar and cheater.
Starting point is 05:07:08 When I no-showed I started getting a lot of phone calls. My dad even stopped by my house. I left the door locked, and played like I was a little. home. He didn't try to come in or anything and eventually left. It was a few hours after that I got a text from Lewis, hey bud, I didn't see you at the funeral. Just checking on you, we can grab a beer and just chill if you need to let off some steam. I finally responded to a text, how about you go fuck yourself, you traitorous cunt. Don't ever contact me again. He did not message me back and I assume he knows the cat is out of the bag. I just don't know how I'm going to
Starting point is 05:07:44 overcome this. You think you know someone, you think they love you, you think you've built a life. Then you find it was all bullshit, and you can't even take your anger out on them. Part 3. I decided to go full nuclear. Fuck her, fuck her reputation, fuck Lewis, fuck Joanna, fuck everybody. They all treated me like I was a joke. All these years lying to my face, betraying me in every way. At the time of my last posting I had only gone through the telegram messages. That second phone of hers had email accounts dating back to before we were dating. It had texts between her and Joanna. It had Reddit accounts I didn't know about. This bitch has been facilitating her cheating since day one. I still remember the time Flora said she was going
Starting point is 05:08:28 to lunch with Joanna only for Joanna to show up at the house to drop something off. Sneaky bitch can think on her feet because she totally sold me on her lies. Faking that she forgot they were meeting and needed to hustle over to the cafe. How could I be so fucking naive? I figured out through all this that, Lewis and Flora began having sex days before I asked her out, and never stopped. They have been having an affair for 16 years, right under my nose. He has dated others, gotten married, and divorced in that time. We've hung out countless times. We're each other's best man. She has been with at least a dozen other men during that span, I'm sure more than that. every fucking teaching conference she ever went to, it looks like she hooked up with someone
Starting point is 05:09:11 or brought someone with her. The videos are literally disgusting. She has picks, vids, sexting saved all over this device. She had a video, of some fucking asshole, finishing all over her engagement ring while she's wearing it. It's dated three days after I proposed. The most painful part, there are messages between her and Lewis, that imply he may be the father of Rachel. I took my kids to get DNA tests finally last week. I wasn't going to, but the worry got to me. I have to know. I don't know what I will do if they are just side effects of her infidelity.
Starting point is 05:09:47 They aren't happy with me anyway, neither is my family. They don't think I should have gone nuclear. What good does it do now, they said. Fuck that. Everyone should know what kind of woman she really was. I'm not protecting her image, listening to people say how wonderful of a person she was. She wasn't, she was just a conniving whore. I posted everywhere. I put together hundreds of texts, message, picks, censored, voice recording, everything I could into one big file.
Starting point is 05:10:17 Then I posted it on all of socials, and all of Flores. I tagged everyone I could. Lewis and Joanna for sure, even highlighted parts for everyone. A few other co-workers and friends who fucked her as well. Didn't want anyone to feel left out. Family, friends, I I even tagged the school page. That has me on, administrative leave, for the time being. It also appears there's quite an investigation going on now. Firings are on the horizon as it looks like school grounds may have been used at times. I don't give a fuck what happens to that place.
Starting point is 05:10:51 I'm leaving. I already made up my mind. I'm not staying in Eagle. I'm going to go far, far from here. At least I got the bitch's life insurance money. Once I get the DNA results back, I'm out. There is a darkness blacker than anything seen by man. So violent, so cruel, so pernicious.
Starting point is 05:11:12 Hiding beyond forsaken halls, in the depths of empty long-forgotten rooms, it rests its awful form. Occasionally, unleashing its deadly plagues upon this world in a torturous storm. One day, this darkness decided to latch itself onto me. For no apparent reason, I am just an average Joe. I have a steady job with a decent income, a warm home, and a loving wife. My life is as mundane as it gets. Why this evil decided to target me evades my mind. Perhaps it is a result of my closeness and fondness of that wretched husk of a town.
Starting point is 05:11:49 For years I have been traveling to and exploring the decrepit skeleton of what remains of this forgotten hellhole ignored by God and spat upon by his right-hand man, the cruel Archangel Sammel. The silence of this ghastly, forgotten remnant of human civilization helped me calm my turbulent mind. A ghost town named Rathsburg. Whenever the vortex of thought had gotten too much to handle, I would take a short trip to this personal treasure island of mine. A place of complete solitude in the middle of the barren nothingness. My very own Mikligard. The great city I always wished to end up in to escape the noise, to escape the pain, to escape everything. For the longest time I could do just that, but then one day, I found out the
Starting point is 05:12:35 secret to its silence. The reason this old town had been abandoned or rather emptied of its inhabitants. Something devoured them. A thing not of this world it would seem. A gelatinous shining, calling disgusting mass of lights and plasma that sought to hypnotize its prey and then devour it. Integrating it into itself in an unholy union of soullessness and never-ending gluttony. I've barely managed to escape the vile thing. Something inside my anxious mind managed to break free from its spell and allow me to run for my life. Countless others weren't seemingly as lucky. I haven't set foot near Rathsburg in a while now, not wanting to be devoured by that abominable star child.
Starting point is 05:13:19 Clearly, I assume it's an alien life form. Not going to my Micklegard meant having to deal with the endless array of voices screaming and shouting inside my skull. Proverbial, of course, I don't hear actual voices. It's just flowery language. As part of a way to deal with what was once a maddeningly restless mind, I took up writing. Poetry and short prose of whatever comes to mind. I never did anything with those. I just wrote them to get the thoughts out of my system.
Starting point is 05:13:51 Alina, though, would always manage to find diamonds in my verbal piles of rust and put them into various drawings and pictures, or even shirts she sells. My wife is a truly brilliant artist. I haven't written in a while, simply because my mind is no longer twisting and turning like two suns locked in a fatal gravitational dance. Now it's focused on a different kind of anxiety. A constant state of fearing for your life after experiencing prolonged torture. I'm still constantly stressed and restless, but for an entirely different reason.
Starting point is 05:14:24 I guess I should start from the beginning. About a year ago, I finally broke in at the urging of Alina, who knows me better than anyone else, drove again to Rathsburg. I just needed that fix of the ghastly calm of this dead paradise of mine. Dreading another encounter with the cat devouring monstrosity, I opted to drive around the town first. Looking around the caves of the town, making sure there was nothing there. This time around, I went during the daytime.
Starting point is 05:14:54 That's the first time I noticed something really strange about the town. It's like it was on another plane of existence, separate from the rest of its environment. Birds flew around the town only up to a certain point. I must have been looking for some 40-odd minutes at birds fly up to a certain point in the sky before turning back, almost instinctively. They never flew above the town itself, never. I knew nothing lived in Rathsburg. That much wasn't new to me.
Starting point is 05:15:24 It took me a while to notice that there was almost a sort of barrier around the skeletal remains of what must have been a living center before. I locked my gaze onto the, Welcome to Rathsburg, sign before driving around the ten pathetic houses of the town, and then around the church. I encircled the house of prayer a few times. The memories of my previous visit here replayed themselves in my mind. The cross at the top of the roof seems to have been bent out of shape a little. Maybe someone dared venture into this gateway to hell while I wasn't brave enough. The ghastly silence of the place finally broke through to me. It felt like a chilly breeze softly caressing my entire being, making its way through my skin, down my musculature, and further down into my guts.
Starting point is 05:16:10 Gently wrapping itself around my heart and lungs, enabling me to breathe freely for the first time in a long time. I became entranced by the beautiful calm and lost track of time. Simply sitting there and breathing deep breaths, a thick fog of majestic nothingness blanketed my mind. I simply sat there and thought of nothing. Just like that, purely nothing. Until sunset finally came and I found myself sitting in my car under the strangely colored sky of Rathsburg. That's when I headed home. When I got home and saw Alina, it's like I fell in love with her for the first time all over again.
Starting point is 05:16:48 Not that our relationship has had any issues, it's just that clearing the system of all the stress must have done something to me. The silence must have fixed something inside this body of mine. I felt like an entirely new man. That evening was beautiful, one of my best. The night that followed was terrible, however. A reoccurring nightmare tormented me again and again. I found myself walking in a purely white endless hall, accompanied by the sounds of a
Starting point is 05:17:18 crying woman. I was following the noise. The longer I walked, the louder the crying got. After a while, I came across a kneeling woman. She must have been not much younger than me. I approached her as her wallowing became nearly unbearable, drowning out everything else to the point of nearly blinding me with the sound of her crying. Touching her black dress, the crying stopped abruptly, she turned to me, revealing herself to be stained with blood. Her Eyes were lifeless and cold like there was no soul behind those orbs of flesh. Two black holes sat in her sockets. They weren't entirely black or missing.
Starting point is 05:17:59 They were normal brown eyes, but they seemed so devoid of emotion, of light, of humanity. It felt wrong. It felt even worse when her scowl turned into a smile. She started laughing like a maniac and then something pushed through her face. Her eyes just pocked and their contents coated my face. I felt myself waking up, but the feeling of something sticky on my face definitely felt real. I ran my hand across my face, but it was dry. There was nothing there.
Starting point is 05:18:31 Uncharacteristically for myself, I just rolled over and fell back asleep. Once out, I once again found myself in the same dream. Same crying, same white hall, same blinding noise, same woman. The abrupt end of crying turned to laughter, burst. Wake up, something over my face. Nothing over my face. Fall asleep again, repeat. Each time, the dream lasted a little longer, providing a nauseating detail in terms of what
Starting point is 05:19:03 happened to the woman. By the time I had a dream before actually waking up, I could see what was the fate of this woman in all of its disgusting detail. Yes, I was having a dream within a dream within a dream within a dream within a dream within a dream of a dream in a dream. She laughed, something burst through her, that something was a blood-stained tree. Tree branches simply tore through her body slowly, tearing her apart from the inside with a very sickening sound of tearing flesh and cracking bones. She wouldn't die, though. Her laughter persisted as the fear ate away at my body. It wouldn't
Starting point is 05:19:39 let me wake until I could see the bloody branches of the tree taking over the entire space. On each branch hung a faceless person impaled. They all screamed and laughed in sync, at a maddening volume. Their blood spilled all over me as they flailed carelessly against the branches that shot themselves through their bodies. It all felt so real, I could feel the warmth of the blood sliding down my skin. Throughout the entire process, I felt myself getting physically sick and fearful, to the point where my heartbeat became even louder than the demonic noises of the tree.
Starting point is 05:20:13 I felt like my body was about to explode, and then I woke up. For a moment or two, I could barely see. Everything spun and a terrible feeling bounced against the walls of my skull. I felt like someone was watching me. Alina was still fast asleep, it was early in the morning, and I felt like absolute shit. Thankfully, the nightmare was over and didn't reoccur to me again. Everything was all right for a while until a few days later when I came home. Alina recited a poem to me, one she found on my work desk.
Starting point is 05:20:48 Once more reminded of the mind-numbing monotony, a monumental expression of nothingness in the face of cold reality, promises of substance and meaning wrapped inside a luminescent, cacophony containing the unadulterated void, a content for the progression of the ravenous entropy, slowly creeping inside, the realization of absolute banality, false promises of meaning that do not exist are masquerid, as the perfection of sincerely brutal minimality, Hang a self to the self, an honest form of sacrifice, hang a self for the sake of self, an elated offering, hang the self of myself, on the branches of the tree, of forbidden knowledge, to be reshaped, into obscurity and newly arise, I'm longing for the feeling when emotions die, when the torment of being can only be molded into an agonized scream, following the loss of everything I once held dearest, accepting that existence is merely a hollow dream, defiance in order to hold on to the self-perpetuating lie. of luminescence existing inside the dying cosmos, amounts to nothing when faced with the senseless, apathy of the absurd, my skin almost began crawling as she recited that. As she finished, she kissed me and told me it was brilliant. I looked at her like I had seen a ghost. I hadn't written that, is all I could muster. Strange.
Starting point is 05:22:07 It's definitely your handwriting, see, she said while showing me the note. It was indeed my handwriting. The whole situation got a lot stranger. Thought started swirling all over again. I. I don't know, maybe I did and forgot about it. No idea, hon, I said, trying to make sense of the mysterious piece of paper that randomly appeared on my desk.
Starting point is 05:22:32 I genuinely had no recollection of writing that one, nor does my wife write poetry. Not that I know of. Oh well, it's still lovely. Your memory issue is a bit concerning, but your head is all over the place, anyway. She almost sang to me. Ah, yeah, I'm fine, I said, I lied. At the time I didn't know I was lying, but that's how the madness stars usually. Something goes wrong, a tiny bit of the routine puzzle gets misplaced in the constant worrying about nothing returns.
Starting point is 05:23:06 It's a vicious cycle and nothing seems to make it go away. Nothing but the death-like silence of that one place, my mecca. That's how it began that time, with the strange poem that had written itself. My wife found it, read it to me, and I was genuinely curious at first where did it come from. Curiosity soon became compulsive thought, gaining more and more traction inside my mind until it became a big fish in a small pond. A mental megalodon eating away at my psychic mazes. It's not like I had any answers to the question at hand. I had no fucking clue where the poem had come from.
Starting point is 05:23:45 Now I do. I wrote it. Probably in my sleep at the behest of her. Anyhow, the worrying left me exhausted, restless, and vulnerable to more nocturnal terrors. The days following my wife reciting me the poem, I couldn't sleep. My inability to make my brain shut up and my experience of very vivid, very low. life-like snuff on repeat in my dreams were tearing me apart. My brain placed itself between a rock and a hard place. One night, I had a dream. I was inside a tiny black room with a single
Starting point is 05:24:20 yellow lamp hanging from the ceiling. Before me, I saw four people tied up to crosses. In front of them stood a hooded figure with some sort of knife in hand. I knew what was coming, but the sense of danger was all too real. Yet again, I could feel my body tense up, and my breathing grew shallow and quick. I knew I was safe, but it's like the dreams forced themselves upon me. Forcing me to watch an execution in public, unable to avert my gaze under the threat of a similar fate. The hooded figure made a crude cut in the abdomen of one figure who thrashed and struggled against their binds, screaming like a wild animal about to be slaughtered. The screams bounced right off my eardrums. I tried looking away, but my gaze reshifted itself onto the
Starting point is 05:25:07 horrendous act before me. The hooded figure then kneeled and bit at the wound of its poor victim. The bite forced the bound person to shriek and bellow in tones I didn't know was possible for a human. It then proceeded to suck out a reddish tub-like orb in straight out of the poor soul's body. The action caused a disgusting slurping sound that forced my stomach to twist and turn in knots. The four people were screaming like madmen at this point. The noise, it felt so unbearably real and close I just wanted this nightmare to end. It only got worse from there on. The hooded figure stood up, the tub-like organ, these intestines still stick in its mouth, and repeated the exact same actions on the other three. Making violent and crude cuts in their
Starting point is 05:25:54 abdomens before sucking out a portion of their intestines while keeping a hold of the digestive systems of its previous victims between its jaws. That god-awful wet slurping sound drilled itself into my brain. I wanted to scream. I wanted to run, and I wanted this hell to burn out and fade away from my sight. The hooded figure turned to me and my heart sank, my stomach rolled around itself like a roller coaster and I felt knives pierce my skin. It was that same woman from my tree dream. Same face, four different intestines sticking out of her mouth like a bloody spider web. That's when I woke up and threw up right by my bed.
Starting point is 05:26:33 I cleaned that quickly before my wife could wake up. God, that awful dream. It felt so real. The fact that this was the same fucking woman. This, of course, sent me spiraling down further. The stress persisted, the restlessness grew fiercer, and the nightmares kept reoccurring. I don't want to go into detail about the things that have plagued my mind. It's too much to even reminisce about.
Starting point is 05:27:02 At one point, I stopped trying to sleep. I just let my exhaustion do its thing. If I passed out, then I passed out. Obviously, Alina wasn't too happy about my condition or my lack of will to even talk about it. Eventually, she broke me out of my silence, and I told her about the crazy nightmares. I told her about the bitch reappearing in my dreams and tormenting me to the best of her ability. Alina surmised it must have been a coincidental first dream where my mind made up some figure and later my anxiety made her a reoccurring theme.
Starting point is 05:27:36 I didn't have any better explanation for the mental haunting I was going through, thus I went with it. We both knew there was no actual way out for me from this stress-ridden purgatory. It was only a matter of time until I'd fixated on something else, or just straight up becoming desensitized to the succubus in my dreams and just forget about her altogether. That said, the madness only grew worse and drove deeper into the pit. I ended up sick and taking time off from work because of how sleep-deprived, borderline manic I had become. My body was too weak to do anything significant and even so, I was too jittery to stay asleep. I started seeing things like shadows crawling around the house whenever there were
Starting point is 05:28:18 none. A static noise was hammering itself into my ears, and I nearly snapped at home. Found myself one second before throwing a vase into the TV. I stopped myself then and stormed out to my car. I knew where I had to go. Then I drove like a maniac to the only place where I could find some semblance of solace. Rathsburg. I was a raging ball of pure agony and anger when I drove there, but the second I arrived in this place, it all went away. The moment I felt that cold eerie silence, it's like it washed all the pain, all the anguish, all the noise away. I was on cloud nine again. Everything seemed to turn so mellow and pleasant. The deafening absence of sound felt so welcome and warm. My entire body started feeling heavy. My head became light
Starting point is 05:29:11 and my vision turned blurry. I remember little from that point on. Everything kind of faded into the darkness. I passed out. The soothing silence of Rathsburg had pulled a fast one on me again. This time, it didn't end up with me waking up on the roof of the church. I woke up where I collapsed, sore but well rested. My awakening was rude and strange once again.
Starting point is 05:29:37 This hell of a town refuses to let me have my peace. I woke up to the sound of frantic knocking and scratching underneath me. It started small and insignificant. Like a sound within a dream. At first, I ignored it, but it kept growing louder and more persistent, and then I realized I was actually slowly waking up. That day, there were no dreams. I was completely out, so this was clearly noticeable.
Starting point is 05:30:05 When I finally woke up, I noticed how the sky was colored that same odd tint of bluish-purple. The nightly shade made it seem as if the town was older and more dilapidated than it had actually been. The cross on the top of the church seems to have been bent even more. I was about to get up to my feet when the clawing sound coming from beneath me worked its way into my ears. I thought it must have been my imagination and got up slowly, but the noise emanated from the ground again. Almost instinctually, I got curious again, pressing my ear against the ground. For a couple of seconds, there was nothing. nothing, merely silence, death-like silence. Then clawing sound, it got stronger, replaced by
Starting point is 05:30:48 the sound of something pounding from beneath. Violent vibration on the ground. Then the clawing resumed. I shivered when I heard a quiet scream echoing underneath me. Looking up and around, I was alone, very alone. Then I pressed my ear against the ground again and I heard that same screaming again. It became frantic, desperate. My hands started moving on their own, digging, clawing at the ground. My throat was screaming without a command for my brain. I was urging something, or someone, to hang on as my hands tossed and turned the dirt beneath me. I dug until my hands turned bloody, but I had finally hit something solid. Something that wasn't a rock. I dug some more until I could see it. A hand awkwardly twisted into a strange angle. The digits were twisted
Starting point is 05:31:41 and broken in odd directions, similar to how my mind started spinning. I was trying to come up with an explanation for my morbid discovery, but none came up. The screen had become louder, almost deafening in contrast to the icy silence of the ghastly town. Something inside of me snapped, and I started digging around the semi-mummified arm like a madman. The longer I I dug, the louder the screaming became. Long minutes after my discovery, I saw a leg bent at an odd angle. Soon enough, I could make out words among the wild screams. Whomever this had been, they were still alive. Somehow. I thought at that time that it might have been a recently buried person, as in the hours preceding my arrival in Rathsburg. After what felt like an
Starting point is 05:32:30 hour of endless digging, I could finally see a face. To my horror. it too was in the wrong placement. Disgustingly wrong. I could make out the skin of the neck folding backward. Something completely twisted the spinal column out of place. I looked at the molested soil below me, attempting my best to ignore the grotesque positioning of the head and the manic screaming coming out of the mouth of this semi-mummified man. I started attempting to reassure him that everything will be fine. I doubt he listened. Since he never stopped screaming like a wounded animal. If I'm being entirely honest, I didn't believe everything would be fine for him. I doubted he was going to survive much longer after I had found him. His neck was broken
Starting point is 05:33:16 and rotated backward. His back was staring at me. The longer I stared, the more it became apparent something broke his body and decimated it in a very deliberate and brutal fashion. Once I dug enough of this man out, I could no longer hide my disgust. My stomach twist it around itself and the stench of death laced with the smell of moist soil drove me past the point of no return. I turned away and vomited. My mind was racing, my heart was beating like a demon drum in the halls of Leviathan, and my digestive system was attempting to escape through my mouth. The dying undead bastard wouldn't stop shrieking, and my patience ran out. I grabbed him by the head and yelled at him back. Something must have awoken in him as he shook his awkwardly folded body,
Starting point is 05:34:04 attempting to escape my grasp. I screamed at him to shut the fuck up, and he went dead silent. For a moment, I was at peace again. His body became still, his chest collided with the ground, and his eyes focused on mine. For a single moment, I thought I could calm him down. The next thing I know, he nearly pressed his back to my body and a sharp pain was emanating from my jaw. Teeth clasped themselves around my lower lip. The taste of pussed definitely helped snap me out of my disbelief. I punched the revenant, and he collapsed to the ground. Spitting and cursing under my breath, I could hear him hollering his madness once more. This time the sounds were fading as everything around me started spinning and my eyes
Starting point is 05:34:51 became heavy. The darkness quickly enveloped me. When I came to, I wasn't in my body. My clothes were odd, and my hands didn't seem like mine. They were too old and too rough to be mine. I found myself standing, peeking through some sort of old wooden door. Beyond the door, there was a hall in which sat a ground of people enjoying a feast. For men and a woman. My heart sank when I realized who this woman was. She was the woman that haunted my dreams. My body shook as I assumed that I must have been dreaming again. Viewing the world through the eyes of somebody else. I tried pinching myself, but that yielded no results whatsoever. As much as I hate to admit it, I already knew how this one was going to end.
Starting point is 05:35:41 The astral succubus wanted to make me suffer another bout of mental torture. My thoughts didn't really matter at those moments, though, because the body I was stuck and was focused on listening to the conversation inside the dining hall. His ear pressed carefully against the door as to not move it or make a noise. It's so nice to have dinner together again, don't you think so, kid, one man spoke, his voice gruff and heavy. Indeed, it is, old man, the woman responded. Judging from what I could gauge, none of the men were particularly old. Maybe she was younger than she appeared, even though she seemed like a fully grown adult.
Starting point is 05:36:21 The other three men began laughing. Say, Elizabeth, why do you keep referring to Otho as an old man? The gruff-sounding man was probably named Otho. Because he's an old man, his beard is graying obviously, the woman remarked. He's also a giant, but we don't call him a giant, another one quipped. Well, he is a giant, but he's an old giant, love, the woman retorted. Hey Fritz, Wad Chaw made this meat out of, it's pretty good, the fourth voice questioned another one. The man who referred to the woman as Elizabeth then responded, from the pale man.
Starting point is 05:36:58 Oh. Ha. Who knew that thing would taste this good? Did Cha kill it this time? No. Elizabeth wants this freak alive for some reason. Some odd fascination she has with this child breaker. That's why I keep chopping up parts of it, without killing it.
Starting point is 05:37:17 This creature seems to regrow whatever I take from it as long as the head stays in place. Anyway, our little girl is finally becoming a woman. took interest in a thing that looks at her like a dog in heat. Just a shame it isn't even human fahaha. Otho jokingly remarked before causing the whole room to laugh. Hey, it would be a shame to kill such a destructive animal. It's pretty intelligent too. Oh, yeah, it turns the kids it hunts into toys.
Starting point is 05:37:45 One man started laughing. This animal is even worse than us. We just kill them. To turn them into toys and kids on top of everything. this entire conversation was making me sick to my bones. The body I was in was of a similar opinion as I felt myself shivering and my balance was fading. Oh, don't act like you're above harming anything, Heinrich. We've all seen what you did back home.
Starting point is 05:38:12 Well, yeah, but I didn't turn any children or adults into objects. I just dismember them and maybe feed on their insights. I was having trouble breathing. This entire conversation, topped with a cannibalistic. dinner setting, was becoming too much for me. I just wanted this nightmare to end. Anyway, does anyone have any idea what that thing is, Elizabeth? I can't say for sure, but it was human at one point, and it's much older than we are. I didn't really get the chance to see what's inside its mind as it is filled with all sorts of violent and sexual
Starting point is 05:38:47 memories or thoughts. I don't even know. It's definitely not in its right mind anymore. Whatever it may be, The woman spoke. Man-beast sex slave that won't die easily, here to fulfill every fantasy you might have. Otho blurted out, causing the whole room to explode into a burst of violent laughter. The man in whose body I was stuck and couldn't handle the situation anymore, and so he left the scene. His eyes closed and then I found myself in another scenery. It was daytime, people were leaving the church. The scenery seemed somewhat familiar, almost like Wraithes.
Starting point is 05:39:25 but still different. We stood in the shade of one building facing the church. The woman was walking out of the church and the man called out to her. His body started shaking violently as she approached him. I could feel his heartbeat rising and his hair standing across his body. He pulled something out from underneath his cloak and his grip on the cold object seemed very unsteady and weak. The woman was right in front of us when he wrapped his arms around her, stabbing her with an old knife.
Starting point is 05:39:55 My mind was going hysteric from the scenery that unfolded in front of me. The man was losing his mind and kept repeatedly stabbing her in the abdomen. Each attempt seemed more and more frantic. He definitely hit a body. I felt the resistance of flesh. There was an impact, I heard it. It was all real. She never registered a thing.
Starting point is 05:40:20 Merely letting out a long, almost vocalized breath before smiling that God-awful smile she had haunted me with before. I was losing it. This had to end. I wanted out, knowing what was about to come. Fearful of the horror she was about to unleash. I was screaming inside the man's head, bashing in his mental walls with my fists. My tantrum yielded no results, as they forced me to watch the terror unfolding before my eyes.
Starting point is 05:40:50 One of her companions emerged from within the wall, taking the form of a living shadow about to strike down. her assailant. A mere gesture of her hand stopped her companion. The shadowy figure bore his fangs as she wrapped her arms around our shared shoulders, telling my host she'll forgive him because she's fond of holy men. Just this once. Then she walked off like nothing had happened and we collapsed to the floor, trembling in absolute terror. The man closed his eyes, and when he opened them once more. We were at a marketplace. The woman stood across from us and a large A large crowd of onlookers was standing all around us. A butcher stood right behind the woman who seemed mostly amused.
Starting point is 05:41:33 The man whose body I invaded was screaming at the top of his lungs. He was accusing the woman of being a witch, a whore of the devil, and other medieval curses. Something in the air was changing, though. There was electricity building up. I could feel it. Something awful was about to commence, and indeed it did. I stabbed her, was all the man managed to let out of his mouth before the butcher's blade
Starting point is 05:41:59 went straight through her and into his side. The feeling of metal cutting through me felt so real. The realization of the man losing his footing accompanied it. We fell even further onto the knife. I was screaming in pure agony inside of his head. It felt all too fucking real for a dream. The crowd suddenly became dead silent. I could see the jovial emotions in their eyes fading.
Starting point is 05:42:25 away, being replaced by murderous rage slowly, but evidently. The air became sultry with electricity. Everyone was dead silent, until one child broke the silence, slowly chanting. Neath the shadow of Mount Sinai, I watch as the killers swarm, at the feet of Milton's tomb. They bow before a ghastly form, of a serpent born from a barren womb, while the heavens grievously cry, unholy ghost, born of a lie, condemned to death, reborn in fire. black seraph unlike my path, thou art eternal, undying, intoxicated, I stand by your stench of death. Soon enough, more and more children started chanting all over us. I could hear their voices
Starting point is 05:43:07 growing louder, more menacing. They were dull and monotone, yet full of conviction, like a sermon. The air became stifling with each breath becoming more and more toxic to inhale. The woman's laughter rang in my ears as she grabbed the man before kissing him. I could feel her lips against mine. They were real, too real. They were real lips, but they were cold, beyond cold. Like touching a dead body. The feeling of the lips of a woman who wasn't my wife felt wrong.
Starting point is 05:43:41 I wanted to get away, but I couldn't. My body was hurting all over already. That was just the beginning, though. The woman grabbed the man's head, and with a quick motion, she snapped his neck. A terrible pain exploded through my neck, assured of my impending death. I was screaming and thrashing and pleading and begging for the torment to end. I wanted to wake up. The road to hell was long for me.
Starting point is 05:44:10 As we fell to the ground and everything seemed to go to shit, more pain came. So much pain, unimaginable amounts of pain. I just laid there and took every last raindrop from the storm of agony and torture they forced me to endure. The townsfolk descended upon us like a pack of hungry wolves tearing into us like a fresh kill. Merciless and unrelenting. If hell is real, then this is it. Every uncharted part of my body was beaten, bruised, broken, molested, and punished. No piece of skin was left untouched, no bone was left unbroken. Not a single cell was left unharmed. They left no bodily crevice unassaulted.
Starting point is 05:44:53 Everything was stabbed, poked, prodded, cut, and dug into in an orgy of violence and gore. The whole time, these demonic children kept chanting, almost mockingly. Been bored in silence, my dear old succubus, defile the universe as you rape the sun, beyond countless eons, come forth from the abyss, to bring the fall of all gods and man. Archangels blow your trumpets to hail her return. Santa seed falls torn apart between black holes. Lord of the hosts mourns while the heaven ceaselessly burn. Thus, ends the calm before the unending storm, ahead of endless torment, forcing creation to deform.
Starting point is 05:45:31 Here the cosmos scream the name of the ghost, signaling all hope is yet again lost. I couldn't do anything other than praying and pray I did. I prayed for the first time in years, and God seems to have not heard me because he never answered. He never delivered me either. Instead, at some point, the pain stopped feeling so bad. In fact, I started feeling really pleasant, a warm, wet pleasant feeling building up on the inside. And the voice, a sweet, sweet voice, was singing to me. Reassuring me that my downward ascend into the ninth circle is almost complete.
Starting point is 05:46:09 Finally, there was a light at the end of the tunnel. Before I knew it, I became enamored with the agony. Just as I felt at home in all the Hellspawn torment, I was drowning in, it disappeared. It was all gone. Completely gone, erased. I woke up again in Rathsburg. The revenant was still there, screaming and hollering like a tortured dog. His ungodly screaming was drilling into my brain.
Starting point is 05:46:38 The visions burned in my eyes, the execution of the heretic I had found, cursed into immortality spent as a broken pile of human mess for transgressing against her. Execution by decimation and premortal embalment. I felt like I knew who she was, what she was, but I couldn't get it out of my mouth. For some reason, I couldn't get the right words out. As I was struggling to form my thoughts, a hand grasped my shoulder. Looking behind me, I saw her unmatched beauty shining, and hell followed right behind her. She cast a shadow so vast it turned the universe beautifully dark.
Starting point is 05:47:16 At that moment, I could finally find the right words to describe her. Goddess. She smiled a gentle smile as she heard me utter that word. Looking lovingly deep into my eyes, she asked if the heretic had hurt me. His awful screaming was driving me insane, and I couldn't even speak right, so I simply nodded. She hugged me tightly. I could feel her love filling me up. I felt as if I was about to ascend straight into heaven.
Starting point is 05:47:45 Her death-like skin felt so warm and welcoming. Unlike anything, I've ever felt before. This was the most alive I had ever felt. She relinquished her hold on me, reassuring me everything will be just fine. Urging me to look at the heretic, she pulled me towards her, resting my head on her lap. I watched as a dark vortex appeared on the ground behind the screaming revenant. Two hands blacker than the darkest of nights appeared out of the vortex and pulled one of his legs into it. The vortex closed right as gravity pulled his leg through it.
Starting point is 05:48:21 A disgusting sound of bones breaking and flesh tearing echoed tore through the silence of Rathsburg. The heretic cried like a sheep in the slaughterhouse attempting to escape the jaws of death. I kept on looking at the specifically prolonged dismantle. of the semi-living screaming carcass. My goddess caressed my head as we both watched vortex after vortex, appearing to chop away a part of the perpetually suffering hermit. He attempted to crawl away using his head and torso, to no avail. A vortex opened right under him, before closing right as skin passed through it into the
Starting point is 05:48:55 realm below. The explosion of gore and guts tainting the soil of this ghost town was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. An eruption of crimson liquid took the shape of a giant rose beneath the infidel and his guts flew about like detached petals. After what seemed an eternity in heaven, his body was reduced to nothing but a mere head. A head that my ghastly goddess has offered to me as a sign of our union that took place in the dead center of the town of the ghost. I have since introduced my wife to my goddess and while she was reluctant to accept her at first. It took a while, but she has finally come around.
Starting point is 05:49:32 Her pleasureed screams of hellbound agony stemming from her initiation into our mystery are now serenading me from our bedroom as I write another hymn to our ghastly mistress. Whose eerie form watches me compose melodies in her honor, approvingly from the darkest corner of my house. Let me walk into their cities, where saints' blood, has covered every last trace, of remnants of living creation, where the still living corpses, drift in crimson mud, of death they dream, Their mouths are open, but the pain won't let them scream. Take me back to that beautiful place.
Starting point is 05:50:05 Ian's past and yet you remain the same. Cast your pernicious shadow over the sun. Crucify the masses and feed them to the flame. My dear enemy, don't you spare no one. Hell will follow, where you stand. Burn the universe with your ghastly halo, driving creation mad, unhallowed ghost. Let me walk into their cities, where saints' blood, has covered every last trace, of remnants of living creation. God mourns, with agony stigmatized across his face, that which he has lost, blackened
Starting point is 05:50:34 spirit, that which rose from a life's cremation, desolate, disembowl and decapitate, the serpent will mourn, that which you've killed, and he loved the most. I, the haunting arrival, in the heart of a forgotten countryside, where fog clings to ancient oaks and the moon casts eerie glimmers on crumbling stone, lies blackwood manor, a place shrouded in mystery and whispered tragedies. For centuries, villagers spoke in hushed tones of the manor's cursed legacy, woven from loss, secrets, and the haunting echoes of the past. On a bitter autumn evening, young historian Eleanor Ashford arrived at Blackwood Manor, determined to unravel its enigmas. Known for her relentless curiosity and a keen eye for detail, Eleanor had spent years studying local folklore and obscure manuscripts.
Starting point is 05:51:18 Her latest quest led her to this isolated estate, rumored to be the epicenter of a series of unexplained disappearances and whispered curses. Two, entering the manor. The manor loomed before her like a relic of a bygone era. Its imposing silhouette, crowned with broken gargoyles and ivy-clad walls, exuded a sense of melancholy in foreboding. As Eleanor pushed open the heavy oak door, a chill wind greeted her, as if the very soul of the mansion recognized her presence. Inside, the grand foyer was a labyrinth of shadow and light.
Starting point is 05:51:49 Dust moats danced in the beams of her lantern, and portraits of long-departed ancestors lined the walls with eyes that seemed to follow her every step. In the heart of the manner, she discovered a forgotten library filled with brittle tomes and manuscripts. Three, the enigmatic journal. Among the dusty relics, one leather-bound journal caught her attention, a journal belonging to a mysterious figure known only as Lord Alistair Blackwood. Eleanor began deciphering the cryptic entries, each page peeling back layers of tragedy. Lord Blackwood had once been a man of passion and ambition, but a series of heart-wrenching events had driven him to the brink of madness. The journal recounted his desperate attempts to resurrect
Starting point is 05:52:26 a lost love, a woman whose life had been snuffed out by a cruel twist of fate. In his grief, he had dabbled in forbidden rituals, seeking solace in the promise of reunion, even if it meant summoning forces beyond mortal control. Four, whispers of a tragic past, as Eleanor delved deeper into the narrative, a pattern emerged. The journal hinted at a fateful night when an ethereal presence was unleashed within the manor's walls. Residents of the estate of the estate of caught in the grip of despair and isolation, began to vanish without a trace. Ghostly apparitions and spectral figures soon became the talk of the nearby village, amplifying the manor's reputation as a nexus of supernatural sorrow.
Starting point is 05:53:05 One entry detailed a particularly harrowing event. During a tempestuous storm, Lord Blackwood had hosted a grand masquerade ball in a desperate bid to ward off the encroaching darkness. Guests arrived in elegant costumes and mysterious masks, their laughter masking underlying tension. Yet, as midnight approached, an unearthly wails silenced the revelers. In that moment of collective terror, the lights flickered, and a dense fog crept into the grand hall. When the storm subsided, several guests had vanished, leaving behind only echoes of despair and a lingering sense of doom.
Starting point is 05:53:38 V. The emergence of the supernatural, compelled by the raw emotions embedded in the journal, Eleanor began to sense a presence watching her from the shadows. At first, it was a fleeting glimpse, a figure in a tattered gown drifting past a door or a soft murmur carried on the wind. But as the night deepened, these occurrences grew more frequent and intense. In the silent corridors of the manor, she could almost hear the anguished cries of lost souls. Determined to uncover the truth, Eleanor followed a series of subtle clues left by Lord Blackwood. She discovered hidden passages and secret rooms, each revealing fragments of the manor's tragic history. Six, secrets in the hidden chamber. In one concealed chamber,
Starting point is 05:54:17 Eleanor found a collection of fated letters and photographs chronicling the forbidden love between Lord Blackwood and his news, Isabella. Their correspondence overflowed with promises of eternal devotion, yet fate had other plans. Isabella's sudden and mysterious death had plunged Lord Blackwood into an abyss of guilt and sorrow, fueling his desperate experiments to cheat death itself. The relics of their love told a story of passion, loss, and the relentless pursuit of a reunion beyond mortal bounds. 7. The Mirror of Tormented Souls. In the quiet hours before dawn, Eleanor encountered the
Starting point is 05:54:50 manor's most chilling secret. Behind a concealed door, she found a room dedicated to dark rituals. Its walls were adorned with archaic symbols, and at its center stood an ornate mirror, its surface marred by time yet strangely captivating. As she approached, the mirror rippled with a life of its own, reflecting not her image but a montage of tortured visages and spectral memories. In that moment, Eleanor felt an overwhelming surge of despair, a convergence of every lost soul, every shattered promise, and every whispered secret that had haunted Blackwood Manor for generations. Eight, a journey into the depths of history, realizing that the tragedy was not merely
Starting point is 05:55:26 the result of a doomed romance or a singular act of madness, Eleanor understood it was the cumulative agony of lives intertwined by fate and misfortune. The spirits of those who once roamed the manor were bound to it, unable to find peace until their stories were told. Determined to give voice to the forgotten, Eleanor vowed to document every detail of her journey. As the first rays of dawn filtered through the dusty windows, she sat at an ancient desk in the library and began to write, creating an account that would stand as a testament to love, loss, and the unyielding search for redemption. Nine, the dawn of revelation. Even as she penned her final thoughts, the manner whispered its
Starting point is 05:56:02 last secret, a promise that its legacy would endure long after her departure. The echo of a long-lost lullaby, carried on the morning breeze, hinted at a future shrouded in both hope and sorrow. In that ethereal melody, Eleanor sensed the eternal cycle of tragedy and renewal, a reminder that every ending is but a prelude to a new beginning. Her encounter with Blackwood Manor had granted her a profound insight, true horror lay not in spectral apparitions or cursed relics, but in the haunting realization that history is written by those brave enough to confront its darkest corners. X. Epilogue, The Enduring Legacy, Blackwood Manor had given Eleanor a gift,
Starting point is 05:56:38 a glimpse into the depths of human vulnerability and resilience. Her account was destined to immortalize the whispered secrets and forgotten tragedies of the manor, ensuring that the lost souls might finally find solace in the light of remembrance. I, the haunting arrival, in the heart of a forgotten countryside, where fog clings to ancient oaks and the moon casts eerie glimmers on crumbling stone, lies blackwood manor, a place shrouded in mystery and whispered tragedies. For centuries, villagers spoke in hushed tones of the manor's cursed legacy, woven from loss, secrets, and the haunting echoes of the past.
Starting point is 05:57:10 On a bitter autumn evening, young historian Eleanor Ashford arrived at Blackwood Manor, determined to unravel its enigmas. Known for her relentless curiosity and a keen eye for detail, Eleanor had spent years studying local folklore and obscure manuscripts. Her latest quest led her to this isolated estate, rumored to be the epicenter of a series of unexplained disappearances and whispered curses. Two, entering the manor, the manor loomed before her like a relic of a bygone era. Its imposing silhouette, crowned with broken gargoyles and ivy-clad walls, exuded a sense of
Starting point is 05:57:42 melancholy in foreboding. As Eleanor pushed open the heavy oak door, a chill wind greeted her, as if the very soul of the mansion recognized her presence. Inside, the grand foyer was a labyrinth of shadow and light. Dust moats danced in the beams of her lantern, and portraits of long-departed ancestors lined the walls with eyes that seemed to follow her every step. In the heart of the manner, she discovered a forgotten library filled with brittle tomes and manuscripts.
Starting point is 05:58:08 Three, the enigmatic journal, among the dusty relics, one leather-bound journal caught her attention, a journal belonging to a mysterious figure known only as Lord Alistair Blackwood. Eleanor began deciphering the cryptic entries, each page peeling back layers of tragedy. Lord Blackwood had once been a man of passion and ambition, but a series of heart-wrenching events had driven him to the brink of madness. The journal recounted his desperate attempts to resurrect a lost love, a woman whose life had been snuffed out by a cruel twist of fate. In his grief, he had dabbled in forbidden rituals, seeking solace in the promise of reunion, even if it meant summoning forces beyond mortal
Starting point is 05:58:44 control. Four, whispers of a tragic past, as Eleanor delved deeper into the narrative, a pattern emerged. The journal hinted at a fateful night when an ethereal presence was unleashed within the manor's walls. Residents of the estate, caught in the grip of despair and isolation, began to vanish without a trace. Ghostly apparitions and spectral figures, years soon became the talk of the nearby village, amplifying the manor's reputation as a nexus of supernatural sorrow. One entry detailed a particularly harrowing event. During a tempestuous storm, Lord Blackwood had hosted a grand masquerade ball in a desperate bid to ward off the encroaching darkness. Guests arrived in elegant costumes and mysterious masks, their laughter-masking
Starting point is 05:59:25 underlying tension. Yet, as midnight approached, an unearthly wales silenced the revelers. In that moment of collective terror, the lights flickered, and a dense fog crept into the grand hall. When the storm subsided, several guests had vanished, leaving behind only echoes of despair and a lingering sense of doom. V. The emergence of the supernatural, compelled by the raw emotions embedded in the journal, Eleanor began to sense a presence watching her from the shadows. At first, it was a fleeting glimpse, a figure in a tattered gown drifting past a doorway, or a soft murmur carried on the wind. But as the night deepened, these occurrences grew more frequent and intense. In the silent corridors of the manor, she could almost hear the anguished cries of
Starting point is 06:00:07 lost souls. Determined to uncover the truth, Eleanor followed a series of subtle clues left by Lord Blackwood. She discovered hidden passages and secret rooms, each revealing fragments of the manor's tragic history. Six, secrets in a hidden chamber. In one concealed chamber, Eleanor found a collection of faded letters and photographs chronicling the forbidden love between Lord Blackwood and his muse, Isabella. Their correspondence overflowed with promises of eternal devotion, yet fate had other plans. Isabella's sudden and mysterious death had plunged Lord Blackwood into an abyss of guilt and sorrow, fueling his desperate experiments to cheat death itself.
Starting point is 06:00:44 The relics of their love told a story of passion, loss, and the relentless pursuit of a reunion beyond mortal bounds. 7. The Mirror of Tormented Souls. In the quiet hours before dawn, Eleanor encountered the manor's most chilling secret. Behind a concealed door, she found a room dedicated to dark rituals. Its walls were adorned with archaic symbols, and at its center stood an ornate mirror, its surface marred by time yet strangely captivating. As she approached, the mirror rippled with a life of its own, reflecting not her image
Starting point is 06:01:14 but a montage of tortured visages and spectral memories. In that moment, Eleanor felt an overwhelming surge of despair, a convergence of every lost soul, every shattered promise, and every whispered secret that had haunted Blackwood Manor for generations. Eight, a journey into the depths of history, realizing that the tragedy was not mirror the result of a doomed romance or a singular act of madness, Eleanor understood it was the cumulative agony of lives intertwined by fate and misfortune. The spirits of those who once roamed the manner were bound to it, unable to find peace until their stories were told. Determined to give voice
Starting point is 06:01:47 to the forgotten, Eleanor vowed to document every detail of her journey. As the first rays of dawn filtered through the dusty windows, she sat at an ancient desk in the library and began to write, creating an account that would stand as a testament to love, loss, and the unyielding search for redemption. Nine, the dawn of revelation. Even as she penned her final thoughts, the manor whispered its last secret, a promise that its legacy would endure long after her departure. The echo of a long-lost lullaby, carried on the morning breeze, hinted at a future shrouded
Starting point is 06:02:17 in both hope and sorrow. In that ethereal melody, Eleanor sensed the eternal cycle of tragedy and renewal, a reminder that every ending is but a prelude to a new beginning. Her encounter with Blackwood Manor had granted her a profound insight, true horror lay not in spectral apparitions or cursed relics, but in the haunting realization that history is written by those brave enough to confront its darkest corners. X. Epilogue, The Enduring Legacy, Blackwood Manor had given Eleanor a gift, a glimpse into the depths of human vulnerability and resilience. Her account was destined to immortalize the
Starting point is 06:02:49 whispered secrets and forgotten tragedies of the manor, ensuring that the lost souls might finally find solace in the light of remembrance. Whispers of the night, Jenna and Mark's love story began like a fairy tale. Endless days spent in laughter, deep conversations under the stars, and passionate embraces that made time stand still. They moved in together, their little apartment filled with the promise of a future. But one fateful night, everything they had built began to crumble. It was a chilly October evening, the air thick with the scent of impending rain. The couple was in the midst of a heated argument, Jenna was tired of Mark's persistent late nights at the bar, while Mark felt suffocated by Jenna's
Starting point is 06:03:32 need for constant attention. Voices soared, hurtful words were exchanged, and in a fit of anger, Mark stormed out, slamming the door behind him. Left alone in the silence of the room, Jenna sat on the couch, tears streaming down her face. The shadows danced across the walls, mocking her loneliness. Just as she began to gather herself, a soft knock echoed through the apartment. Go away, she shouted, her heart racing with fear and pain. But the voice that followed sent a chill down her spine, it was Mark's voice, pleading. Baby, let me in. I'm sorry. Can we work this out? Her heart ached at the sound, craving reconciliation. Leave me alone, she cried. Please, just let me in, the voice persisted, filled with desperation. Again,
Starting point is 06:04:26 her better judgment, fueled by emotion, she rose and opened the door. What greeted her was not her beloved but a tall figure clad in dark clothing, a chilling mask obscuring his face, a glint of steel catching the dim light. Her breath hitched, but before she could scream, he lunged forward, plunging a knife into her abdomen. Each stab was swift, ruthless, and precise. The world around her faded into darkness as pain coursed through her body like fire. Jenna collapsed to the floor, the life draining from her eyes.
Starting point is 06:05:02 The masked man pulled away, leaving her gasping for breath, blood pooling around her. He crouched down beside her, his gloved hands tracing the outline of her stomach before placing a note on her body, scrawling with a sinister ease, you should have never left her alone. A few hours later, Mark returned home, hoping to apologize and mend the rift between them. As he opened the door, a wave of unease washed over him. Then he saw it, Jenna's lifeless body, butchered into pieces on the floor. A scream tore from his throat, echoed by the darkness surrounding him. He ran out, heart pounding, desperation fueling his need for help.
Starting point is 06:05:44 As he dialed 9-1-1, he glanced toward the woods and caught a glimpse of movement. a figure stood among the trees, a blood-stained mask gleaming in the moonlight, waving at him. Terror filled his veins as he shouted for the police to come. The officers quickly descended on the area, weapons drawn, scanning for the threat. In the chaos, someone shouted, put the knife down. Mark's panic grew, he heard gunshots ripped through the air, followed by yells of the officers. Suddenly, the killer bolted into the shadows, leaving a chaos. of bodies in his wake.
Starting point is 06:06:21 With his heart in his throat, Mark sprinted toward the safety of the woods, the haunting screams and sirens ringing in his ears. Within the trees, he grabbed a random passerby. We need to get out of here, he yelled, pulling the stranger into hiding behind an old oak. Gunshots rang behind them, then silence. Hope flickered briefly, they believed they were safe. The stranger wanted to investigate, inching closer to the cave. chaos, whispering, let me see. But fear coursed through Mark.
Starting point is 06:06:54 No. Stay here, he begged. However, that plea fell on deaf ears as the stranger crept forward, only to be met with the killer, who had emerged from the darkness, knife in hand, piercing through the stranger's back. Mark's heart shattered. Screams filled the air, and he turned to run, but the killer's gaze was upon him, fueled by the thrill of the hunt. Then, Mark heard the distant cries of officers calling out, their words of warning barely reaching him. As he dove deeper into the woods, he stumbled upon
Starting point is 06:07:28 a scene of horror, bodies strewn across the ground, officers lifeless, their faces frozen in terror. Stricken with fear, Mark could barely process what he saw when the chilling sound of footsteps approached him. Running faster than ever, he knew he had to escape. Just when he thought he had lost the killer, the creature came at him with renewed vigor. Mark darted into a clearing, a police station in the distance, but it appeared abandoned. Clarity dawned as he raced inside, his breath hitching in his throat in horror. Every officer lay dead, their bodies mangled, a note placed on the wall, you can't get away. We're just starting to have fun. A scream echoed from an adjacent room, fueled by a desperation that struck deep into Mark's soul, help me.
Starting point is 06:08:16 Please. But he couldn't bear to confront another thing sleeping in those shadows. In a moment of wild panic, he dashed outside. On the road, he frantically waved down a car, hurling himself in front of it. It skidded to a halt, a kind stranger, terrified but willing to assist, yelled, get in. Driven by adrenaline, they sped through the night, but fate had other plans, a figure emerged from the tree lean, there stood the killer, waving his severed hand as if to mock them. Drive.
Starting point is 06:08:51 Drive. Mark screamed, the stranger flooring the gas pedal as they raced away. Hours passed before they finally found themselves in a remote town, their hearts racing with relief amidst the dawn. Exhausted, they made their way to the local police station, recounting the horrific tale. But before they could feel safe, a call crackled through the radio. murders reported just ten miles away. As they arrived at the grim scene, their heart sank at the sight of another body, dismembered, another note attached. If you give up those two boys, everything will go away.
Starting point is 06:09:28 Nausea twisted in Mark's gut, hopelessness seeped into his bones. Yet, the police tried to calm them, assuring them they would be safe. But hours passed, and the killer seemingly taunted them at every turn. When police finally cornered him down, Shots rang once again, and they thought it was over. Lifting the mask from the killer's face, relief rushed through the officers. But that relief turned to horror when the figure awoke, gasping for breath as he reached for a knife hidden beneath his body. Chaos erupted.
Starting point is 06:10:02 Everyone has to die. He screamed, striking outwards with a rushed fervor. The police attempted to subdue him, but he was a whirlwind of bloodlust, cutting down officers left and right. Mark watched, paralyzed in fear, as the killer approached him, a glint of madness in his eyes. Then, in a haunting response to Liberty, the killer spun around, knife raised high, and with one arcing swipe, Mark felt the edge sliced through flesh. Falling to the ground, blood pooling around him, Mark was left questioning what had happened to their normal life, a tragedy woven into nightmares, and within that darkness, he and Jenna,
Starting point is 06:10:42 once inseparable, were now lost forever. And so the cycle of horror continued. I sat in our family garden with my brother, discussing the series of child disappearances that had terrorized the county. Rumors swirled around the case, but the most unsettling implicated both a reclusive church monk from the chapel across the street and a school nurse. Lost in our speculative musings,
Starting point is 06:11:04 spinning threads of horror and imagination, our conversation was abruptly interrupted by our father, who announced that prospective buyers had arrived to see the house. I went out to greet them about ten minutes later. The visitors were a man and a woman in their mid-thirties, accompanied by a remarkably composed seven-year-old girl. Yet, what caught my eye was the woman, she cradled a small child tightly wrapped in a heavy cloth, as if determined to conceal him.
Starting point is 06:11:29 Their peculiar air, even evoking an almost theatrical nod to the classic detective duo of Watson and his partner, did little to distract me from my duty. I began the tour on the ground floor, showcasing the warm kitchen, the inviting living room, and several guest rooms. Soon after, my mother called me to lead the buyers to the second floor. As we climbed the creaking stairs, I overheard the man and woman exchanging hushed words. In a fleeting moment, the little girl, calm beyond her years, uttered the word, shovel, while pointing to a toy that belonged to my younger brother. She remarked to her father that it wasn't nearly as good for digging as her larger shovel, but he cut her off sharply, his tone
Starting point is 06:12:07 laced with a palpable urgency as though he feared she might reveal too much. My mother quickly intervened, steering the conversation back to the house, after all, my parents were insistent on selling, or even abandoning, the house despite its charm. After some tense negotiations, the buyers refused to pay the asking price, citing that the grave of the house is too small to justify such an expense. Their visit ended as abruptly as it had begun. As they left, I noticed from the car porch that the man and woman appeared visibly unsettled. At one point, the woman's grip slackened, and the cloth covering the small child slipped, revealing his face for just a moment.
Starting point is 06:12:45 There, emblazoned on his forehead, was a deep, raw gash, a vivid red mark meticulously arranged in the form of an inverted, curved cross. An inexplicable shock surged through me, as if an unseen force had struck. That evening at dinner, I recounted what I had witnessed. My family met my words with laughter and dismissive scoffs, save for my older brother, who seemed gravely disturbed. In a hushed tone, he revealed that he had read the police statements regarding the missing children case. According to the report, a child's limp body had been discovered by the river
Starting point is 06:13:16 in a neighboring village that very morning, bearing mysterious symbols and scars whose origins remained unexplained. His revelation left us all stunned, though our father curtly commanded, enough. Finish your meal and return to your rooms. I spent the night tormented by the image of that scarred face, overwhelmed by regret. Had I been as diligent as my brother in keeping up with the news, I might have alerted the authorities immediately, or even documented the strange couple and their child to launch my own investigation. Days later, while passing by the long abandoned house down the street, I noticed an unexpected flurry of activity. The property, deserted for over five years, was suddenly alive
Starting point is 06:13:54 with workers' unloading furniture and repair crews busily restoring its neglected structure. Oddly, the previous owners had fled in haste not long after their purchase, and throughout those five years, three imposing statues had stood Sentinel in the backyard, fixed firmly into the earth. I had yet to see the new owners, but a flicker of excitement stirred within me at the thought that perhaps they might have a daughter my age, or even a son. When I returned home, I found my mother preparing her famed county dish, a unique pumpkin and squash soup that, despite its unusual blend, was undeniably delicious. Later, the radio crackled to life with an official announcement, new developments in the missing children case. It reported that
Starting point is 06:14:33 authorities had identified the murdered child, whose body bore that distinctive mark, through DNA casting, confirming his identity as Jack Wilson. At that moment, my mother inquired, isn't he the son of the living monk's nephew? I nodded silently in affirmation. The day slipped by quickly. As I prepared to leave for school on my bicycle, I passed the newly renovated house once more and caught a glimpse of something all too familiar, the same little girl who had accompanied those dubious figures.
Starting point is 06:15:00 To be continued. My girlfriend talks in her sleep. Last night, she said, where are the bodies? If I'm being honest, I ignored the warning signs. I mean, wouldn't you? Sharon was perfect. Or at least she seemed perfect at the time. She's beautiful in that classic way that makes people stop and stare.
Starting point is 06:15:23 Smart, too. She has a dry sense of humor that could cut glass, and she knows exactly how to use it. We've been dating for eight months. And yeah, maybe it was a little fast, but everything just clicked. From our first date, I knew I wanted her in my life. She was the whole package, someone I could actually see myself building a future with. Looking back, there were little things I should have paid more attention to. It all started on our fourth date.
Starting point is 06:15:54 We were sitting on her couch, drinking wine, when she brought it up. I should probably warn you about something, she said, swirling her glass. I raised an eyebrow, already half in love with her. Oh. What's that? I'm not the easiest person to sleep next to, she said. I laughed, thinking she was joking. Don't worry, I've shared a bed with snores. I can handle it. She shook her head, a small smile on her lips. It's not just that. I talk in my sleep. Sometimes I move. Or, well, I've even hit people before. Hit people, eh, sounds like an occupational hazard, I joked. gave me a look, half serious, half amused. I'm just saying, it's happened before. If you decide to stay, you've been warned. At the time, I didn't think much of it. It sounded, even kind of cute. But looking back, should have taken her more seriously. The first time I stayed at her place,
Starting point is 06:16:59 I half expected her to punch me in her sleep, just so I could tease her about it the next day. But mostly, that first night was quiet. She shifted. the bit, murmuring what sounded like gibberish. No, not the red one. Don't let it fall, I barely noticed. Over the next few weeks, her sleep quirk started to show more. One night I woke up to her hand smacking me square in the chest. What the hell? I muttered, dazed and confused. Sharon was still asleep, her arm limp across the bed. The next morning, I brought it up at breakfast. So, you hit me last night, she nearly choked on her coffee, eyes wide with a touch of mock horror. I did, yeah. Solid shot. Guess you were dreaming you were in a fight or something. She smiled,
Starting point is 06:17:50 shaking her head. Maybe I was dreaming about Aaron. Aaron was her ex-husband. She didn't talk about him much, but from what I could gather, their divorce had been messy. The way she said his name, half joking, half bitter, made me wonder if there was more to the story. Still, I laughed it off. At the time, it didn't seem like a big deal. But the warnings kept coming, in subtle ways I didn't recognize for what they were. A few weeks after I started staying over, Sharon brought it up again. One night as we were getting into bed, I wasn't kidding about the sleep stuff, you know, she said.
Starting point is 06:18:29 I know, I replied, pulling the covers over us. Honestly, it's not that bad. kind of adorable. Her smile faltered for a second. Just, don't freak out if I say something weird, okay, I squeezed her hand, trying to reassure her. Sharon, it's really not a big deal. I think you're perfect. Nothing you say in your sleep is going to change that. She smiled again. But this time, the smile didn't quite reach her eyes. At the time, I thought it was nothing. Now, I wish I'd taken that moment more seriously. The first few weeks at Karen's house were fairly normal. Sure, she moved a lot in her sleep, tossing, turning, even murmuring. But I thought it was just part of her quirky charm.
Starting point is 06:19:19 Then her sleep talk started to change, dramatically. At first, it was things like, put that down, or go get the cat. I'd laugh about it the next day. But one night, about a month later, I woke up to something different. It's under the oak tree, Sharon murmured, her voice low and steady. I blinked, groggy and confused. Sharon, she didn't respond. Her body was still, breathing slowly. I sat up and leaned in.
Starting point is 06:19:50 What's under the oak tree? Nothing. She didn't say anything else. Just turned over and snuggled deeper into the blanket. The next morning at breakfast, I brought it up. You said something weird last night while you were asleep, I told her. Sharon raised an eyebrow, sipping her coffee. Oh yeah.
Starting point is 06:20:11 What did I say? It was strange. You said, it's under the oak tree. She tilted her head like she was trying to decide if I was joking. Ha. That's odd. Maybe it was about a treehouse or something. Do you remember what you were dreaming about?
Starting point is 06:20:28 She shook her head. No. My dreams are. are incredibly random. You know how it is. I nodded, but her response didn't sit right with me. There was something about the way she brushed it off, too casual, like she was steering the conversation away. A week later, I woke up to find her walking around the bed, as if she were measuring the room. Sharon? I whispered, rubbing my eyes. She didn't respond. I reached for the nightstand lamp, but the second I touched it. Don't, she said sharply.
Starting point is 06:21:02 My hand froze. Don't what, she didn't reply. Just stood there for a moment, then climbed back into bed, moving stiffly, almost robotically. The next morning, I kept it to myself. I wanted to ask her about what she'd said, but something told me not to. Things got worse after that. One night, she sat up in bed and started murmuring again. Two miles off the highway, she said, in a calm, steady voice.
Starting point is 06:21:32 It works better when the ground is wet. I didn't even try to wake her that time. I just lay there, staring at the ceiling, feeling the hairs on the back of my neck rise. When she finally turned over and went silent, I got up and went to the kitchen. My hands were shaking as I poured a glass of water. What the hell was happening? The breaking point came a few nights later. I woke up to find Sharon sitting on the edge of the bed, her back to me. I told him it wouldn't work, she whispered.
Starting point is 06:22:04 I slowly sat up. Sharon, she didn't turn around. Her head tilted slightly, like she was listening to someone I couldn't see. He said he'd take care of it, but he didn't. Now it's my problem, Sharon, who are you talking to? I asked. She didn't respond. Instead, she stood up and walked out of the room.
Starting point is 06:22:27 I didn't follow. I just sat there. frozen, listening to her footsteps fade down the hallway. When I woke up the next morning, she was already in the kitchen, humming as she flipped pancakes. She looked up and smiled when she saw me. Morning, she said cheerfully. I forced a smile, but my stomach twisted. I couldn't stop thinking about what she'd said in her sleep. The night I realized something was really wrong started like any other. Sharon fell asleep quickly, curled on her side, while I stayed up scrolling through my phone.
Starting point is 06:23:03 Everything seemed normal, until I heard her voice. At first, I thought she was talking to me. I held her nose closed, she said. I froze. Her voice was low, cold, almost monotone. It didn't take long. She struggled a bit, but then she stopped. I turned toward her.
Starting point is 06:23:25 Sharon was still lying on her side, breathing slowly. I whispered. No response. Then her voice dropped to a whisper. I dragged her down the embankment. The soil was soft, perfect for digging. What the hell? I muttered. The next morning, I confronted her.
Starting point is 06:23:46 You talked in your sleep again last night. Sharon looked up from her coffee with a playful expression. Really? What did I say this time? Hope it wasn't anything embarrassing. You said something about suffocating someone. And digging a grave, she frowned. That's weird.
Starting point is 06:24:05 Maybe a bad dream from one of those crime shows I watch. You know, like Netflix stuff, she laughed, but it didn't feel genuine. You don't remember what you were dreaming about. I pressed. Sharon shook her head. Nope. Honestly, Chris, I never remember any of my dreams. I nodded, but I didn't believe her.
Starting point is 06:24:27 A few days later, I woke again to her voice. Max, she said. Her tone was calm, distant. I sat up in bed, goosebumps rising on my arms. He's behind the old barn, she continued. The one with the blue door, the name sounded familiar. A young man named Max had gone missing years ago during a camping trip. His case had never been solved.
Starting point is 06:24:55 I didn't bring it up the next morning. I didn't know how. But I couldn't get the name, or her words, out of my head. I googled Max's name for my phone. His disappearance happened in the next county over. There was no mention of a barn or a blue door in the reports, but the other details she mentioned matched the area where he was last seen. A few days later, I got up the nerve to suggest something to Sharon.
Starting point is 06:25:21 She was smiling when I approached. Have you ever thought about doing a sleep study? I asked carefully. Her smile faded. Why would I? I don't know. You've said some really strange things in your sleep. Maybe it's stress or something.
Starting point is 06:25:39 I'm fine, she said, shaking her head. You're overthinking everything. What about recording it? I said, Just so you can hear it yourself, her expression darkened immediately. No. Absolutely not. That's a huge invasion.
Starting point is 06:25:56 of privacy, I wasn't trying to. If you ever record me without my permission, Chris, we're done. I mean it, our eyes met. I nodded and we moved on with the day. But inside, my world was crumbling. That night, after she fell asleep, I couldn't help myself. I slipped my phone under a pillow on her side of the bed and hit record. The next morning, while she was in the shower, I played back the audio file. At first, it was just static. Then, around 2 a.m., her voice came through, clear as day. Nina was screaming too loud, Sharon murmured. Had to go quick. No room for mistakes, I froze. To be continued. Then, around 2 a.m., her voice appeared, clear as day.
Starting point is 06:26:48 Nina was screaming too much, Sharon murmured. Quick, I had to go quickly. There was no room for mistakes. I froze. Nina, I knew her too. A teenage girl with that name had disappeared five years ago, and her case was still open. No.
Starting point is 06:27:08 It couldn't be. I thought, this isn't possible. I couldn't ignore it any longer. I had to know if what you were. was saying was true. That afternoon, I drove to one of the places Sharon had described, a barn with a blue door. It wasn't far, about 20 minutes outside of town. I found it easily. The building was old and weathered, its faded door barely hanging on. Behind the barn was a small grove of trees. The ground beneath them looked disturbed, like someone had recently dug
Starting point is 06:27:42 there. I told myself to leave, but I couldn't. I'd grabbed a nearby branch and began to scrape at the earth. I didn't have to dig far. The strong, unmistakable smell hit me first. Then I saw it, a torn piece of fabric, dirt-stained, clinging to what I could only describe as remains. Sharon hadn't been dreaming. I couldn't stop. And every morning, while she showered or made coffee, I'd review what she said.
Starting point is 06:28:12 It was always the same. She kept crying. So I had to do it fast. It wasn't clean, she said. She's in the quarry now. The water keeps her hidden. The names changed, but the pattern didn't. Each night, Sharon would whisper something chilling, something specific.
Starting point is 06:28:33 Beneath the Roots. No one ever checks beneath the roots. Every morning, I woke up more terrified than the last. The audio files piled up, each one a piece. of a horrifying puzzle. I couldn't deny it anymore. They weren't dreams. They were confessions. You've been quiet lately, she said one morning, sliding a plate of scrambled eggs across the table. I'm just tired, I muttered, avoiding her gaze. You're always tired these days, she said, tilting her head. Is something bothering you? I lied. No, she studied me for a moment,
Starting point is 06:29:12 her gaze sharp and unwavering. Then she smiled. Okay, after that, I felt like she was watching me more closely, waiting for me to slip up. One night, she caught me. I thought she was asleep. I was sitting on the couch with my headphones plugged into my phone, listening to the latest recording. I said I'd take care of it, Sharon whispered in the recording. But he didn't Listen. I had to clean up his mess. The sound of her voice made my skin crawl. What are you doing, Chris? I jumped, ripping the headphones from my ears. Sharon was standing in the hallway, arms crossed over her chest. Nothing, I said quickly, locking my phone and shoving it in my pocket. Her eyes narrowed. You were listening to
Starting point is 06:30:01 something. I, no, I stammered. Just scrolling through Instagram, she didn't move. Her expression didn't change. She just stood there, staring. Let me see your phone, she said finally. What? I asked, laughing nervously. I said, give me your phone, Chris, why? Because I think you're lying to me, I stood up, trying to keep my voice calm.
Starting point is 06:30:29 Sharon, this is ridiculous. Is it? She said, stepping closer. You've been acting strange for weeks. avoiding me locking your phone what are you hiding nothing i replied why would you think i then let me see it she said cutting me off no the word came out louder than i intended karen's voice turned cold flat you recorded me didn't you a wave of terror rushed through me i don't know what you're talking about she stepped forward again You recorded me while I was sleeping.
Starting point is 06:31:06 Admit it, Sharon, I, give me the phone, Chris, no, she lunged at me, her fingers reaching for my pocket. I backed away, trying to push her off, but she didn't let go. Give it to me, she screamed, her voice echoing through the apartment. I broke free from her grip and ran to the door. I didn't stop running until I reached my car. My hands were shaking so badly it took me three times. tries to get the key into the ignition. As I pulled out of the parking lot, I glanced back at the building. Sharon was standing at the window, watching me. I never went back
Starting point is 06:31:44 for my things. Not even for my phone. The next day, I logged into my cloud account from a public library computer. The recordings were gone. Sharon must have found a way to delete them. I sat there staring at the empty folder. All the evidence, every piece of proof, was gone. I didn't go to the police. I couldn't. What was I going to say? That my girlfriend confessed to dozens of murders in her sleep, that I found a body exactly where she said it would be. They'd laugh me out of the station, or worse, think I was involved. And without the recordings, I had nothing but my word. So I did the only thing I could think of, I ran. I drove straight to the nearest town, checked into a cheap motel, and spent the rest of the night staring at the
Starting point is 06:32:35 cracked ceiling, trying to figure out what the hell I was going to do. The next morning, I bought a new foam with cash. Nothing fancy, just a basic model that could make calls and access my cloud account. Not that it mattered. The recordings were gone. Every file I had backed up had been wiped. She'd found a way to erase them. For weeks, I stayed in that motel, keeping a a low profile and jumping at every sound outside my door. I knew Sharon was out there, watching, waiting for the right moment to strike. I avoided social media, too afraid she'd use it to track me
Starting point is 06:33:13 down. The only thing I kept up with was the news. Every morning, I'd scroll through local crime reports, praying not to see her name, or worse, news of another body. At first, there was nothing. No missing persons. No murders. For a moment, I let myself believe maybe I had scared her enough to make her stop. Then the killing started again. At first, it was small things. A man found strangled in his home. A woman's body pulled from a lake. Both in neighboring counties. The circumstances eerily matched the stories Sharon whispered in her sleep. I told myself it was just a coincidence. It had to be. But then it got closer. A teenage girl disappeared from my hometown. Her bicycle was found abandoned by the roadside, just a mile from where I grew up.
Starting point is 06:34:09 A week later, her body was found in a shallow grave beneath a grove of trees. I couldn't breathe when I saw the report. The location matched Karen's description exactly. Beneath the roots, that's the trick. No one checks beneath the roots. It was her. It had to be. The breaking point came when the news reported another victim, my cousin Riley. Riley and I weren't close anymore, but we'd grown up together. She was the kind of person who lit up every room she walked into, always smiling, always laughing.
Starting point is 06:34:45 When I saw her name on the news, it felt like the ground collapsed beneath me. The reporter said she was found near the same woods where the teenager had been discovered. They didn't give details, but I already knew what they weren't saying. I knew it was Sharon. For days, I couldn't eat or sleep. All I could think about was Riley, how I could have stopped this. If I'd done something earlier, Dawn to the police, told someone, anyone, what Sharon had said. But I didn't.
Starting point is 06:35:16 I ran like a coward. And now Riley's dead. The guilt is suffocating. I've made a lot of mistakes in my life, but running from Sharon has to be the worst. I thought leaving would save me. I thought it would keep her from knowing what I knew. But the truth is, it didn't save Riley. It didn't save anyone.
Starting point is 06:35:38 I can't keep this to myself anymore. I don't care if no one believes me, or if they think I'm crazy. Even if it puts a target on my back, I have to tell someone. I have to do something. For days, I've been here trying to find the right words. Words that might make someone believe me. Words that might stop her. But the truth is, I don't think it matters anymore.
Starting point is 06:36:04 Riley is dead, and it's my fault. I can't stop seeing her face in the news. I can't stop hearing my mom's shaky voice on the phone telling me what happened. I could have done something. I could have stopped Sharon. But I didn't. my hands are shaking my head hurts my chest is tight but i have to get this out someone needs to know her name is sharon she's smart beautiful perfect on the outside and she's a killer
Starting point is 06:36:39 she confessed it all max nina everyone she described how she did it where she buried them i thought they were just dreams at first God, I wanted to believe they were just dreams But I found one I dug where she said to dig, and there it was I tried to run Thought if I stayed quiet, she'd let me go But the murders never stopped I guess I want someone to know the truth before she finds me
Starting point is 06:37:10 Because she will It's only a matter of time There's a sound I freeze, my fingers hovering above the keyboard I hear glass breaking. Slow, steady footsteps coming from the kitchen. A wave of nausea hits me. I grabbed the gun for my nightstand, my hands shaking so badly I almost drop it.
Starting point is 06:37:34 Oh God! She's here. I don't know if I'll make it out of this. If I disappear, you'll know why. If someone finds this, please, don't let her get away with it. Sometimes, the people we think we know can hide parts of themselves we'd never imagine. This story teaches us that even if we feel a deep love and trust towards someone, it's always worth listening to our gut and paying attention to the
Starting point is 06:37:59 signs. Human instinct is strong. And while ignoring it may seem easier, sometimes it can protect us from situations we never want to face. What would you do if you were in the protagonist's shoes? The end. The mystery surrounding Javier Galera's disappearance in May 2006 has been a perplexing and unsettling case. This story begins with a father's concern for his son. Francisco Gallera, on May 14, 2006, received a call from his 27-year-old son, Javier, who said he was in Madrid with some friends and would be coming home the next day. However, days passed, and Francisco didn't hear from his son again.
Starting point is 06:38:39 His calls went unanswered, and when he contacted Javier's friends, they also didn't respond. This was unlike Javier, who had always been responsible and kept in touch regularly. As the days went by with no word from Javier, Francisco began to ask around the town of Pineda de Mar, where they lived. People told him that they had seen Javier in town on that very Sunday, May 14th, the day he supposedly called from Madrid. This raised an alarming question for Francisco, if Javier was supposed to be in Madrid, how could he have been seen in town? Have he traveled back that same day, or had he never left at all? This confusion led Francisco to delve deeper, seeking answers from those who might know what had happened to his son. He turned to the family who owned the local esoteric shop, Chango, where Javier had recently become a frequent visitor. Francisco's search for answers started with the Carrillo family, the owners of Chango, and it would only lead him into a series of strange, inexplicable events. Javier Galera Moreno was a young man from Pineda de Mar, a small town in Barcelona. He was known to be a kind-hearted, hardworking individual. He worked alongside his father at their fruit stall in the local market, particularly at the Kalea Market in Pinsala.
Starting point is 06:39:48 Javier was the picture of a responsible young man, he didn't drink, didn't smoke, and generally avoided trouble. He had a stable job and was well liked by customers at the market. He had a girlfriend, and in his mind, their relationship was going to last forever. However, things started to take a turn when his girlfriend broke up with him. This caused a deep emotional decline in Javier, who had believed she was the love of his life. Heartbroken, he became fixated on the idea of getting her back, and he became increasingly desperate to find a way to win her back. It was during this period of emotional turmoil that someone
Starting point is 06:40:23 recommended he visit a local esoteric store called Chango. The shop was known for providing solutions to people's problems through rituals, whether they were related to money, work, or love. People claimed that if you visited Chango and followed the rituals, your problems could be solved. Javier, in his desperation, decided to try it. Chango was owned by a man named Carlos Asvaldo Belo Nunez, a 46-year-old Cuban who had come to Spain, five years earlier. Carlos's arrival in Spain was tied to an unusual story involving the Carrillo family, who had sought his help with some esoteric issues. Apparently, the Carrillos were experiencing strange occurrences at home, bad energies, ghosts, or something else they couldn't explain.
Starting point is 06:41:05 They called in a woman to cleanse the house, but she claimed she wasn't capable of handling the situation and suggested they bring her husband, Carlos, over from Cuba, to perform the ritual. Carlos arrived in Spain, and the supposed one-week ritual turned into three years of living with the Carrillo family. After a few years, Carlos' wife, Maria, had the idea to open an esoteric shop in the heart of Paneda-Damar, where they would sell spiritual products and perform rituals. The shop was named Chango, after the Ori Shah of Justice, Thunder, and Lightning. It was well decorated and spacious, with a total of 30 square meters split into three rooms. The main room was for customers, there was a small bathroom.
Starting point is 06:41:44 and a storage room that also served as a changing room. While the business seemed to be thriving, there were strange things going on behind the scenes. Carlos and another man, Marcos Carrillo Lopez, one of Maria's sons, seemed to have some sort of romantic involvement, though this would later become a source of tension. Javier, unaware of the darker side of Chango, was drawn in by the promises of Carlos, who claimed he could help him regain his lost love through his powerful rituals. Javier began visiting the shop more and more often. What started as a casual visit once in a while soon escalated to him spending several days a week at Chango, and eventually, entire weeks living there.
Starting point is 06:42:22 His physical appearance also began to change, he stopped shaving and grew a long, unkempt beard, and he started wearing a bandana on his head. He became less responsive to his family's attempts to contact him, often making excuses like his phone being off or out of battery. By May 2006, Javier had been living at Chango for two months, continuing to work with his father at the fruit stand during the day but spending his nights at the store. One day, he approached his father and asked for two weeks off, something he had never done before. Francisco, surprised by the request, initially refused. Javier, however, insisted that it was important because Carlos's mother was coming from Cuba to visit, and he would be showing her around Barcelona. After some persuasion, Francisco agreed to let him take the time off. On the evening of Sunday, May 14, 2006,
Starting point is 06:43:10 Francisco and his wife were out celebrating their wedding anniversary with friends. Around 10 p.m., Francisco's phone rang. It was Javier, calling to wish them well and asking about their celebration. He told his father that he was in Madrid with Carlos and some friends, and he promised to return home the following day. In the background, Francisco could hear music and chatter, and it seemed like a typical, carefree conversation. They hung up, and Francisco didn't think much of it, assuming Javier would be home soon.
Starting point is 06:43:39 However, when Tuesday, May 16th, arrived and Javier still hadn't come home, Francisco began to worry. His calls to Javier went unanswered, and that's when he decided to take matters into his own hands. He went to Chango, but the shop was closed, and no one answered the door. Francisco, growing increasingly concerned, started asking around town. People told him they had seen Javier in Paneda-Damar on the very same Sunday, May 14, the day he supposedly called for Madrid. The story didn't add up. How could he have been in Paneda if he was supposed to be in Madrid? This prompted Francisco to seek answers from the Carrillo family. He knew the Carrillos had a boat docked in a nearby harbor in Aronis Tamar, so the next morning, he went
Starting point is 06:44:23 there to ask them questions. When he arrived, he found the father of Marcos Carrillo and immediately began questioning him about Javier's whereabouts. The man claimed he didn't have his phone with him but said it was on the boat. Francisco was skeptical, but the man insisted he could call his son, Marcos, to ask if he knew anything about Javier. To Francisco's surprise, the man pulled out his phone from his pocket and made the call right then and there. Marcos answered and denied knowing anything about Javier. Francisco didn't believe him and became more suspicious. Francisco then went to the Carrillo family's house to confront them further.
Starting point is 06:44:59 When he arrived, he found Marcos in a distressing state. He was covered in scratches and had a shaved head, with a cast on one of his fingers. When Francisco asked him what had happened, Marcos explained that he had fallen on some rocks in the nearby stream. But Francisco wasn't convinced and pressed him for more details. After some insistence, Marcos' story began to change. He claimed that Carlos' mother had died, and in a fit of grief, Carlos had tried to commit suicide by hanging himself. Marcos said he had tried to stop him, but during the struggle, he got injured. This explanation didn't sit well with Francisco, who now feared that Marcos and the Carrillo
Starting point is 06:45:36 family were hiding something. Francisco continued to search for answers, and his suspicions only deepened when he found out that Marcos and Carlos had gone to Barcelona together after the supposed suicide attempt and bought new clothes, went to a sauna, and spent the night together in a strange sequence of events. A few days later, Francisco went to the police, where he discovered that the Carrillo family had reported Javier as missing. This report struck Francisco as odd because Marcos was the last person to see Javier, yet he had given numerous conflicting accounts of what had happened. Marcos changed his story multiple times, claiming different versions of events, which only added to the mystery. The family's involvement in the disappearance,
Starting point is 06:46:16 combined with the bizarre and inconsistent stories they told, made Francisco believe they knew more than they were letting on. And the more he uncovered, the more it seemed like a dark and sinister web was being spun around the disappearance of his son. The case of Javier Galera remains a chilling mystery, one that has haunted the town of Pineda de Marr for years. despite numerous investigations and theories, the truth of what happened to Javier still eludes his family and the authorities. The strange connection between the Carrillo family, the esoteric shop, and the disappearance continues to raise questions, but answers have remained frustratingly out of reach. I didn't want to open the door. I didn't want to face it.
Starting point is 06:46:54 And so, I slammed it shut on the cops and tried to push them away as quickly as I could. But then the autopsy results arrived, and they changed everything. Those results revealed that the cause of the girl's death was indeed the fall, but there was no way Elena had jumped voluntarily. The agents already suspected something sinister, and now it was confirmed. Her body showed significant amounts of benzodiazepine, the same sleeping drug found in the peach juice she drank. But this time, the amount in her system was outrageous.
Starting point is 06:47:24 To be specific, it was 35 times the recommended dosage. Her body had already started to metabolize and expel it, meaning the drugging and her death happened on the very day she disappeared, Friday, November 30th. And that wasn't all. A whitish liquid, suspected to be a lubricant, was found in her private areas, raising even more questions. Her ankles bore strange marks, at first assumed to be from ropes, but later identified as sock imprints. None of it made sense, and everything about it was deeply disturbing.
Starting point is 06:47:55 So, the police formulated a theory, Elena was abducted, drugged, and kept hidden until the early hours of Sunday, December 2nd. Sometime between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m., someone took her to the rooftop, stripped her, burned her underwear, and pushed her over the edge. Whoever was responsible for her death tried to make it look like an accident, but the motive remained a complete mystery. Elena had no apparent enemies. She was kind, friendly, and got along with just about everyone.
Starting point is 06:48:23 In search of answers, the police turned to those closest to her, including her best friend, Isabel. Isabel provided a list of people Elena might have spent time with while at the WES, a student community group. Five names stood out, John Sonley, Chavi Jimenez, Anna Cheegg, Santiago La Iglesia, and his partner, Monsei Coreta. Montsei immediately piqued the investigator's interest because she lived in the exact apartment building where Elena's body had been found. While Anna had a solid alibi, it turned out she'd had a falling out with Elena during the summer. Apparently, Anna had been romantically interested in Elena, but Elena rejected her advances. This rejection led to tension between them, cooling their once-close friendship.
Starting point is 06:49:05 Then there were Jom and Chavi, who couldn't keep their stories straight. Chavi claimed they met on the afternoon of November 30th at the West and went out for drinks together. Jom, however, said he was in Barcelona with other friends that same day. To resolve the contradiction, the police forced them into a face-to-face confrontation. Strangely enough, they came out of it with matching stories, they were together, drinking, and backed each other up completely. Critics later argued that this tactic only gave the men a chance to align their alibis.
Starting point is 06:49:35 Next up were Monsei Coretta and Santiago Lae Glaccia. Monsei, a schoolteacher, claimed she had been working on November 30th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and then again from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. However, she quickly backtracked, saying she wasn't sure if she worked that Friday or the previous one. Eventually, she settled on the idea that she'd skipped work on November 30th. She said she spent the entire afternoon with Santiago, attending a soccer match and then spending the night at her third floor apartment. On Saturday, they reportedly went on an impromptu excursion with the West Group. Monsei said she felt unwell during the outing, so they returned home early. When Santiago gave his statement, he echoed much of Mons's
Starting point is 06:50:17 account, except for one glaring omission, he didn't mention the soccer match. Instead, he said they had spent the night at his parents' house. The next morning, Santiago returned to the station to correct his statement, this time mentioning the soccer match and adjusting his timeline to match Mons exactly. Some saw this as suspicious, while others chalked it up to an honest mistake. The relationship between Monsei and Santiago was, unconventional, to say the least. Monsei, described as insecure and self-conscious, had struggled with self-esteem issues for years due to childhood back problems.
Starting point is 06:50:51 She reportedly viewed herself as a Plain Jane, while Santiago, her first love, became the center of her world. Their dynamic was imbalanced, with Santiago seemingly calling all the shots. In early 2001, they briefly broke up but soon reconciled, agreeing to attend therapy together. Santiago persuaded Monsei to try his therapist, someone he'd been seeing for years. By November of that year, Monsei had taken significant steps to integrate Santiago into her life. even asking her landlord to add his name to her lease and buying new furniture, including a wardrobe with a tie rack. Although Santiago practically lived with her, official paperwork to make it
Starting point is 06:51:29 permanent was never finalized. Neighbors confirmed his frequent presence at Mont's apartment, but despite these ties, the police hesitated to act on this information immediately. Instead, they focused on the anonymous letters Elena had received. Experts analyzed the handwriting on the two notes and determined that while the first was written by a single person, the second had two contributors. Surprisingly, the writing in both letters bore striking similarities to Mont's handwriting. In the second letter, the handwriting matched both Moncei and Anna Cheek. Armed with this information, the police zeroed in on Moncei.
Starting point is 06:52:03 Her connection to the third-floor apartment, her lack of cooperation with the investigation, and the proximity of Elena's body to her home painted a troubling picture. Two months after Elena's death, Montsei Coretta was arrested and sent to jail without bail. Six hours later, officers searched her apartment and found several items of interest. Among them were matches resembling those found on the rooftop, though the originals had mysteriously gone missing, making comparisons impossible. They also found a nearly empty box of noctamid, a powerful sedative composed largely of benzodiazepine. The number of pills missing from the box matched the amount found in Elena's system.
Starting point is 06:52:40 But here's where things get weird. If Monsei had really committed such a crime, why would she leave such incriminating evidence in plain sight for two whole months. It didn't make sense. Monsei was intelligent and well-educated. Wouldn't she have destroyed any evidence that tied her to the crime? Moreover, it seemed implausible for Monsei to have acted alone. She had severe back problems and lacked the physical strength to carry Elena's body up
Starting point is 06:53:06 20 flights of stairs. Someone else had to have been involved, either as a co-conspirator or as the true perpetrator setting Monsei up as the fall guy. The working theory was this, on November 30th. Elena drove to Kara Estreya No. 48 and parked nearby. She went to the third-floor apartment, where someone drugged her and kept her sedated all weekend. In the early hours of December 2nd, Elena was taken to the rooftop, stripped, and thrown over the edge. But who else was involved?
Starting point is 06:53:34 And why? The police believed Monsei knew something held her in custody, hoping she'd confess or reveal critical details. But Monsei remained steadfast, insisting on her innocence. Santiago hired a top criminal defense lawyer for Moncei, but she refused to speak directly with him. Instead, Santiago acted as a go-between, collecting information from Montseille and relaying it to the lawyer. This behavior, coupled with Santiago's dominating presence during prison visits, raised eyebrows. He often monopolized her limited visiting hours, leaving little time for her family to see her. Some relatives found his action suspicious, wondering if he was deliberately preventing Monsay from speaking freely.
Starting point is 06:54:15 Meanwhile, Anna Cheeg was also temporarily imprisoned as Mons's cellmate. Authorities hoped their shared confinement might elicit a confession, but instead, it deepened Mont's sense of isolation and despair. Feeling alone and misunderstood, Monsay began keeping a journal. In it, she wrote two farewell letters, reiterating her innocence and bidding goodbye to her loved ones. On the same day her brother had taken his own life years earlier, Monsei hanged herself in her prison cell. Her death shook everyone involved in the case. The judge declared the case closed due to
Starting point is 06:54:47 lack of evidence, and for years, it remained unsolved. In 2003, new handwriting analyses confirmed that Monsay had written both anonymous letters. In 2004, Elena's family published a book in her honor, compiling her stories under the title The Crystals of the Northern Lands and Other Tales. By 2005, both Elena's and Mons' families were pushing for the case to be reopened. They couldn't accept that such a tragic and mysterious case had gone unresolved. Elena's family sought justice, while Montz's family wanted to clear her name, convinced she had been framed. In 2020, a breakthrough came when the TV3 program Crim's aired an extensive investigation into the case. The broadcast presented new evidence, testimonies, and images,
Starting point is 06:55:30 re-igniting public interest. Viewers flooded the show and the families with tips, offering new leads and potential evidence. Spurred by this outpouring of information, Elena's family launched a crowdfunding campaign to cover legal expenses. They aimed to raise 9,000 euros but surpassed that goal with overwhelming support. On June 5, 2020, the case was officially reopened.
Starting point is 06:55:53 Now, as we wait for the next chapter to unfold, the question remains, will justice finally be served? What do you think happened, and do you believe the truth will come to light? The unfolding mystery of J, web of lies, manipulation, and courageous escapes. In the comment section of Sarah Dumas' YouTube channel, the chatter was endless. People claimed they had met Jay.
Starting point is 06:56:15 Some were certain they knew him, while others shared chillingly similar encounters with a man who introduced himself under various names. He always carried a tale of woe, he was injured, grappling with severe problems, or a wealthy individual momentarily short on cash. The core narrative in each story was consistent. Sarah was compelled to create a follow-up video, and soon, Soon, the number of responses exploded. A shocking scene in New Jersey, it all started on February 7, 2023.
Starting point is 06:56:44 Employees at a gas station in New Jersey witnessed an utterly bizarre spectacle. Loud screams pierced the air. Looking outside, they saw a man chasing a barefoot woman, his voice a blend of anger and desperation. The woman, clearly terrified, made her way to a station attendant, pleading for help. Through sobs, she managed to say that the man had kidnapped her and she urgently needed the police. The employees acted quickly. They ushered her inside, locked the door, and dialed 911. The man, meanwhile, circled the building, searching for any way to confront
Starting point is 06:57:17 his victim. Unable to find one, he eventually left, peddling away on a bicycle. When the police arrived, they found the woman visibly shaken, covered in bruises and bearing clear strangulation marks. Between fits of hysteria, she relayed her harrowing tail. Her captor, she said, was named Brad Parker. They had met a year ago at a gas station in New Mexico. Brad had seemed charming and likable, asking for a ride to Arizona. Feeling sympathetic, she agreed. What started as an amiable journey turned into a nightmare. Brad's charm faded quickly, within a month, he had assaulted her and taken complete control of her life. He stripped her of her identity, confiscating her ID, phone, money, and credit cards. Completely isolated and devoid of resources, she was
Starting point is 06:58:05 at his mercy. They traveled the country for months, finally settling in a small boarding house in Bass River Township, New Jersey. Life in captivity, their rented room was little more than a cramped space with a single bed. Brad controlled every aspect of her existence, keeping her confined and under constant surveillance. On rare occasions, he would allow her brief outings, shopping trips or short walks, but he was always by her side. Despite his oppressive control, these small windows of freedom gave her hope. One day, day, during a trip to a nearby gas station, she seized her chance and bolted. Cameras captured the dramatic moment she sprinted barefoot to safety.
Starting point is 06:58:44 The arrest and revelations, the police wasted no time. They tracked Brad to the boarding house, arrested him, and brought him in for questioning. However, as they delved into his records, they discovered his Real identity was not Brad Parker but James William Perillo Jr., a 57-year-old with a long and sinister history. As his mugshot circulated in the media, a flood of tip, poured in. People claimed to have seen him before, interacted with him, or, alarmingly, been victimized by him. The tale of Kira Moon, the story of Kira Moon was one of resilience and heartbreak. Kira, a woman who had faced numerous challenges, was on a journey to reclaim
Starting point is 06:59:22 her life. After a back injury left her wheelchair bound, she defied the odds and began to walk again. By 2018, she had set her sights on an ambitious goal, hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. Though her loved ones were skeptical of her readiness, Kira was determined. Early in her trek, she met a man who introduced himself as J. Sorillo, also known as Medic. He claimed to be a retired Navy SEAL and former Greenpeace diver, with a fortune tied up in a property sale. He also spun a tragic story about a hiking accident that had left him with debilitating injuries. Jay ingratiated himself with Kira and her hiking group, offering support and companionship. Before long, Kira and Jay grew close, and he became her hiking partner.
Starting point is 07:00:06 However, his true nature began to surface. After Kira shared a photo of them online, he erupted in anger, accusing her of endangering his life. He claimed he was being hunted by both the military and the media for reasons he couldn't disclose. Manipulated by his elaborate lies, Kira complied with his demands to erase her digital presence. Isolated from her hiking group, Kira became entirely dependent on J.
Starting point is 07:00:29 Over time, he took her phone, wallet, and other belongings, leaving her trapped. Witnesses noted that Jay introduced Kira as his wife, perpetuating a facade of normalcy while secretly controlling and abusing her. Eventually, Kira escaped during a shopping trip, running to a nearby urgent care clinic. She reported her ordeal, leading to Jay's arrest. However, to the family's dismay, he was released after just 17 days. Kira spent the rest of her life grappling with the trauma, passing away in 2019 without seeing justice served. A pattern emerges, Sarah Dumas YouTube videos brought renewed attention to James Perillo's
Starting point is 07:01:08 trail of deception. Comments flooded in from viewers who had encountered him, each with a different but eerily similar story. He had masqueraded as a wealthy philanthropist, a cancer survivor, or a grieving widower, always playing on people's empathy. His ultimate goal, it seemed, was control. Further investigations revealed that Perillo's criminal record stretched back decades. One of his earliest documented crimes occurred in 1994 when he hijacked a yacht, holding eight people hostage. Despite his violent behavior, he managed to avoid long-term consequences. Over the years, he employed countless aliases, each tied to a new victim and a new set of lies. Valerie Irick's tragic encounter. In 1993, Valerie Irick, a single mother working at a truck stop, encountered a man calling
Starting point is 07:01:55 himself Anthony Angelo DeCampo. Pretending to be deaf and mute, he wrote her notes explaining that he was a Gulf War veteran stranded due to car trouble. Valerie took pity on him and invited him into her home. Anthony's charm quickly gave way to manipulation. He convinced Valerie that he was fleeing the mafia and needed her help to stay safe. Over time, his lies escalated, isolating Valerie from her family. He subjected her to physical and psychological abuse, leaving her emotionally shattered.
Starting point is 07:02:23 Although Valerie eventually escaped and shared her story publicly, Anthony, later identified as James Perillo, faced no repercussions for his actions. The legacy of trauma, Valerie's fight for justice, Valerie Irix's encounter with James Perillo didn't end when she escaped his clutches. After regaining her freedom, she became determined to ensure no one else would fall victim to his schemes. Her first step was to piece together his web of deceit. Using old notes, emails, and photographs, she began tracking his movements and aliases. Her story gained traction in her local community, drawing the attention of investigative journalists who wanted to delve deeper into Perillo's sordid history. Valerie spoke out in interviews and participated in documentaries, bravely sharing her ordeal.
Starting point is 07:03:09 Each recounting was a gut-wrenching exercise, forcing her to relive the pain he had inflicted. But Valerie refused to be silenced, believing that publicizing his methods could save lives. Her efforts paid off when other victims came forward, their stories adding more pieces to the puzzle of James Perillo's crimes. A network of survivors, by mid-2023, a growing number of people, primarily women, began to connect through online forums and support groups, sharing eerily similar experiences. These survivors formed the grassroots movement aimed at spreading awareness about con artists and abusers like Perillo. Many of the women described being initially captivated by his charisma and the elaborate stories he spun to gain. their trust. The survivors noted a consistent modus operandi, Carrillo targeted individuals during vulnerable moments. Whether it was a woman hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, a single
Starting point is 07:03:59 mother at a truck stop, or someone stranded at a gas station, he would exploit their kindness and empathy. Over time, he would isolate his victims, stripping them of their autonomy before turning violent. Through their collective efforts, these survivors gathered evidence and shared tips with law enforcement agencies across the United States. This collaboration was in instrumental in linking several unresolved cases to Perillo and ensuring his victim's voices were heard. The hidden trail, more victims surface, law enforcement soon uncovered a staggering number of aliases used by Perillo, each tied to new regions and fresh crimes. Among these cases was a particularly chilling account from 2015 involving a woman named Elena Rodriguez.
Starting point is 07:04:40 Elena, an artist from Colorado, met Perillo, then using the name, Stephen Blake, at an art exhibit. He claimed to be a philanthropist with a passion for supporting emerging talent. Elena, captivated by his apparent generosity and shared love for art, allowed him into her world. Stephen offered to sponsor her gallery debut, promising substantial financial backing. As they spent more time together, he suddenly began to control her decisions, dictating the direction of her work and alienating her from friends and family. When Elena finally discovered his deceit, it was too late. He had drained her savings account, stolen her most of the same.
Starting point is 07:05:15 valuable artwork, and disappeared without a trace. Devastated, she reported the crime to the authorities, but without solid leads, her case remained unresolved for years, until Perillo's arrest in 2023 reignited the investigation. The role of technology, social media, takes charge. The case against James Perillo gained unprecedented momentum when tech-savvy individuals joined the cause. Amateur detectives, true crime enthusiasts, and cybersecurity experts collaborated to map his movements over the decades. They used social media platforms, old photo archives, and geo-tagged content to trace his patterns. One breakthrough came when a former victim uploaded a grainy photograph of Perillo from 2007 to a popular online forum. The post went viral,
Starting point is 07:06:00 with thousands of users analyzing the image and comparing it to known aliases. Within days, someone identified a location, a small town in Montana, where Perillo had reportedly lived under the name, Jack Merrill. This digital trail revealed more of Perillo's victims, who hadn't connected their experiences to his crimes until now. The evidence became a treasure trove for law enforcement, solidifying the case against him. An international pursuit, connections beyond the U.S. While Perillo's crimes were primarily documented within the United States, a deeper investigation revealed an international dimension. Reports emerged from Canada, Mexico, and even parts of Europe, describing encounters with a man matching his description. In 2001, a woman named Clara Du Bois
Starting point is 07:06:44 from France recounted meeting a charming American tourist named Rick. Like many others, Clara was drawn in by his adventurous stories and humanitarian claims. After a brief relationship, Rick disappeared, taking valuable family heirlooms with him. Interpol became involved, issuing warnings to law enforcement agencies worldwide. As Perillo's reputation spread, his image became a symbol of caution against predators who thrive on manipulation and deceit. The legal system fights back. The sheer scope of James Perillo's crimes presented a challenge for prosecutors. His ability to evade justice for decades had left many victims disillusioned with the legal
Starting point is 07:07:21 system. However, public pressure and extensive media coverage ensured this time would be different. Prosecutors worked tirelessly to consolidate charges from across the country. Perillo was indicted on counts ranging from kidnapping and assault to fraud and identity theft. His trial became one of the most watched cases of the decade, a sobering reminder of the damage a single individual could inflict when allowed to operate unchecked. Hope for healing, survivors reclaimed their lives. For many of Perillo's victims, his arrest marked the beginning of a long journey toward healing. Support groups flourished, offering safe spaces for survivors to
Starting point is 07:07:57 share their experiences and rebuild their lives. Organizations dedicated to combating coercive control and emotional abuse saw increased funding and public interest, leading to greater awareness and prevention efforts. Kira Moon's family launched a foundation in her memory, focusing on supporting survivors of domestic abuse and educating the public about red flags in relationships. Valerie Irick continued her advocacy work, becoming a keynote speaker at national conferences on victim empowerment. Her resilience inspired countless others to reclaim their strength and seek justice.
Starting point is 07:08:29 The final verdict, Justice delivered, in the summer of 2020. James Perillo faced a jury that heard weeks of harrowing testimony from his victims. Each account painted a vivid picture of his calculated cruelty and unrelenting manipulation. After deliberating for just three hours, the jury returned a unanimous verdict, guilty on all counts. Perillo was sentenced to multiple life terms without the possibility of parole. For his victims, the verdict was a long overdue acknowledgement of their suffering and a testament to their courage in coming forward. A legacy of awareness. The story of James, Perillo serves as a cautionary tale, but it also highlights the power of resilience and community.
Starting point is 07:09:08 Thanks to the bravery of his survivors, his decades-long spree of manipulation and violence was finally brought to an end. Their courage has inspired broader conversations about coercion, abuse, and the importance of vigilance in a world where predators can so easily hide in plain sight. On Monday, September 17, 2001, Elena spent her day doing what many of us do on a lazy day at home, answering emails, picking up the phone when it rang, and tidying up the house. It was just another typical day, nothing particularly unusual, until she decided to step out the door. That's when things got strange. Right at her doorstep, waiting like some sort of surprise gift, was a bottle of horchata, a few pastries, and a note. The note said,
Starting point is 07:09:50 Elena, surprise. We stopped by and thought, let's see how Elena's doing. We'll call you soon to devour everything together. It wasn't signed. No name, no hint of who we were, just a mystery. The note was odd enough, but what really struck Elena was the horchata. She loved horchata. Whoever had left the gift knew that about her. The whole situation was bizarre, but Elena shrugged it off, figuring it was a harmless prank or some strange joke from someone she knew. But this wasn't the end of it. Fast forward to October 9th. Elena was at home again, caught up in her usual routine, and guess what? Another gift appeared at her doorstep. This time, it was a peach juice, a specific brand, Gran Iney, and another note. This one read,
Starting point is 07:10:37 Elena, we hope you take this with the same sense of humor we have. The third time around, the mystery will be revealed, and we'll all have a good laugh. Looking forward to seeing you again on a Wes hike. We'll talk about finding a nice spot in Sabovel to practice English. Enjoy, and don't leave us hanging. time, it's your turn to treat us. Kisses. Now, this was oddly specific. They mentioned WES, short for Union Excursionista de Sabovel, a hiking group Elena had recently joined. It seemed like the note was from someone within the group. But there were details that felt, off. For starters, people in the group didn't usually refer to it as WES. They'd say, Natura, Spileo, or Sendero,
Starting point is 07:11:22 based on the activities they did. And yet, whoever this was new, her favorite juice brand. That wasn't the kind of thing casual acquaintances just happened to know. Still, Elena took the juice to work with her at the library in Santmanat. She shared the story with her co-worker, Katie, and later opened the juice to take a sip. It didn't take long for her to realize something was wrong. Really wrong. Elena started feeling unwell almost immediately after taking a sip of the juice. It wasn't just a mild discomfort, she felt her body growing heavy, her strength draining fast. The sensation was so intense that she couldn't even stand properly. Something was definitely wrong. She turned to Katie,
Starting point is 07:12:04 her coworker, and muttered that she thought there was something off about the juice. She even mentioned wanting to have it tested. Katie thought it was strange, after all, if something tasted off, most people would just throw it away. But Elena was adamant. She felt so bad that Katie eventually told her to go home and rest. The problem was, Elena couldn't even drive. She had to call some friends for help. When they arrived, they found her in such a state that they had to practically carry her to their car. She looked pale, exhausted, barely able to keep her eyes open. As they drove her to their house in Santfelu de Codines, she passed out halfway through the journey. When they finally got her inside, Elena was so weak that she couldn't
Starting point is 07:12:46 even hold a cup of tea they made for her. The mug slipped from her hands. It was obvious she was in no condition to be left alone, so her friends let her sleep on their couch. The next morning, when she woke up, Elena was completely disoriented. She didn't remember how she'd ended up there. Her friends were alarmed. They knew something wasn't right, but Elena didn't want to tell her family what had happened. She did, however, confide in her best friend, Isabel. Together, they talked about the odd gifts, the notes, and now this terrifying incident with the juice. Elena was convinced, someone was trying to harm her. To confirm her suspicions, she sent the juice to a lab for testing. The results only deepened the mystery.
Starting point is 07:13:30 The juice had been laced with benzodiazepines, a powerful sedative. Someone had deliberately drugged her. This was no prank. A troubling suspect, Elena began looking closer at the people around her, trying to figure out who could have done this. One name came to mind, Chavi. Chavi was someone she'd met through the hiking group, Wes. At first, he seemed friendly. Maybe a little too friendly. He had developed a crush on her and had been very persistent about it. Despite her rejecting his advances, Chavi didn't seem to get the hint. He knew her likes and dislikes, her love for horchata, her favorite juice brand. It all fit. Could he have been behind the notes and the poison juice.
Starting point is 07:14:12 Elena couldn't be sure. And without concrete proof, she didn't want to accuse anyone. She decided to stay quiet, hoping the situation would resolve itself. But then, just a few weeks later, something happened that would change everything. The disappearance. On November 30, 2001, Elena's day started like any other. She worked from home, sending emails and making phone calls. Around 12.30 p.m., she left her apartment.
Starting point is 07:14:38 She left her notes neatly stacked on the dining table. Her jacket and scarf were draped over a chair. Everything in the apartment suggested she had planned to come back soon. But she didn't. She was supposed to be at work by 3 p.m., but she never showed up. Her boss tried calling her, but there was no answer. Elena wasn't the kind of person to just disappear without a word, but her boss figured there must be some explanation. The next day, December 1st, Elena had plans to have lunch with her father.
Starting point is 07:15:08 Joan. When she failed to show up, Joan grew worried. The following morning, Elena was supposed to meet her best friend, Isabel, for breakfast. Once again, she didn't appear. By this point, everyone in Elena's life was panicking. On December 2nd, Joan decided to drive to his daughter's apartment to check on her. Using his spare key, he let himself in. What he found inside was unsettling. Everything was exactly as Elena had left it. Her notes were still on the table. Her jacket and scarf were still on the chair. It was as if she had stepped out for a quick errand and never returned. Joan began calling everyone he could think of, her workplace, her friends, but no one had seen her.
Starting point is 07:15:52 Then, that same day, the police called with devastating news. A shocking discovery, early on the morning of December 2nd, a resident of an apartment building on Calvert D'Eastraya Street had heard a loud noise in the courtyard. Thinking it was nothing, he went back to sleep. But when he opened his blinds later that morning, he saw something that made his blood run cold, a woman's body lying motionless in the courtyard. The police arrived quickly and identified the body as elanus. She was naked, with no immediate signs of violence. At first glance, it appeared to be a suicide.
Starting point is 07:16:26 She had fallen, or jumped, from the rooftop. But things weren't adding up. For starters, parts of her hair and underwear were partially burned. Why would someone set fire to their hair before taking their own life? Second, the way she had fallen was strange. Most people who jump from a rooftop take a running start, which creates a forward trajectory. But Elena's body had fallen straight down, as if she had been dropped. Third, and perhaps most unsettling, her clothes were neatly folded in a corner of the rooftop.
Starting point is 07:16:57 Beside them were burned matches and a clump of her hair. If this was suicide, it was an incredibly bizarre one. The police went door to door in the apartment building, questioning residents. Most were cooperative, but one tenant, the woman in the third-floor apartment, refused to talk. She wouldn't even open her door, brushing off the police as quickly as possible. An unanswered mystery, the police investigation raised more questions than it answered. Who had left those strange gifts at Elena's door? Why had someone laced her juice with sedatives?
Starting point is 07:17:29 And how did she end up on that rooftop, stripped of her clothes and burned in such a peculiar manner? One theory was that Elena had been lured to the building by someone she knew. Maybe she had trusted them enough to go with them voluntarily. But why? The condition of her body suggested she might have been unconscious when she fell. Could the same person who drugged her Jews have been involved in her death? Her family and friends were left heartbroken and confused. Elena had been full of life, with big dreams of becoming a writer.
Starting point is 07:17:58 She loved her job at the library, adored nature, and had recently been exploring new friendships through the hiking group. Nothing about her life suggested she was planning to end it. Legacy and speculation. To this day, Elena's case remains shrouded in mystery. Was it a tragic suicide, or was someone else involved? The eerie notes, the poison juice, and the strange circumstances of her death have left many convinced there was foul play.
Starting point is 07:18:23 Elena's story serves as a chilling reminder of how quickly a seemingly ordinary life can unravel. Her dreams of becoming a writer and her love for life were cut short, leaving the those who knew her with more questions than answers. And as for the person, or people, who were behind those strange notes and gifts, they've never been identified. Elena's friends and family continued to remember her as a kind, intelligent, and passionate person who deserved so much more. It all began on what seemed like an ordinary day, but things quickly spiraled into a series of events that no one could have predicted. Al Jaisa grabbed her things, already feeling a sense of unease, and headed to the crossroads.
Starting point is 07:19:01 She asked everyone she could find if they'd seen her daughter. She even went to the nearby gas station and convinced the employees to let her view the surveillance footage. But despite her efforts, there was no sign of Marlon, Emily, or even the supposed white motorcycle Marlon had mentioned. The truth was clear, Emily Pagero had never been there. Marlon's story didn't add up. He was lying. The life of Emily Pagero, to understand the gravity of this situation, let's rewind. Emily Del Carmen Pagero Polanco was born on June 12, 2001, the youngest of three children
Starting point is 07:19:35 in the humble but hardworking family of Gennaro Pagero and Al Jaisa Polanco. Despite not being wealthy, the family always managed to provide a loving and supportive environment for their kids. Emily was a vibrant and ambitious girl, full of dreams. Her family often shared heartwarming anecdotes about her. Her aunt Lilliana fondly remembered the sunny day Emily was born, noting how she'd inherited her mother's dimples. Emily loved so many things, the color fuchsia, cooking, basketball, dancing, and especially the traditional Dominican dance, Mangolina. She adored getting dressed up in
Starting point is 07:20:10 colorful traditional outfits and giving it her all on the dance floor. At just 16, Emily had big dreams. She wanted to sing, model, or become a flight attendant. Some days, she even talked about studying tourism or law to defend human rights. While she hadn't settled on one career path, she knew she wanted to achieve something extraordinary. She was responsible, charismatic, and determined, a combination of traits that seemed destined to take her far. The neighborhood, the Pagero family lived in Zanobi, a semi-rural area in the San Francisco de Macquaris province. The neighborhood was a mix of humble homes and more luxurious residences, creating a stark contrast. Despite these differences, the neighbors generally got along well, fostering a sense of
Starting point is 07:20:53 community. This harmony was disrupted when a wealthy family, the Martinez clan, moved into the house directly across from the Pageros. The Martinez family, consisting of Marlon Martinez, her partner Roberto, and their three children, were well off and had a complex past. Marlon had previously been married and lived in the United States for several years before divorcing and returning to the Dominican Republic with her kids. Marlon quickly rebuilt her life, marrying Roberto and buying the property opposite the Pageros. Outwardly, they appeared to be a respectable family, with the kids attending private schools. However, Marlon was the most notable member of the family.
Starting point is 07:21:32 She was a politically active woman, serving as a congresswoman until 2016 and later becoming the deputy director of the Migration and Passport Department. With her influential connections and demanding career, Marlon was constantly on the move, often leaving her children in the care of the Pagero family. The families grow close. Over time, the children of both families grew close. The Pageros treated the Martinez kids like their own, sharing meals and looking after them without expecting anything in return.
Starting point is 07:21:59 However, Janaro Pagero was wary of Marlon. Despite the friendly relationship between the families, he'd seen a different side of her. Once, he accompanied her as a bodyguard and noticed how much effort she put into maintaining a polished image for the public. To him, her charitable actions seemed insincere, more about gaining votes than genuinely helping others. Young love, despite these reservations, the two families continued their interactions, and the children's bond deepened over the years. Eventually, Emily and Marlon, the oldest Martinez son, fell in love. At 19, Marlon was three years older than 16-year-old Emily.
Starting point is 07:22:37 Janaro was not thrilled about the relationship, fearing Marlon wouldn't approve. With her wealth and social standing, he suspected she'd see Emily as unworthy of her son. The events of August 19, On Saturday, August 19th, 2017, something unusual happened. Al Jaisa woke up early to help clean and prepare at the church. With no classes that day, Emily stayed home, sleeping in. But then the doorbell rang. Emily's brother, ladies, answered the door and found Marlon Martinez standing there. She said she wanted to take Emily to visit her grandmother.
Starting point is 07:23:13 Ladies called Emily, who got ready and left with Marlon. But instead of going to her grandmother's house, Marlon took Emily to the home of Maria Bolvina Rodriguez Santos, also known as Liberata, her domestic worker. Liberata also ran a small hair salon in her house. Marlon and Emily went straight to the bathroom. Liberata, used to following orders without question, didn't interfere. In that bathroom, Marlon reportedly forced Emily to take a pregnancy test. The result was positive. With this revelation, they returned to the Pagero home, where Marlon spoke privately with Al Jaisa. She promised to support Emily and the baby, assuring Al Jaisa that Marlon would step up as a father.
Starting point is 07:23:54 Al Jaisa, shocked by the news, agreed to discuss things further with her daughter. At five months pregnant, abortion was no longer an option. The following Monday, Emily and her mother visited the doctor and scheduled blood tests for the next day. Everything seemed calm, and Emily even chose a name for her unborn son, Jacob Moises. The disappearance, on August 23rd, Emily left home around 18. 30 a.m., telling her mother she'd return soon. She had plans to attend class, but first needed to run some errands with Marlon. Hours passed, and only Marlon returned. He told Al Jaisa that they'd gone to pick up medical results, which made no sense because the doctor
Starting point is 07:24:33 had explicitly said the results wouldn't be ready until August 25th. Marlon claimed Emily had asked to be dropped off at the crossroads near a gas station to meet an uncle with a white motorcycle. He even said she texted her sister ladies to confirm she was fine. But the text was suspiciously unlike Emily's usual messages, riddled with errors. Emily, who always used proper grammar and preferred voice notes, wouldn't have written something like that. Al-GiSA rushed to the crossroads, asking everyone if they'd seen her daughter. She reviewed the gas station's surveillance footage, but neither Emily nor Marlon appeared
Starting point is 07:25:07 on the tapes. The supposed white motorcycle was also nowhere to be found. The investigation begins, Desperate, Al Jaisa called Marlon and Marlin, but neither answered. Left with no choice, she contacted the police. The case immediately gained national attention, with headlines plastering Emily's photo everywhere. People rallied around the Pageros, forming search parties and demanding justice. The Martinez family's behavior during this time raised eyebrows. They quickly hired a lawyer, which many found suspicious.
Starting point is 07:25:39 By August 24, the public was convinced Marlon was involved in Emily's disappearance. That day, Marlon and Marlon gave a bizarre interview. Marlon's demeanor was cold and detached, as if you were reciting a rehearsed script. Marlon, on the other hand, frequently referred to Emily in the past tense, saying things like, she was my son's girlfriend, only to correct herself awkwardly. On August 25th, Marlon was arrested as a suspect and given three months of pretrial detention. The investigation had only just begun, but one thing was clear, the truth behind Emily's disappearance would shake the nation to its core.
Starting point is 07:26:14 Marlon was arrested as a suspect and given three months of preventive detention while the investigation unfolded. While Marlon remained in custody, the police focused on two main objectives. First, they searched several properties owned by Marlon Martinez, as they believed the missing teenager, Emily, might be hidden in one of them. Second, they worked to geolocate Emily's phone. On Monday, August 28, they got a lead. Emily's last phone connection had been traced to an apartment owned by Marlon Martinez.
Starting point is 07:26:44 This apartment wasn't rented out at the time. Some sources claim Marlon was temporarily living there due to a divorce, but others dispute this. Regardless, the important fact was that Emily's phone signal was last picked up there. The police had to investigate. When officers arrived, they conducted a thorough search. Two things caught their attention, a mattress with what appeared to be bloodstains and a washing machine containing two bloodstained towels. The police, seeking more evidence, turned to the building surveillance cameras. Unfortunately, or rather, suspiciously, the footage was missing. The following day, August 29, the building's maintenance worker, Kelvin Jimenez, was arrested.
Starting point is 07:27:25 Why? Kelvin had spoken publicly about seeing the footage before it vanished. He claimed the recordings showed Marlon entering the building with Emily but leaving alone, carrying what seemed to be a heavy sack. With no footage or additional witnesses, Kelvin's account was key, so the police brought him in for questioning. Kevin's story added shocking details. On the morning of August 23rd, he saw Marlon and Emily enter the building together.
Starting point is 07:27:50 Emily looked fine, even cheerful. Marlon was carrying a sack. Since the elevator was out of service, the pair climbed the stairs. Hours later, Kelvin noticed Marlon leaving, alone this time, and the sack now appeared full. Kelvin, alarmed by what he saw, didn't immediately call the police. Instead, he contacted Marlon Martinez. According to Kelvin, when Marlon arrived, she was visibly distressed. At this point, two conflicting versions of events emerge.
Starting point is 07:28:20 In one version, Marlon claimed the police had already taken the surveillance tapes, an outright lie. Kelvin, suspicious, checked the camera room himself and discovered the door had been tampered with. The second version suggests Marlon paid Kelvin to delete the footage, though evidence for this is scarce. Despite the discrepancies, the case was heating up. There were clear signs of blood in Marlon's apartment, a witness who claimed to have seen incriminating footage and mounting public pressure. Faced with the growing scrutiny, Marlon changed his story. He admitted to meeting Emily on August 23rd, claiming they had planned to visit the doctor.
Starting point is 07:28:56 However, Emily remembered on route that her test results wouldn't be ready until August 25th. They drove around, chatting, when Emily began feeling unwell, nauseous, with stomach pain and cold sweats. concerned, Marlon decided to take her to his mother's apartment, where she could rest. Upon arriving, they found the elevator out of order, so they climbed to the fourth floor. Emily's condition worsened, forcing them to stop frequently. Once inside, she laid down while Marlon fetched her a drink. When he returned, she was bleeding profusely. Panicking, he carried her to the bathroom, placed her in the tub, and watched helplessly as she bled to death.
Starting point is 07:29:33 Terrified and unsure of what to do, Marlon said he made a horrifying choice. He put Emily's body in the sack he'd brought and discarded it in a landfill. However, many doubted this version, suspecting a darker truth. The police launched a massive search at the landfill but found nothing. Instead, they uncovered the bodies of two other young women, aged around 18. The grim discovery sparked outrage across the Dominican Republic, with protests and media coverage amplifying calls for justice. On August 31st, Emily's brother, Starlin Pagero, received messages claiming her body had been found. Initially skeptical, he became convinced as the messages
Starting point is 07:30:12 poured in. Sure enough, Emily's remains were discovered 46 kilometers from San Francisco to McCorris, in a suitcase abandoned by the roadside. The scene was telling. The suitcase didn't appear to have been there long, perhaps only a few hours. Forensic experts confirmed it was Emily's body, and tragically, inside her womb were the remains of her unborn baby, Jacob Moises. The autopsy revealed chilling details. Emily had suffered significant trauma. Her uterus and vaginal canal showed signs of forceful perforation, consistent with an attempted abortion. Her head bore a blunt force injury, resulting in a skull fracture and brain hemorrhage. Numerous injuries across her body
Starting point is 07:30:52 indicated she had been violently assaulted before her death. The official cause of death was a combination of two fatal injuries, the head trauma and massive bleeding caused by the internal damage. Either injury alone could have been fatal. Following these findings, Marlon altered his account yet again. This time, he claimed that Emily's death was an accident during a botched abortion. He confessed to giving her an abortion pill, which she angrily rejected, leading to a heated argument. In the scuffle, Marlon said, he accidentally pushed her, causing her to hit her head and die. But forensic evidence debunked this story. The head injury wasn't consistent with a fall, it was caused by a deliberate blow. Moreover, the extensive violence documented in the
Starting point is 07:31:35 autopsy made it clear that Emily's death was no accident. Meanwhile, investigators realized someone had moved Emily's body after Marlon and his mother were arrested. This pointed to a third party assisting in the cover-up. As the investigation deepened, shocking revelations came to light. In the days leading up to Emily's disappearance, Marlon Martinez had allegedly taken an active role in coercing Emily into an abortion. Marlon's housekeeper, Liberata, provided crucial testimony. Liberata recalled Marlon picking up Emily under the pretense of running errands. Emily left her home dressed for the outing, not knowing she wouldn't return. Liberata also recounted the following day, August 24th, when Marlon summoned her to clean the
Starting point is 07:32:18 apartment. There, she noticed unusual details, a mop, typically used for cleaning, was missing, and bloodstained towels had been left in the washing machine. Marlin, acting nervously, asked Liberata to withdraw 100,000 Dominican pesos from her bank account. This money, it turned out, was intended for Simone Bolivar Urania, a farm manager known as El Boli, who later became a key figure in the case. When El Boli was arrested, he struck a deal with prosecutors and revealed everything he knew. According to him, Marlon had orchestrated a meeting at one of her properties on the night of August 23rd, attended by herself, her brother Henry, Marlon, and El Boli. At the meeting, Marlon explained her version of events, Marlon and Emily had argued,
Starting point is 07:33:01 and in the heat of the moment, Marlon had accidentally killed her. Fearing for her son's future, Marlon begged for their help in disposing of Emily's body. Initially, both Henry and El Boli resisted, urging Marlon to let justice take its course. But Marlon present, but Marlon present. argued that Marlon's life would be ruined, he had a scholarship and a bright future, and prison would destroy him. Reluctantly, they agreed to help. El Boli described how Emily's body was moved multiple times. Initially placed in Marlon's car, it was transferred to El Bolley's vehicle as they searched for someone willing to dispose of it. Despite their efforts, they found no takers. Eventually, they returned to Marlon's property, where the body remained
Starting point is 07:33:42 until it was later relocated to the roadside. Disturbingly, El Boli noted Marlon's calm demeanor throughout the ordeal. He even asked El Boli if he'd ever killed anyone, a question that struck him as chillingly casual under the circumstances. Further investigation revealed that Marlon had instructed El Boli to leave her property open for an unnamed individual who would take care of things. When the body was finally disposed of, El Boli was ordered to clean Marlon's car, a task he carried out at a local car wash.
Starting point is 07:34:11 employees there remembered the car reeking of a foul odor. As the case unfolded, public outrage reached a fever pitch. Protests erupted nationwide, demanding justice for Emily. In court, security measures were heightened to protect the accused from potential attacks. Marlon and Marlin faced relentless criticism, threats, and a media storm. In the end, both were convicted. Marlon received the maximum sentence of 30 years for murder, kidnapping, and aggravated homicide. Throughout the trial, he maintained his mother's innocence, refusing to implicate her.
Starting point is 07:34:46 Marlon, however, was found guilty of concealing a body in contributing to the corruption of a minor. She was sentenced to five years in prison, though she served only two before appealing her sentence. This case remains one of the most infamous in the Dominican Republic, sparking debates about justice, accountability, and the societal factors that led to such a tragedy. Do you think the sentences were fair? Share your thoughts. Why did David testify against Adam, and why did Adam want him dead? Adam Hall wasn't your average guy. He was deeply involved in a notorious gang with ties to the Hell's Angels, a group that
Starting point is 07:35:21 didn't exactly have the best reputation. Back in 1997, Adam was convicted of assault and battery with a firearm, a violent crime that should have been a wake-up call. And for a while, it seemed like it was. Adam kept a low profile for years, almost as if he'd left his criminal past behind. But in 2009, his name popped up again, though this time it wasn't for anything as dramatic. He had a few traffic violations that drew police attention back to him. The question on everyone's mind, especially law enforcement, was this,
Starting point is 07:35:52 how could a man like David Glasser, a stand-up guy, a hardworking and honest man, get tangled up with someone like Adam Hall, who was clearly bad news? It seemed like the two came from completely different worlds, and yet, their paths crossed in the most catastrophic way. David wasn't just a good guy, he was the kind of person who tried to avoid trouble at all costs. He made a living selling scrap metal, which is exactly how this whole mess began. One summer day in 2009, David stumbled across some cables and motor parts abandoned by the side of the road near some dumpsters. They were clearly trash, nobody was around, and it looked like someone had just dumped them there. Thinking it was fair game, David took the
Starting point is 07:36:32 items and sold them, just like he did with other scraps he found. Later that day, a potential buyer showed up, took one look at the cables and motor parts, and immediately accused David of stealing them. According to the guy, these weren't just random pieces of junk, they belonged to Adam Hall, who was restoring a car. David was taken aback. He swore he hadn't stolen anything and explained that he'd found the parts near the dumpsters. But the buyer wasn't having it.
Starting point is 07:36:59 Instead of sticking around, the man left and went straight to Adam with the story. Adam didn't waste any time checking the facts. Instead, he tracked down David and beat him so severely that David was lucky to survive. You'd think that would have been the end of it, but Adam wasn't done. He demanded that David give him his pickup truck as compensation, so Adam could sell it for parts. David flat out refused. Not one to take no for an answer, Adam doubled down. He gave David an ultimatum, hand over the truck within a week or face the consequences.
Starting point is 07:37:32 Oh, and one more thing, don't even think about going to the cops, or Adam would kill him. David, being the peaceful guy he was, didn't want any trouble. But this wasn't something he could handle on his own. He confided in his friends, telling them everything that had happened. Together, they went to the police to report Adam for intimidation, kidnapping, and assault. This was a big deal, and the police took action. When they arrested Adam, they found him in possession of drugs, adding drug charges to his growing rap sheet. Needless to say, Adam wasn't happy about this turn of events. From behind bars, he swore revenge against David.
Starting point is 07:38:09 On September 30th, 2009, Adam was released on bail while awaiting trial. His bail. A hefty $50,000. Adam knew that David was the key witness against him, and he was desperate to silence him before the trial. That's when Adam concocted a plan that sounded like something straight out of a movie. A plot worthy of Hollywood. First, Adam tried to frame David for stealing scrap masks. battle, but when that didn't stick, he came up with something even more elaborate.
Starting point is 07:38:37 He convinced his girlfriend to hire David as a taxi driver. The plan was simple, or so Adam thought. David would drive her to New York, where she would then go to the police and accuse him of kidnapping, assault, and sexual abuse. Meanwhile, an associate of Adams would show up at the drop-off location and fire some shots. Afterward, they'd plant the gun in David's car. The goal? To make David look like a dangerous criminal.
Starting point is 07:39:03 But Adam overlooked a crucial detail, the area where the plan unfolded was covered by surveillance cameras. The footage revealed what really happened, and once again, Adam found himself in custody. This time, his bail was set at $250,000. With no way to pay, Adam tried negotiating with the authorities. He offered to become an informant for the FBI, promising to infiltrate the Hells Angels and provide valuable intel. But the FBI wasn't interested.
Starting point is 07:39:31 With that plan foiled, Adam turned to the Hell's Angels for help. Unbelievably, they agreed to back him, setting the stage for even more chaos. A sinister discovery, fast forward to August 2011. About 20 kilometers from Pittsfield, in a small town called Beckett, a man named Daniel Cole was making renovations on his property. Daniel owned a large piece of land with a farm and several outbuildings. He'd hired a man named David Casey to help with the work, which involved using an excavator to dig and move dirt around.
Starting point is 07:40:02 But then Hurricane Irene hit, forcing the project to pause for a few days. On August 29, when Daniel returned to his property, he noticed something strange. The excavator was sitting in an area he hadn't asked David Casey to work on. The ground was disturbed, and things seemed out of place. Daniel confronted David, demanding to know what he'd been doing with the excavator. didn't have a clear explanation, and Daniel left for a family trip to Florida, thinking the issue was over. What Daniel didn't realize was that his property had become the burial site for something
Starting point is 07:40:35 horrifying. Shortly after he left, David Casey, racked with guilt and unable to keep the secret any longer, went to the police with a shocking confession. David revealed that three men, David Glasser, Edward Frampton, and Robert Chadwell, had shown up at the property while he was working. The men threatened to kill him unless he used the excavator to bury three plastic wrapped bodies. Terrified, David complied, doing exactly what they demanded. When Daniel returned from Florida, he found his property swarming with police and crime scene tape. Investigators had
Starting point is 07:41:07 unearthed the dismembered remains of the three victims in shallow graves. The arrests, on September 12, 2011, police arrested four people in connection with the murders. David Casey, charged with complicity and kidnapping, he admitted to burying the bodies but claimed he had acted under duress. Adam Hall, the mastermind behind the killings, Adam faced charges of murder, kidnapping, and witness intimidation. David Chaloo, a 44-year-old with a criminal record and ties to the hell's angels. Caius Domitius Bovis, formerly Roy Wutfinski, perhaps the most bizarre figure in this case, Caius had a criminal history as dark as his eccentric persona. Caius was obsessed with ancient Rome and even legally changed his name in 2008 to reflect his
Starting point is 07:41:50 fascination. He claimed to be connected to the Roman Emperor's Caligula and Nero and believed he was a deity. His appearance matched his eccentricities, tattoos, scarification, and surgical modifications that made him look truly unsettling. His criminal past was just as disturbing. In 1999, he and his girlfriend kidnapped a woman, tortured her, and drank her blood. Both were convicted and served time, but Caius didn't learn his lesson. After his release, he committed similar crimes, landing him back in prison. Justice served, the trial painted a grim picture of what had happened. On August 27, 2011, Adam Hall showed up at the apartment of David Glasser, Edward Frampton, and Robert Chadwell. Pretending to forgive David, Adam convinced the group
Starting point is 07:42:36 to leave with him. Once outside, Adam and his accomplices, David Chaloo and Caius Bovis, turned on the three men, torturing and murdering them. The bodies were then dismembered and transported it to Beckett, where David Casey was forced to bury them. In 2014, Adam, David Chaloo, and Caius Bovis were all convicted and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Despite their efforts to fight the charges, the evidence was overwhelming. Surveillance footage, witness testimony, and forensic evidence sealed their fate. Caius, in particular, protested his innocence, claiming he was only being judged for his appearance and not for any actual involvement. But the jury didn't buy it, a special
Starting point is 07:43:16 after learning about his history and the fact that he had purchased a saw shortly before the murders, believed to have been used in the dismemberment. As for David Casey, he was sentenced to 30 months in prison for his role in burying the bodies. Final thoughts. This case raises some big questions about justice, fear, and the choices people make when they're caught in impossible situations. Was David Casey's sentence fair? Should he have been punished more harshly for staying silent initially, or was his cooperation enough to warrant leniency? Let me know what you think, this case is one for the books. Dorothy Ruth Stratton's story is one of tragic beauty, ambition, and a heartbreakingly short life. Born on February 28, 1960, in
Starting point is 07:43:58 Vancouver, Canada, Dorothy was the eldest of three children to Dutch immigrants Nellie and Simon Hoogstratten. Her early years were shaped by a mix of brilliance and modesty, but also by challenges. Some accounts say her father left the family when Dorothy was a child, others suggest it happened during her teenage years. Either way, she grew up fast and carried herself with a quiet determination. By 1977, Dorothy was a high school student at Centennial High School in Coquitlam. She was an excellent student, excelling in mathematics, literature, and sports. She wasn't just bright, she was a perfectionist, dedicated to whatever she pursued.
Starting point is 07:44:36 Yet despite her achievements, Dorothy struggled with self-esteem. She saw herself as plain and ordinary, constantly comparing herself to others. To support herself, Dorothy worked part-time at a dairy queen. Known for her punctuality and politeness, she was the ideal employee. But her life took a turn one fateful day when two men walked into the restaurant. One of them, a 26-year-old named Paul Leslie Snyder, couldn't take his eyes off her. That girl could make me a lot of money, he reportedly said. And with those words, Dorothy's world began to change.
Starting point is 07:45:09 Paul Snyder was a self-proclaimed promoter in a man with a flashy, eccentric style. He wore fur coats, gold chains, and flashy rings, driving a black corvette and always surrounding himself with beautiful women. Despite his outward charm, Paul's background hinted at a darker side. His parents' divorce forced him to drop out of school without finishing even primary education. But Paul was resourceful, building a reputation as a slick talker and opportunist. Paul approached Dorothy with confidence, quickly winning her trust. The two started dating, and Dorothy, innocent and inexperienced, was swept off her feet.
Starting point is 07:45:46 Her parents, however, were less enthusiastic. They saw something unsettling in Paul, a shadow they couldn't quite define. Still, Paul had a knack for winning people over. By the third meeting, Dorothy's parents were charmed. They invited him over for Sunday dinners, convinced he was a good match for their daughter. But Paul had secrets. He eventually revealed to Dorothy that he wasn't just a promoter but also a Pimp. Dorothy, shocked at first, asked him if he slept with the women he managed.
Starting point is 07:46:16 When he assured her he didn't, she let it go. Paul's next pitch was for Dorothy to become a model. He told her she was gorgeous and had the potential to be famous. Reluctantly, Dorothy agreed. Paul went all out, renting a studio and hiring a professional photographer for a lingerie photo shoot. The pictures turned out stunning, and Paul saw an opportunity, Playboy magazine. At first, Dorothy hesitated. Playboy was a big step, and she wasn't sure if she was ready. But Paul was persistent, convincing her that she was destined for stardom. The problem? Dorothy was only
Starting point is 07:46:52 18, and the legal age in Canada at the time was 19. Her parents' permission was required. When Dorothy approached them, they were furious and refused. But Paul, Paul, with his silver tongue, managed to convince them. Paul believed Dorothy's future as a Playboy Bunny would open doors to a glamorous life. To secure his place in that life, he proposed, and the two were married in June 1979. Dorothy changed her last name from Hoogstratten to Stratton, symbolizing a new chapter. Shortly after, Playboy's founder, Hugh Hefner, received Dorothy's photos and was captivated. He invited her to Los Angeles, flying her out personally.
Starting point is 07:47:31 Dorothy, shy and nervous, was hesitant. Paul reassured her, even suggesting she might need to sleep with Hefner but promised to stand by her. Two months into their marriage, Dorothy moved into the Playboy Mansion while Paul stayed behind in Canada. At the mansion, the image was one of luxury and freedom, but the reality was strict rules and constant surveillance. The women were under pressure to maintain perfection, with rules about curfews, uniforms,
Starting point is 07:47:56 and weight. They couldn't have boyfriends, work second jobs, or fail to attend regular health checks. Dorothy's sweetness and charm quickly won people over. By August 1979, she was featured as the centerfold in Playboy, a prestigious honor. But during her photo shoots, the phone kept ringing. It was Paul, incessantly calling to ask where she was, who she was with, and what she was wearing. Dorothy's constant need to ask Paul's permission for everything raised eyebrows. Her dependence on him was undeniable. Unable to stand being apart, Paul moved to Los Angeles, renting a house while Dorothy continued to live at the
Starting point is 07:48:33 mansion. However, Paul couldn't legally work in the U.S. due to his tourist visa, so Dorothy had to cover all their expenses. From rent to groceries and even Paul's personal spending, she paid for everything. The pressure on Dorothy was immense, but her career was taking off. Hethner saw her potential as an actress, helping her land small roles in TV series like Buck Rogers and Fantasy Island and movies like Americathon and Skatown, USA. Meanwhile, Paul's frustrations grew. In Canada, he had been a big fish in a small pond. Now, he was dependent on Dorothy, whose success only magnified his insecurities.
Starting point is 07:49:11 Desperate to make money, Paul tried various schemes, from selling Dorothy's belongings to launching a male escort business. None succeeded. Hethner and others urged Dorothy to leave him, calling him a leech, but she felt indebted to Paul for launching her career. By 1980, Dorothy Star was rising fast. She won Playboy's Playmate of the Year, receiving lavish gifts, including a jaguar and a fur coat. She also secured a lead role in the film They All Laugh, directed by Peter Bogdanovich.
Starting point is 07:49:41 While filming in New York, Dorothy began an affair with Peter. He treated her with kindness and respect, qualities she had never experienced with Paul. For the first time, she saw a future without him. Dorothy returned to Los Angeles in April 1980 for the Playmate of the Year ceremony, then headed to Canada for a press tour. But even while visiting her family, she couldn't stop thinking about Peter. She wrote to Paul, asking for space and hinting at a separation. Paul, however, was enraged. He accused her of having an affair and refused to let her go, insisting their marriage was sacred.
Starting point is 07:50:15 In June 1980, Dorothy wrote Paul another letter, this time declaring their marriage over. Paul's reaction was extreme. He drained their joint bank account, spent recklessly, through parties, and sold Dorothy's belongings, including her car and clothes. When that didn't get her attention, he hired a private investigator to track her every move. Dorothy, meanwhile, was oblivious. She was in love with Peter,
Starting point is 07:50:40 who proposed to her and invited her to move into his mansion in Bel Air. Paul's behavior grew increasingly erratic. He became obsessed with guns, showing them off to friends and making disturbing comments about hunting. Friends dismissed his outbursts as drunken exaggerations, but Paul's mental state was unraveling. When he learned of Dorothy's plans to divorce him, he demanded a lifetime share of her earnings. On August 14, 1980, Dorothy went to the house she once shared with Paul to discuss the divorce.
Starting point is 07:51:09 Friends warned her not to go alone, but Dorothy believed Paul wouldn't hurt her. She even turned down Peter's offer to pay Paul off, insisting she could handle it. That afternoon, Dorothy arrived at the house. Hours later, her car was still parked outside. Paul's roommates returned home around 8 p.m. to find the house. unusually quiet. Paul's bedroom door was locked, and there was no response. When they broke down the door, they discovered a horrifying scene. Dorothy and Paul were both dead, lying naked on the floor. Paul had shot Dorothy before turning the gun on himself. The news of Dorothy's
Starting point is 07:51:45 murder shocked the world. Peter was devastated, reportedly collapsing in grief. He spent all his money promoting they all laughed as a tribute to Dorothy, ultimately going bankrupt. Hugh Hefner called Paul a sick man who couldn't handle losing his golden ticket. Dorothy's death became a cautionary tale about ambition, control, and the dark side of fame. So, what do you think? Could this tragedy have been prevented, or was it an inevitable result of Paul's obsession in Dorothy's rise to stardom? Daniel Paul Rackowitz was born on December 24, 1960, in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He was the youngest of three children in the Rackowitz family. His father, Anthony Rackowitz, worked as a criminal investigator, for the United States Army, which meant the family had to move frequently.
Starting point is 07:52:31 Every time Daniel made new friends, he had to say goodbye soon after. But the real trouble began when he was just three years old. His mother tragically passed away while they were alone together in a hotel room. She suffered a fatal heart attack, and no one knows how long young Daniel stayed in the room with her body before help arrived. This event deeply traumatized him, leaving a lasting mark on his life. Just three months later, his father remarried, to his late wife. wife's younger sister. It was a quick and shocking transition for the young boy. At the age of five,
Starting point is 07:53:03 Daniel began telling his family that he was receiving visions from the three wise men. According to him, they spoke to him and gave him messages, claiming he had been chosen for a divine purpose. He believed he had special powers granted by God. With this belief, he began performing what he called miracles at school. No one knows exactly what these miracles entailed, but they were likely small favors or tricks, making objects disappear and reappear, giving away small gifts or offering advice. Convinced of his divine status, Daniel began telling everyone he was Jesus. This belief only grew stronger as he got older. He claimed to be the new Messiah, born on the same day and time as Jesus Christ. While some children believed his stories, others ridiculed him,
Starting point is 07:53:47 calling him a liar and a fantasist. The bullying escalated to physical violence, and Daniel's father decided to take action. Anthony Rackowitz enrolled Daniel in therapy, sending him first to psychologists and later to psychiatrists. He was prescribed various medications, but as Daniel entered adolescence, he became increasingly difficult to control. By this time, Anthony had left the army and taken a job as a sheriff's deputy in Texas. This career changed allowed him to spend more time at home, where he quickly realized how lost his son had become. Anthony's strict upbringing and law enforcement background clashed with Daniel's rebellious nature. Daniel refused to take his medication, skipped school, and frequently ran away. He also resented his father for
Starting point is 07:54:31 marrying his aunt, a fact he never hesitated to throw in his face. Desperate to manage his son, Anthony sent Daniel to various psychiatric facilities. Each time, Daniel would stay for a few weeks or months, only to return home and fall back into his old habits. He started using drugs, drinking heavily, and smoking marijuana. Anthony himself had to arrest his son on multiple occasions. Eventually, their relationship reached a breaking point. Anthony packed Daniel's belongings and kicked him out of the house. With nowhere else to turn, Daniel joined the army.
Starting point is 07:55:05 There are two versions of why he enlisted. One suggests he wanted to prove himself to his father and be allowed back home, while the other claims he simply needed a place to sleep and a way to earn money. Whatever the reason, military life didn't suit him. him, and he ended up homeless. In 1982, at the age of 22, Daniel married a 14-year-old girl. The relationship was abusive, with Daniel frequently threatening and controlling her. He later admitted to tying her to a refrigerator and leaving her there for 24 hours. He also told her horrifying stories, like how he allegedly gouged out a girl's eye with
Starting point is 07:55:39 a screwdriver or strangled another to death. While these claims remain unverified, they kept his young wife in constant fear. Eventually, Daniel abandoned her and moved to New York City at the age of 25. Arriving in Manhattan, Daniel headed straight for Tonkin Square Park in the East Village. In the 1980s, this area was infamous for its homeless population. The neighborhood was undergoing rapid gentrification, with wealthier residents moving in and driving up the cost of living. Many longtime residents found themselves priced out and living on the streets. Tompkins Square Park became a hub for displaced people, and tensions ran high. Daniel fit right into this chaotic environment.
Starting point is 07:56:20 He set up a makeshift camp, adopted a pet rooster named rooster, and started spreading his version of, the Gospel. Daniel claimed to be a chosen one, a new Messiah with divine powers. He talked about God, the devil, and achieving inner peace. He also sold marijuana, which attracted people to his camp. Once they were there, he would preach to them. Over time, he gained a small following and even founded at church, called the Church of 966.
Starting point is 07:56:47 His inspiration. None other than Charles Manson. Like Manson, Daniel dreamed of leading a devoted group of followers. He even believed he would become president of the United States in 1996. Despite his eccentricities, Daniel managed to gain some goodwill. He was known as a skilled cook and often prepared meals for the homeless community in the park. He made stews, soups, and other dishes, sharing them with those in need. However, darker rumors began to circulate.
Starting point is 07:57:16 People said he was killing animals, dogs, cats, and even his beloved rooster, as sacrifices. Daniel didn't deny these claims. Instead, he insisted that sacrificing animals gave him power. In August 1988, the police decided to clear out Tonkin Square Park. Gentrification efforts had reached a tipping point, and the authorities wanted to to remove the homeless population. A curfew was imposed, sparking protests from the park's residence. On the night of August 6, the police clashed with protesters in what became a violent and infamous event. By morning, the park was cleared, and Daniel had to find
Starting point is 07:57:53 a new home. Some sources say he got a part-time job as a cook, which allowed him to afford a small apartment. Others claim he continued selling drugs to make ends meet. Regardless, In 1989, Daniel moved into an apartment with a nurse named Sylvia and her boyfriend, Sean. Sylvia later described him as initially normal. When he moved in, he seemed like someone who had turned his life around. He had a home, a shower, and even a big TV. Daniel brought his three cats and rooster with him. Despite a few quirks, like his religious rants, he was a clean and respectful roommate. However, when Sylvia and Sean broke up and moved out, Daniel couldn't afford the rent alone. He needed a new roommate, which is when Monica Beeryl entered the picture.
Starting point is 07:58:36 Monica was a 26-year-old modern dancer from St. Gallen, Switzerland. She had an impressive resume, having studied choreography at the Sigurd Leader School and the Martha Graham School. To fund her studies, she had worked at Billy's Toplis, a strip club in Manhattan. Some accounts say she met Daniel there, while others suggest they met in the park. Either way, Daniel became infatuated with her. There are two versions of their relationship. Daniel and his friends claimed they were romantically involved, that drugs brought them together, and that they had been intimate multiple times. But Monica's friends insisted she was never interested in Daniel and only wanted to share the apartment temporarily. Monica's friends advised her to secure the
Starting point is 07:59:18 lease in her name, as Daniel's part-time job wasn't stable. She followed their advice, and once the lease was signed, she told Daniel he had to leave. Feeling betrayed and desperate, Daniel called Sylvia on August 18th, 1989. He told her he couldn't take it anymore, that Monica had betrayed him, and that he didn't want to be homeless again. I have to kill her, he said. Sylvia, thinking it was just another one of his delusional rants, played along but later began to worry he might be serious. The next day, Sylvia went to the apartment to check on Daniel. When no one answered, she used a spare key to enter.
Starting point is 07:59:54 The apartment was eerily clean, and the smell of soup filled the air. In the kitchen, she found a pot on the stove. Lifting the lid, she was horrified to see a human head, Monica's head, boiling inside. Most people would have called the police immediately, but Sylvia didn't. Instead, she searched the apartment, finding a blood-soaked bathroom with a torso in the bathtub. Panicked, she left and called Daniel, demanding an explanation. Daniel calmly confessed to killing Monica. He said he had strangled her with a cable, stabbed her multiple times, and dismembered
Starting point is 08:00:28 her body in the bathroom. He had flushed some parts down the toilet and decided to make soup with others. Over the next few days, Daniel bragged about the murder to anyone who would listen. He even claimed to have shared the soup with homeless people in the area, who reportedly found it delicious. The story spread, and on September 18, 1989, police arrested him. During his interrogation, Daniel freely confessed, describing the murder, dismemberment, and cooking process in graphic detail. Investigators searched his apartment but found no physical evidence, as he had meticulously cleaned the space.
Starting point is 08:01:03 However, he directed them to a storage unit where they found Monica's bones and skull. Daniel's trial began in February 1991. He was found not guilty by reason of insanity and committed to a state hospital for the criminally insane. Throughout the trial, he claimed the murder was a setup and that he had been coerced into confessing. Despite this, his sentence stood. Sylvia, who had failed to report the crime immediately, was never charged.
Starting point is 08:01:29 What do you think? Was justice served, or does this case leave too many unanswered questions? In just a few hours, a potential buyer showed up. The moment they saw what was being sold, they refused to pay and immediately accused David of trying to pass off parts of a car being restored by Adam Hall as his own. David, completely caught off guard, insisted he had no idea what the man was talking about. He explained that he'd simply found those parts lying on the side of the road near some dumpsters, and as far as he was concerned, he hadn't stolen anything.
Starting point is 08:02:00 But the man wasn't convinced. He stormed off and contacted Adam Hall. That encounter set the stage for what would unravel into a far more sinister tale. Let's rewind a bit. It was August 29, 2011. Daniel Cole, a property owner in Beckett, Massachusetts, was going about his usual day. In the days prior, Hurricane Irene had swept through the area, leaving its mark. But by that Monday morning, the skies had cleared, and everything seemed calm.
Starting point is 08:02:30 Daniel started his day early, heading out at 5 a.m. To inspect his large property. At first glance, everything looked fine. After completing his checks and chores, he returned home around 5 p.m. That's when he noticed something odd. One of the secondary roads on his property had fresh marks from heavy machinery, tracks that looked like they were left by an excavator. He hadn't planned for any work in that area, which raised questions.
Starting point is 08:02:56 He'd hired a man named David Casey to make some changes to his land, but that specific section wasn't supposed to be touched. Anoyed and confused, Daniel reached out to David for answers. Here's where accounts differ. Some say the two had a calm conversation where Daniel expressed his concerns, while others claim Daniel was livid, demanding to know why the excavator had been on the forbidden road. David, for his part, appeared clueless. He insisted he had no idea what Daniel was talking about and reiterated that he knew the area wasn't to be disturbed.
Starting point is 08:03:27 After some back and forth, Daniel decided to let it go, though he couldn't shake the unease. Two days later, he packed his bags and left for Florida to visit family. Daniel didn't know it then, but that trip would be cut short. Not long after he'd settled in Florida, his phone rang. On the other end was the police, urgently requesting that he returned her. home immediately. Without hesitation, Daniel packed up again and made the trip back. When he arrived, his property was unrecognizable. Police officers swarmed the area, reporters lingered outside, and his once peaceful home was now a chaotic crime scene. The source of the
Starting point is 08:04:03 commotion. Three lifeless bodies had been discovered on his land. This was just the beginning of what would become a dark and twisted case. But to truly understand it, we need to step back further and introduced two individuals who were strangers to Daniel Cole, David Glasser and Edward Frampton. The story of David and Edward. In 2011, David Glasser, then 44, shared a modest apartment with his close friend Edward Frampton, 58, on Linden Street in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Their story was one of resilience and friendship. Both men faced developmental challenges, but, with the support of social services and each other, managed to live semi-independent lives. David had endured a tough childhood.
Starting point is 08:04:44 Abandoned by his family and without any formal education, he struggled to find his footing. Diabetes complicated things further, whenever he experienced severe symptoms at work, employers often mistook it for drunkenness and fired him. Despite these hurdles, David was resourceful. By 44, he'd managed to juggle two jobs, selling scrap metal at a local yard and working as an unofficial taxi driver. He had a simple yet effective marketing strategy, he handed out business cards with his name, phone number, and email to everyone he met.
Starting point is 08:05:15 His cheerful personality and knack for connecting with people meant he quickly built a loyal customer base. His vehicle, a pickup truck, made him a go-to guy for moving jobs and other odd tasks. Everyone who knew David described him as kind-hearted and full of life. Edward, on the other hand, dedicated much of his time to raising awareness about the challenges faced by people with disabilities. Despite a difficult upbringing in social services, where he lived in foster homes until age 20, Edward remained optimistic and full of humor. His ability to see the best in people
Starting point is 08:05:47 inspired everyone he met. The two friends had built a life together, relying on each other through thick and thin. But their peaceful existence would be shattered by events that began to unfold in late August 2011. Hurricane Irene approaches, as Hurricane Irene loomed, warning spread across the region. The storm, active from August 21 to 28, was set to make landfall on the 27th, authorities urged residents to stay indoors, prepare for power outages, and avoid unnecessary travel. David and Edward, like many others, stocked up on essentials, including water and non-perishable food. However, they didn't plan to stay cooped up the entire time. They wanted to make the most of the storm, capturing photos and videos of the aftermath. To add to the adventure,
Starting point is 08:06:32 they invited another friend, 40-year-old Robert Chatwell, to join them. Robert, an outdoors enthusiast who loved camping and fishing, eagerly agreed. Their weekend plans seemed simple enough, explore, document the storm, and enjoy each other's company. But things began to take a dark turn on Saturday, August 27th. Saturday night, the last sighting, that evening, David, Edward, and Robert were at the apartment. Around 10.30 p.m., their neighbor Lisa knocked on their door. David's pickup truck was parked in a way that made it difficult for Lisa's mother to park when she visited in a few days. Lisa politely asked if he could move it. David assured her he'd take care of it soon. As they chatted, Lisa noticed something unusual. Inside the apartment, alongside
Starting point is 08:07:19 David and Edward, was a third man she didn't recognize. She couldn't shake the uneasy feeling he gave her, though nothing seemed overtly wrong. After their brief conversation, Lisa returned to her own apartment. That night, Lisa was awoken by loud noises coming from David and Edward's apartment. It sounded like shouting, but she brushed it off as playful banter among friends. She didn't think much of it and went back to sleep. The next morning, however, something felt off. David's truck was still parked in the same spot. Lisa, growing increasingly annoyed, decided to knock on their door again, but no one answered. Hours passed, and the truck remained unmoved. By Monday, August 29th, Lisa was fed up. Her mother was set to arrive, and the vehicle
Starting point is 08:08:04 was still blocking the space. She knocked once more, but again, no one came to the door. A growing concern. Meanwhile, Edward had a scheduled meeting with a social worker that Monday morning. When he didn't show up, the social worker became concerned. She went to their apartment and found the front door slightly ajar. Inside, everything appeared normal, except for one alarming detail. Edward's medication, which he never skipped, was untouched for the past two days. His cat, usually calm, seemed agitated and hungry. The social worker immediately called local hospitals, hoping to find any trace of the two men. When that yielded no results, she contacted the police.
Starting point is 08:08:45 The investigation begins, the police initially didn't treat the disappearance as urgent. Some reports suggest they waited until Wednesday, August 31st, to visit the apartment. By then, David and Edward had been missing for four days. Officers began by searching the apartment, which showed no signs of forced entry or theft. Next, they canvassed the neighborhood, speaking with residents and passers-by. Lisa shared her account of the strange man she'd seen and the noises she'd heard on Saturday night. Another key lead came from witnesses near a nearby bridge. They reported seeing two men dumping items, including clothing and bags, into the swollen
Starting point is 08:09:23 river during the storm. One of the men reportedly matched the description of Adam Hall, a name that sent chills down investigator spines. Hall was someone David had feared, a man he was scheduled to test against in court in just two weeks. Who was Adam Hall? Adam Hall was no ordinary man. A known associate of a dangerous gang, he had a reputation for intimidation and violence. David was said to testify against Hall in a case involving serious criminal charges. It became increasingly clear to investigators that Hall had both the motive and means to ensure
Starting point is 08:09:56 David never made it to the witness stand. This is just the beginning of a story that spirals deeper into darkness. But one thing is clear, David and Edward's disappearance was no accident, and the truth behind their fate would shock everyone involved. To be continued. The minutes ticked by, the silence in the pink room becoming heavier with each passing second. Then, in the distance, four gunshots echoed through the night. Everyone in the pink room immediately assumed someone had been killed.
Starting point is 08:10:25 Their deepest fear was that the victim might be Joey Odom. This tragic tale begins with the birth of an intriguing figure, Tony West. Born on August 11, 1952, in Anderson, Indiana, Tony was one of five children in what seemed to be a stable family. He was the only son among four sisters. In his early years, Tony was described as a pleasant and trouble-free child. However, life dealt him a series of devastating blows that shaped him into a very different man. At the age of nine, Tony's family relocated to Rock Spring, Georgia.
Starting point is 08:10:58 A year later, his father died in a car accident. Reports suggest that his father lost control of the vehicle on a sharp curve, plunging down a cliff. The sudden and brutal loss deeply scarred Tony. Adding to his trauma, Tony's mother remarried not long after. His stepfather was a strict police officer, and their relationship quickly soured. For Tony, it was unbearable to see another man take his father's place, especially one so rigid. Their constant clashes escalated to daily arguments, mutual insults, and outright disdain for
Starting point is 08:11:29 each other. Then, when Tony was just thirteen, his life took an even darker turn. One afternoon, Tony was asked to babysit his three-year-old nephew. What began as a playful day of chasing each other and pretending to sword fight turned tragic when Tony decided to bring out his stepfather's shotgun. What was meant to be harmless fun quickly spiraled out of control? Tony pointed the gun at the toddler, laughing as if it were a joke, and pulled the trigger, thinking it was unloaded. It wasn't. The child was killed instantly. Tony claimed it was an
Starting point is 08:12:01 accident, maintaining he had no intention of harming his nephew. Regardless, he was sent to a juvenile detention center until the age of 18. By the time he was released, whatever kindness or innocence he once had was gone. He turned to a life of crime, starting with petty theft before escalating to more serious offenses. By the age of 22, Tony was arrested and sentenced to two years in prison. But Tony wasn't one to play by the rules. He deemed two years far too long and orchestrated an escape. For five years, Tony evaded capture. During this time, he married and fathered five children, building a semblance of a normal life. However, this facade crumbled when, at 27, he was arrested again, this time for a much graver crime, attempting to murder his
Starting point is 08:12:47 brother-in-law, Kenneth. According to reports, Tony and Kenneth were drinking and playing poker when a heated argument erupted. The fight escalated until Tony grabbed a gun, shooting Kenneth four times, once in the head, once in the stomach, and twice in the back. Miraculously, Kenneth survived, and Tony received a three-year sentence for the attack. After his release in 1982, Tony found himself jobless and without direction. He moved into a trailer, which he later decided to share with a 17-year-old named Kenneth Avery Brock. Avery, or simply Avery, as he was known, had his own troubled past. Raised in Walker County, Georgia, Avery lost his father to a stroke at a young age.
Starting point is 08:13:28 His mother remarried, but Avery's relationship with his stepfather was toxic and abusive. Avery endured years of physical and emotional mistreatment before his stepfather ultimately kicked him out at 17. Homeless and desperate, Avery met Tony, who quickly became a father figure. to him. The two bonded over their shared hardships, but their lifestyle was far from stable. Living in the trailer together, Tony and Avery spent their days in a haze of drug use, particularly abusing a mixture of glue and paint thinner they called Tolu. Their lives were chaotic and aimless until they heard about corpsewood manor. The stories surrounding the
Starting point is 08:14:03 mansion were as intriguing as they were bizarre. It was said to be a secluded house deep in the Georgia woods, filled with unimaginable riches and owned by two eccentric men, Dr. Charles Scudder and Joey Odom. Some tales described wild parties of drugs and debauchery, while others hinted at occult rituals and satanic worship. Dr. Charles Scudder was born in 1926 in Wisconsin to a wealthy family. A brilliant man, he excelled in academia, earning degrees in zoology, chemistry, and a doctorate in pharmacology. He became a respected scientist and professor at Loyola University in Chicago, where he conducted research on LSD. Despite his professional success, Charles had a penchant for the eccentric.
Starting point is 08:14:44 Known for his flamboyant style, dyed purple hair, and exotic pets, he was anything but ordinary. Over time, he grew disillusioned with city life and sought a quieter existence. Joey Odom, on the other hand, came from humbler beginnings. Born in 1938, Joey discovered his love for cooking early in life. By the age of 21, he became Charles's personal chef, and their professional relationship soon blossomed into a romantic one. After 17 years of working together, the two decided to leave their old lives behind. They sold Charles's Chicago Mansion and purchased 40 acres of land in Georgia, where they built their dream home, Corpsewood Manor. The mansion was unconventional in every sense.
Starting point is 08:15:26 Built without electricity or running water, it featured peculiar architecture, including a complete absence of corners to ward off evil spirits. Surrounded by barren, skeletal trees, the property lived up to its eerie name. Despite its remote location, the couple soon opened their doors to neighbors and travelers, hosting dinners, and occasional parties in their pink room, a space above their barn. Rumors about the pink room quickly spiraled out of control. Locals claimed it was the site of orgies, occult rituals, and even satanic ceremonies. Some said the mansion was filled with pentagrams, inverted crosses, and other macabre symbols.
Starting point is 08:16:03 While Charles was indeed a member of the Church of Satan, his affiliation was philosophical rather than literal, emphasizing individuality in freedom. Tony and Avery, fueled by their own fantasies and desperation, became obsessed with these stories. Believing the mansion was a treasure trove, they concocted a plan to rob Charles and Joey. On December 12, 1982, armed with a rifle and a knife, they set off for corpsewood manner,
Starting point is 08:16:28 bringing along Tony's teenage nephew, Joey Wells, and his girlfriend, Teresa Hens. The teens were told they were going to a party, oblivious to Tony and Avery's true intention. When they arrived, Charles and Joey welcomed them warmly, offering homemade wine and pleasant conversation. The group eventually moved to the pink room, where Charles played host. At some point, Avery left under the pretense of retrieving drugs from the car. Instead, he returned with a rifle, pointing it at Charles.
Starting point is 08:16:56 Initially, Charles thought it was a joke, but the situation quickly turned deadly. Avery demanded money, but Charles calmly explained that he had none, their wealth was in their lifestyle, not cash. not cash. Enraged, Avery attacked Charles, tying him up while Tony went to confront Joey Odom in the main house. Moments later, gunshots echoed through the night. Avery returned to the pink room, announcing that Joey was dead. Charles, devastated, was dragged to see Joey's lifeless body, where he broke down completely. Despite his pleas, Tony shot Charles in the head, killing him instantly. The group ransacked the house but found no money. Frustrated, Tony attempted to assault Teresa, but her screams forced him to abandon the idea.
Starting point is 08:17:40 The four fled in Charles's conspicuous car, eventually ditching Joey Wells and Teresa at Tony's sister's house. The duo continued their crime spree, murdering a young Navy lieutenant named Kirby Phelps during a botched carjacking. Authorities quickly pieced together the events. Teresa, after days of captivity, managed to escape and alert the police. The crime scene at Corpsewood Manor shocked investigators, and a manhunt ensued.
Starting point is 08:18:04 Tony and Avery's faces were plastered across news outlets, with sensational headlines painting Charles and Joey as deviant Satanists. Public sympathy leaned disturbingly toward the killers, fueled by prejudice and misinformation. Eventually, both men surrendered. Despite their attempts to justify their actions, the evidence was overwhelming. They were sentenced to life in prison without parole. While justice was served, the case remains a chilling reminder of how fear and ignorance can overshadow the truth. This story is one of the most chilling and surreal tales of crime I've
Starting point is 08:18:38 come across, blending a narrative of trust betrayed and a descent into darkness. To fully unpack this case, I'll recount it in detail, adding nuances and elements that create a more immersive reading experience while maintaining the informal and unique tone you've requested. Let's dive into the eerie events surrounding Christina Soledad Sanchez Esquivel, her gruesome deeds, and the horrifying realities of her crimes. Brace yourself, because this story is equal parts shocking and tragic. It all began on June 5, 2010, in Saltia, Coahuila, Mexico. The sun was high in the sky as a woman waved her hand to hail a taxi. Drivers honked and slowed down, but she hesitated, scanning the vehicles and their drivers
Starting point is 08:19:19 with visible discomfort. She seemed overly cautious, stepping back at the sight of some cars. For context, kidnappings and crimes involving public transport, including taxis, Uber, and even buses, are not uncommon in Mexico. Women, in particular, are often the targets, and this woman appeared to be aware of that grim reality. Eventually, a Nissan Suru taxi pulled up, driven by a 62-year-old man named Hector Manuel Nario Balderas. The woman approached, opened the rear door, and climbed in.
Starting point is 08:19:51 As they settled into the ride, she shared bits of her story, mentioning that she had lost her bus ticket to Garcia, Nuevo Leon, just moments before. Nervously, she expressed concern about the fair, knowing the trip would take nearly an hour. Ector reassured her, quoting 500 pesos, about $26 U.S. dollars, for the ride, with an additional charge if she carried luggage. Though she seemed uneasy, her urgency won out, and she agreed to the fair. For the first few minutes, the ride was normal. The woman was polite, friendly, and even chatty.
Starting point is 08:20:23 Ector found her pleasant company and had no reason to suspect anything unusual. But as they approached Garcia, the atmosphere shifted. The woman suddenly asked Ector to make a detour to Los Arcos de Icomol, a remote area about 12 kilometers out of the way. Though puzzled, Ector agreed, taking a dirt road into increasingly desolate terrain. The betrayal, as the dirt road stretched endlessly, Ector noticed something strange, there were no houses in sight. When he voiced his concerns, the woman insisted they were close to her family's home, where her relatives would pay the fare.
Starting point is 08:20:57 Still uneasy but unwilling to argue, Ector complied, driving a little further. But the scenery didn't change, there was still nothing but barren land. Eventually, Ector had enough. He stopped the car and told the woman he wasn't going any farther. That's when she made her move. In a chilling transformation, she slid from the rear passenger seat to directly behind him. Before Ector could react, she pulled out a knife. In one swift motion, she grabbed him and began stabbing him while shouting,
Starting point is 08:21:27 Osta Aki le Gaist, this is where you end. Struggling against her assault, Ector fought for his life. The seatbelt, which had once ensured his safety, now became his enemy, restricting his movements. Despite his injuries and the terror of the moment, Ector refused to give up. Summoning his strength, he managed to push her off and escape the car. He ran as fast as he could, clutching a piece of wood as a makeshift weapon. In the distance, he spotted what looked like people and headed toward them. The figures turned out to be children playing near a ranch.
Starting point is 08:21:59 Ector shouted for help, and two adults, Rolando Castanara and Felipe Solis, emerged from the nearby property. They immediately assisted him, and Ector, still shaken, insisted on calling the police instead of an ambulance. When the authorities arrived, Ector recounted the horrifying ordeal. He described the woman, her knife attack. and how she had stolen his taxi. A twisted chase, in an unexpected stroke of luck, the police found the stolen taxi almost immediately. The woman hadn't gone far, and a high-speed chase ensued.
Starting point is 08:22:31 It ended in an accident, though she miraculously emerged and scathed. Upon her capture, the woman, later identified as Christina Soledadad Sanchez Esquivel, denied everything. She even accused Ector of attempting to assault her. But this was just the beginning of a nightmarish revelation. Who was Christina? Christina was born in 1979 in Nuevo Leon, Mexico, into an extremely impoverished family. Details of her early life are sparse, but rumors suggest a childhood marred by abuse, including
Starting point is 08:23:02 by her own father. This trauma allegedly fueled a deep hatred for men. By the time she was 16, Christina had her first child, a daughter named Maria Guadalupe. Over the years, she gave birth to five more children. Despite her troubled past, neighbors described her as a devoted mother and a hard-working plumber who toiled long hours to support her family. However, two conflicting narratives emerged about her life leading up to the crimes. One claimed that financial difficulties forced her to leave her children with their father
Starting point is 08:23:32 while she worked elsewhere. The other suggested she abandoned her family to pursue relationships with different men. The confession, under interrogation, Christina shocked investigators with a cold and calculated confession. Not only did she admit to attacking Ector, but she also revealed that she had killed multiple taxi drivers over the preceding months. Her goal. To steal and sell their cars. She expressed no remorse, only frustration that Ector had managed to escape. Christina revealed that she didn't work alone.
Starting point is 08:24:03 She had three accomplices, an adult man and two teenagers. Their plan was chillingly simple. Christina, posing as an innocent passenger, would hail a taxi and choose drivers who appear. appeared weak or elderly. Once in the car, she would gain their trust before directing them to a remote area. There, she would attack them with a knife. After incapacitating the drivers, the group would dump the bodies into a well-known as La Boca del Inferno, the mouth of hell. This narrow, 45-centimeter-wide shaft extended 700 meters into the earth, where heat and decay would quickly destroy the evidence. Uncovering the horrors, Christina's confession sent shockwaves
Starting point is 08:24:42 through the police force and the media. Investigators began connecting her to the disappearances of several local taxi drivers. They showed her photographs of missing men, and she identified multiple victims, including Abel Mendoza Hernandez, Jose Alfonso Quiraz Gregorios, and Lorenzo Al-Iman. Most were older men, though one victim, Omar Perez Velasquez, was only 31. As the case unraveled, a survivor came forward. A 24-year-old taxi driver recounted how Christina and her accomplices had attacked him, stuffed him into the trunk of his own car, and driven off. In a moment of bravery and
Starting point is 08:25:17 quick thinking, he had managed to escape by opening the trunk and fleeing into the brush. Arrests and revelations, the police soon arrested Christina's main accomplice, Aaron Herrera Perez, known as L. Azteca, and two teenagers believed to be involved. Aaron painted Christina as the mastermind, describing her as the one who orchestrated and commanded the crimes. According to him, she paid her accomplices a meager 300 pesos per murder. Psychological evaluations revealed Christina's antisocial tendencies, emotional coldness, and sadistic nature. Despite her shocking demeanor, she became known in the media as La Plummer, the Plummer, and La Mattaxistas, the Taxi Killer. Justice
Starting point is 08:25:58 In December 2012, Christina was sentenced to 195 years in prison, while Aaron received 152 years. However, due to Mexican law's capping sentences, they will each serve a maximum of 50 years. Christina protested her sentence, claiming she was innocent and misunderstood. In 2014, an appeal reduced their sentences to 65 years and 11 months, but the 50-year limit remains. What do you think, though? Were these sentences fair? Could anything have prevented such a tragic series of events? The story of Christina Soledad Sanchez Esquivel remains a haunting reminder of how quickly trust can turn into terror.
Starting point is 08:26:38 The chilling case of Beverly Alit, the Angel of Death, let me take you back to 1991. a year that started like any other in Lincolnshire, England. But what unfolded in the small pediatric ward of Grantham and Kasteven Hospital shocked not just the local community but the entire world. It's a story so bizarre, so horrifying, that it feels like it was pulled straight out of a crime thriller. This is the tale of Beverly Allit, a nurse whose angelic facade masked something far more sinister. The red flags begin early, born on October 4, 1968, in Corby, England, Beverly Allit was the second of
Starting point is 08:27:12 four kids in a working-class family. Her dad, Richard, held down jobs without formal qualifications, while her mom worked as a school cleaner. Beverly wasn't what you'd call remarkable as a child. She didn't excel in school, far from it. Her grades were mediocre, and she didn't stand out in sports, arts, or pretty much anything else. But what Beverly lacked in talent, she made up for in drama. From a young age, she craved attention and wasn't afraid to bend the truth, or outright lie, to get it. Teachers and classmates noticed she often appeared with self-inflicted injuries. Cuts, bruises, mysterious illnesses, Beverly had them all. She'd go to great lengths to bandage herself up, often pretending to have injuries far worse than they were. Her family saw it too,
Starting point is 08:27:58 but they dismissed it. Oh, she's just seeking attention, they thought. Nobody saw the deeper issues brewing underneath. By her teenage years, she'd developed a habit of faking illnesses, is, hopping between doctors and even crafting elaborate lies about her health. She was so convincing that even medical professionals were duped. A troubling path into nursing, at 16, Beverly dropped out of school, much to nobody's surprise. But when she turned 18, she befriended a nurse who sparked her interest in the medical field. That nurse handed her study materials, and Beverly, for once, seemed genuinely excited about something.
Starting point is 08:28:35 She decided to enroll in nursing school. While in training at Grantham College, her odd behavior continued. She constantly showed up with bandaged fingers, complained about phantom illnesses, and even wrapped herself in makeshift casts. Her absenteeism raised eyebrows, she missed classes frequently, often arriving late when she did bother to show up. Yet somehow, despite her erratic attendance and dubious commitment, she managed to scrape through her exams.
Starting point is 08:29:01 By the late 1980s, Beverly landed her first real job in the field, a pediatric nurse at Grantham and Kasteven Hospital. Given the chronic staffing shortages, they practically hired her on the spot. It seemed like a dream job to her. But for the children who would cross her path, it was a nightmare waiting to unfold. A trail of tragedy begins. On February 21st, 1991, Beverly began working at the hospital. It didn't take long for the mysterious incidents to start piling up. Her first victim was a seven-month-old boy named Liam Taylor. He had respiratory issues, but doctors reassured his parents that his condition wasn't serious. Beverly comforted them, promising to take extra good care of him.
Starting point is 08:29:43 Yet, when Liam was left alone with her, he suddenly went into respiratory failure. The medical team rushed to save him, stabilizing him briefly, but the baby collapsed again later that night and tragically passed away. Strangely, the monitoring alarms, designed to alert staff if something went wrong, never went off. It was baffling. How could a healthy baby deteriorate so quickly? without any warning signs. Just weeks later, an 11-year-old boy named Timothy Hardwick was admitted after an epileptic seizure. Under Beverly's watch, Timothy's condition took a fatal
Starting point is 08:30:16 turn. His death was chalked up to his pre-existing condition, but once again, the alarm system failed to work, raising more questions. Then came one-year-old Kaylee Desmond. She was admitted with mild breathing difficulties, only to suffer cardiac arrest hours later. While she was resuscitated and transferred to another hospital, doctors discovered something alarming, a small puncture mark under her arm, along with an air bubble, suggesting someone had injected her with something. Yet no investigation was launched. The pattern continued. Paul Crampton, a five-month-old baby with a minor chest infection, suddenly suffered three unexplained insulin shocks. A five-year-old boy named Bradley Gibson was admitted with pneumonia,
Starting point is 08:30:58 only to experience two cardiac arrests under Beverly's care. Each time, she was the last nurse to see the children alive or stable, but no one suspected her. Not yet. Just a string of bad luck, they said. Between February and April 1991, Beverly's ward saw an unprecedented spike in emergencies. Doctors and nurses began whispering about the bad luck that seemed to plague the pediatric unit. But nobody connected the dots. Instead, they assumed it was a coincidence or a series of unfortunate events. Even when the tragic deaths of twins Becky and Katie Phillips occurred, Beverly somehow evaded suspicion. Becky died at home after being discharged, while Katie, who was readmitted for observation,
Starting point is 08:31:41 suffered brain damage and paralysis after two sudden attacks. Katie's mother was so grateful to Beverly for saving her daughter that she even asked her to be Katie's godmother, a cruel irony, given what we now know. The break in the case, by April, 14 children had suffered mysterious medical emergencies, and four of them had died. The staff couldn't ignore it any longer. Something was seriously wrong. On April 30th, 1991, Detective Stuart Clifton was called in to investigate.
Starting point is 08:32:11 It didn't take him long to uncover a disturbing pattern, Beverly Allit was present at every single incident. But proving her guilt wasn't easy. There were no cameras, no witnesses, and no concrete evidence tying her to the crimes. The breakthrough came when doctors at Nottingham Hospital analyzed blood samples from the surviving children. They found dangerously high levels of insulin and potassium, substances that could cause cardiac arrest if administered in the wrong doses. Arrest in trial, on May 21, 1991, Beverly was arrested. During questioning, she remained calm and emotionless, denying any involvement.
Starting point is 08:32:47 A search of her home turned up a single syringe, but little else. The lack of physical evidence meant that prosecutors had to build their case largely on circumstantial evidence and the testimony of medical experts. Her trial began in February 1993. Over the course of two months, jurors heard how Beverly had deliberately injected children with insulin, potassium, and even air bubbles to cause their collapses. Psychologists testified that she likely suffered from Munchausen syndrome by proxy, a condition where caregivers harm others to gain attention and sympathy. In May 1993, Beverly Allit was found guilty of four counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder, and six counts of grievous bodily harm. She was sentenced to 13 life terms,
Starting point is 08:33:29 a sentence so severe that the judge recommended she never be released. A twisted legacy, to this day, Beverly Alit remains one of the most infamous medical serial killers in history. Her crimes shook the medical world and led to sweeping changes in hospital protocols to prevent similar tragedies. She's currently serving her sentence in a high-security psychiatric hospital. So, what do you think? Could she have been stopped earlier? Or was she just too good at hiding her dark side? One thing's for sure, Beverly Alit's story is a chilling reminder that sometimes, the people we trust the most can betray us in the worst possible way.
Starting point is 08:34:05 This story begins in London, a city known for its charm and bustling life, yet capable of hiding dark and unimaginable horrors. It revolves around two sisters, Biba Henry and Nicole Smolman, whose lives were tragically intertwined with an act of evil no one could foresee. Biba, born in 1974, was the daughter of Mina Smallman, a trailblazing woman who became the first female archdeacon of the Church of England. Her father, German Henry, was equally accomplished. Biba grew up with an unshakable sense of confidence and a passion for helping others, which
Starting point is 08:34:37 led her to a career in social services. She was a woman who radiated strength and was deeply respected by those who knew her. She didn't care about fitting into societal expectations, her free spirit shone through her love for art and photography. Nicole's adventurous spirit led her to study at the London School of Arts, and by her second year, she was thriving. Her days were filled with work, school, and laughter, especially after moving in with Biba, who lived just a short distance from the university.
Starting point is 08:35:05 The sisters were inseparable, creating a little world of joy within their shared home. Life was good. The celebration, June 5, 2020, was a special day. Biba was turning 46, and though the world was gripped by COVID, 19 restrictions, the sisters refused to let that dampen their spirits. They planned a small celebration at Friant Country Park with a group of friends, a simple picnic in the sun. That Friday, Biba and Nicole dressed up, filled their shopping bags with snacks and drinks, and headed to the park. Surveillance cameras captured their cheerful trip
Starting point is 08:35:38 to the store in Kingsbury, where they bought supplies before arriving at Friant Country Park at 6.38 p.m. It was a perfect day, blue skies, warm weather, and laughter echoing across the park. As the evening wore on, the group began to disperse. One by one, friends said their goodbyes until only Biba, Nicole, and Nicole's boyfriend, Adam, remained. Adam had work early the next morning, so he left, trusting the sisters would soon follow. But after that message, silence. The morning after, the next morning, Adam woke up to find no messages from Nicole. It wasn't like her to ignore him. He texted her again but received no response. Concerned, He messaged Biba, but she also didn't reply.
Starting point is 08:36:22 Hannock started to creep in. Adam reached out to their housemates, but they hadn't seen the sisters since the previous evening. Adam knew this wasn't just a case of oversleeping. Nicole was meticulous, especially when it came to her pet, a bearded dragon that required strict feeding times. She never missed them. Something was wrong. Adam called everyone he could think of, family, friends, and acquaintances.
Starting point is 08:36:47 No one had heard from the sisters. Desperate, he went to the police to report them missing. Instead of taking him seriously, officers dismissed his concerns. They chalked it up to the sisters likely being out late or staying with friends. After all, they were adults, right? Frustrated by the lack of action, Adam contacted Mina, Biba, and Nicole's mother. Together, they launched their own investigation. They scoured social media, hoping for any sign of activity, but there was nothing.
Starting point is 08:37:17 It was as if the sisters had vanished into thin air. The grim discovery, by Sunday, June 7, two days after the sisters were last seen, the family decided to search Friant Country Park themselves. Adam, Mina, and Nicole's best friend, Nina, met at the park's entrance. They combed through the grassy fields and wooded areas, determined to find any clue. It wasn't long before they stumbled upon Biba's sunglasses. To some, this might not have been alarming, but Mina knew her daughter never parted with those glasses, they were practically an extension of her.
Starting point is 08:37:49 Alarm bells rang in their minds. The group split up. Mina rushed to the police station with the glasses to report their findings, while Adam and Nina continued searching the park. They soon found something far more chilling, a bloodied knife hidden in the grass. Not far from there, behind some bushes, they made the horrifying discovery, Biba and Nicole's lifeless bodies. A mockery of justice, the scene quickly became a frenzy of activity.
Starting point is 08:38:15 Forensic teams and police arrived, securing the area and collecting evidence. But amidst the chaos, something unthinkable happened. Two police officers, Denise Jaffer and Jamie Lewis, decided it would be amusing to take selfies with the sister's bodies. These officers not only desecrated the scene but also shared the photos in a WhatsApp group, captioning them with the words, two dead birds. This callous behavior shocked the nation. Initially, the officers were merely suspended, but public outrage led to their eventual. conviction in 2021. They were sentenced to two years and nine months in prison, a small victory
Starting point is 08:38:50 for the family, but a glaring reminder of the system's failures. Tracking the killer, the investigation moved swiftly after the discovery of the sister's bodies. The knife found at the scene held three DNA profiles, Biba's, Nichols, and an unknown male. Police cross-referenced the male DNA with their database and found a match, 19-year-old Daniel Hussein. Further evidence tied Daniel to the crime. He had purchased the knife just days before the murders, and surveillance footage showed him leaving his home on June 5th, dressed neatly, only to return early the next morning dishevelled, bloodied, and clutching an injured hand. When police raided Daniel's home, they found something even more disturbing, a handwritten contract addressed to a
Starting point is 08:39:32 demon named Lucifuge Roficale. In the letter, Daniel pledged to kill six women every six months in exchange for wealth, power, and protection from getting caught. He even signed the document. in his own blood. The trial and aftermath, Daniel's trial began on June 9, 2021. Prosecutors painted a chilling picture of a young man consumed by delusions of grandeur and twisted beliefs. The court heard how Daniel had been influenced by extremist content and had dabbled in occult practices, believing he could gain supernatural power through human sacrifice. Despite his defense team's attempts to portray him as mentally unstable, the evidence was overwhelming. On July 6, 2021, Daniel Hussein was found guilty of murder and sentenced to a minimum
Starting point is 08:40:16 of 37 years in prison. The case didn't end there. Authorities also targeted the online platforms and communities that had fueled Daniel's descent into darkness. A prominent YouTuber associated with the satanic cult that influenced Daniel was banned from the platform, marking a small but significant step toward preventing similar tragedies. Reflection, this case is a haunting reminder of the darkness that can lurk beneath the surface of seemingly ordinary lives. Biba and Nicole were vibrant, loving, and full of life. Their bond was unbreakable, even in death. While justice was served, the scars left behind by this tragedy will never fully heal.
Starting point is 08:40:54 The failures of the police, both in their initial dismissal of the missing persons report and the despicable actions of Jaffer and Lewis, highlight the need for systemic change. At the same time, the case serves as a stark warning about the dangers of unchecked extremism, and the power of harmful ideologies. What do you think? Do you believe the sentences were enough to bring justice to Biba and Nicole? Could this tragedy have been prevented? Andrea Bowman's story is one of those that stick with you,
Starting point is 08:41:21 it's got all the elements of a tragic mystery, a troubled teen, dark family secrets, and a shocking ending that leaves you speechless. Let's unpack this entire story, step by step, in a way that's easy to follow but gives every chilling detail the weight it deserves. The beginning of a storm, Andrea Bowman didn't have an easy time growing up. From the outside, she seemed like any other teenager. But things spiraled when, supposedly, she was told she was adopted.
Starting point is 08:41:48 For most people, that's a life-changing revelation, and for Andrea, it was the spark that set everything ablaze. She didn't take the news well. From there, her behavior started to change drastically. She began acting out, arguing with her parents, running with the wrong crowd, dabbling in drugs, and disappearing from home for days on end. Nothing made sense to her anymore, and she couldn't trust anyone. To make matters worse, she began weaving elaborate lies about her life.
Starting point is 08:42:16 These weren't little white lies either. She told teachers, classmates, and even her church community that her adopted parents were abusing her. She said her father was especially cruel. This wasn't the type of story you could ignore, so people tried to intervene. Teachers brought her parents in for talks. The church made her face her parents and confessed the truth. Andrea would always back down, admitting she'd lied, but by then, it was clear to everyone that
Starting point is 08:42:42 something was deeply wrong. Concerned, her parents took her to see a psychologist. But nothing seemed to improve. The day she vanished, things hit their breaking point on March 11, 1989. It started as just another Saturday. Dennis Bowman, Andrea's adoptive father, dropped her off at school for banned practice. Afterward, he picked her up and brought her home. Andrea went to her room to do some homework while her mom, Brenda, got ready for work.
Starting point is 08:43:10 That day, Dennis was going to drive Brenda to work, and since they had a young baby, Vanessa, he decided to bring her along for the ride. The plan was simple, leave Andrea home alone with no distractions so she could focus on her studies. Dennis and Brenda dropped off Vanessa at work, then Dennis and the baby returned home. When he got back, though, Andrea was gone. Her room was empty, her suitcase and some clothes were missing, and, to make things worse, so was some money from the family's church fund. Dennis, angry and probably feeling betrayed, called the police to report not just her disappearance but also the theft. What followed were months, even years, of uncertainty.
Starting point is 08:43:50 Sightings of Andrea popped up everywhere, in different states, at strip clubs, with rumors of her being pregnant or dyeing her hair to avoid being recognized. But every lead came to nothing. Eventually, Dennis and Brenda stopped looking for her. They assumed she'd left on her own and was living her life somewhere far away. By the time 2010 rolled around, they saw no point in digging up the past. For them, it was a closed chapter. But for people like Kathy and Carl, who knew the family and were deeply unsettled by this case, it was far from over.
Starting point is 08:44:23 A dark parallel, the case took a chilling turn when Kathy and Carl learned about a woman named Mehta McLeod. Meta had a horrifying story of her own. Back in 1989, the same year Andrea disappeared, six-year-old Mehta was abducted while riding her bike to a friend's house. She'd been approached by a man driving a rusty red pickup truck. The man told her he was a friend of her parents and offered to take her to see some puppies. Being a child, Meta trusted him.
Starting point is 08:44:50 What followed was every parent's nightmare. The man drove her deep into the woods, attacked her, and left her tied up and naked. Fortunately, she managed to escape and report the incident to the police. Despite her vivid description of the man in his truck, the attacker was never caught. Meta, now an adult, started connecting the dots between her case and Andrea's. When she saw a photo of Dennis Bowman, Andrea's adoptive father, she was struck. That's the man who kidnapped me, she said. The truck, his route to work, even his behavior, everything matched.
Starting point is 08:45:23 Suddenly, Andrea's disappearance didn't look voluntary anymore. Skeletons in the closet, Kathy and Carl dug deeper into Dennis Bowman's past, and what they found was disturbing. Using the Freedom of Information Act, they accessed his criminal history. Turns out, Dennis had been arrested in 1980 for attempting to abduct a teenager at gunpoint. He'd shot at her feet, tried to force her into his truck, and was only stopped when she managed to escape. He went to prison for this, but was released in 1986. In 1998, Dennis was arrested again, this time for breaking into a co-worker's house and stealing her underwear. He was sentenced to a year in jail. In a letter to the judge,
Starting point is 08:46:03 Dennis bizarrely mentioned being a devoted father to two daughters, even though Andrea had been missing for years. This letter seemed like a desperate attempt to paint himself as a family man, but it only added to the suspicion. Even more damning were the testimonies from Andrea's friends. They contradicted the Bowman family's narrative that Andrea was a rebellious teen. According to them, she wasn't on drugs or running with bad crowds. Instead, she'd confided in them about the abuse she suffered at home, particularly at the hands of Dennis. They said she'd often hide at their houses, terrified to go back. Clues in plain sight, Kathy became obsessed with the Bowman's house, both their old one and the new one they'd moved to shortly after Andrea disappeared.
Starting point is 08:46:45 On Google Maps, she noticed something odd, changes to the landscaping in their backyard. One spot, in particular, had been altered repeatedly over the years. She became convinced this was where Andrea's body was buried. Despite her pleas, the police didn't find her suspicions enough to warrant a search. Frustrated but determined, Kathy took matters into her own hands. She put up a massive billboard near the Bowman's house with Andrea's missing person poster. She also distributed flyers, spoke to neighbors, and even called the Bowman's repeatedly to confront them. The pressure became so intense that Brenda Bowman went to the police to file a harassment complaint
Starting point is 08:47:22 against Kathy. The break in the case, in November 2019, everything changed. Dennis Bowman was arrested for the 1980 murder of Kathleen Doyle, a 25-year-old woman from Virginia. Kathleen had been found brutally murdered in her home, stabbed, strangled, and burned with a cigar. DNA evidence from the crime scene matched Dennis Bowman and his alibi crumbled under scrutiny. During questioning, Dennis initially denied everything but eventually confessed to the crime. His excuse. He claimed he'd been drunk and looking for money when he broke into Kathleen's house.
Starting point is 08:47:57 He said they struggled, and he accidentally killed her. The evidence told a different story, one of premeditated violence. With Dennis now facing life in prison, investigators decided to revisit Andrea's case. At first, Dennis stuck to his story that Andrea had run away. But under pressure, and with the promise of serving his sentence in Michigan instead of Virginia, he began to talk. A horrifying confession. Dennis's first version of events was that he'd caught Andrea packing to leave. They argued, and during the fight, he pushed her. She fell down the stairs and died. Panicked, he claimed he dismembered her body, put it in a box, and left it out for
Starting point is 08:48:36 the garbage truck. When no one believed this story, he changed it. In his second confession, he admitted to burying Andrea in the backyard of their new home. This time, he said he'd wrapped her body in a sheet, buried her carefully, and even sprinkled cinnamon over the grave to mask any odors. Finally, in February 2020, Dennis led investigators to the exact spot in the backyard. There, buried in a barrel filled with trash and debris, where Andrea's remains. It was a heartbreaking discovery, confirming the worst fears of those who'd fought so hard to find the truth. Justice, but at what cost?
Starting point is 08:49:12 On May 15, 2020, Dennis Bowman was formally charged with Andrea's murder. For the murder of Kathleen Doyle, he received two life sentences.

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